Terminally-ill football fan postpones his visit to euthanasia clinic to watch one last match
20,000 fans packed into the Club Brugge stadium to give 41-year-old Lorenzo Schoonbaert an emotional reception
A terminally-ill football fan postponed his visit to a euthanasia clinic - for one final visit to his beloved team.
Lorenzo Schoonbaert and his seven-year-old daughter Dina went on to the pitch before Club Brugge's game on Sunday.
20,000 fans of the Belgian first division club packed into the stadium to give the 41-year-old an emotional reception.
Lorenzo, a football fan all his life, was invited to blow the ref's whistle to start the match against local rivals Moeskroen.
He told fellow supporters, who made him a banner reading You'll Never Walk Alone, he had not hoped for such a touching goodbye.
He said: "This is my dearest wish before I die to see my team win one more game."
Lorenzo had endured 37 operations over the past 20 years and surgeons gave up any hope of saving his life.
Doctors had agreed under Belgium's liberal euthanasia laws to allow him to die.
But the date was delayed so he could visit the Jan Breydel Stadium once more - and his final wish came true as Club Brugge won.
Lorenzo and his daughter watched an exciting game from VIP seats in the stand.
The score was 0-0 at half-time but in the second half there was no stopping Club Brugge's as they won win 3-0.
After the match, which keeps the club at the top of the league, he said: "I am unbelievably happy now. This will be a treasured memory for my daughter which she can enjoy all her life."
With tears in his eyes, he added: "My last dream has come true. I can die in peace now. I will celebrate from heaven."
Club Brugge's Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan said he was "lost for words" meeting Lorenzo after the game.
Last night Lorenzo 's family announced on Facebook that he had been given a lethal injection.
The post read: "As he himself said, we must look up... there we will see a star that shines, that's Lorre...
"He will forever be treasured, loved and missed... Lorretje was brave until the last minute, had everything under control and had enjoyed his last moments with people who were close to his heart."
Lorenzo had also prepared a thank you to his parents, daughter, other family members and friends.
He finished his note with an emotional thank you to his beloved club, saying: "Thank you to all the fans of the Club for the unbelievable and moving standing ovation...
"Thank you everyone. YOU NEVER WALK ALONE!!!"
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