IN 2003, DUTCH footballer Clarence Seedorf achieved arguably the most remarkable feat in the history of the European Cup, winning the tournament for the third time but with three different teams.
French hooker Benjamin Kayser is the anti-Seedorf. Like the Dutchman, Kayser has played in three European Cup finals with three different teams… except he has lost on all three occasions.
To make things worse, all three defeats were pretty excruciating, especially the first and third loss.
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In 2005 as a 21-year-old, Kayser was on the bench as Stade Francais were defeated 18-12 after extra time by Toulouse at Murrayfield. The Parisians led 12-6 in the second half but went ultra-conservative and were ultimately undone by Freddy Micalak’s composure (not a typo).
He was a sub again in 2009, as Leicester were pipped 19-16 by Leinster. The Irish province were the better team on the day but the Tigers definitely had a chance to snatch victory.
Kayser is now with Clermont and it is with them that he enjoyed his most hearbreaking defeat.
Back in 2013, ASM were bidding to become the first side to ever win every single game en route to collecting the trophy but Toulon edged them 16-15. Even watching it now, how on earth did they not win this game?
Kayser started that match and he will likely start on Saturday as both he, and Clermont, attempt to avenge the defeat of two years ago at Twickenham.
After playing on so many good teams, Kayser deserves to end his European Cup curse… but he probably couldn’t have picked a worse side to try and do it with than the eternally snake-bitten Clermont.
There is too much bad karma there for them to win, surely?
The unluckiest man in European Cup final history will try to finally end his curse on Saturday
IN 2003, DUTCH footballer Clarence Seedorf achieved arguably the most remarkable feat in the history of the European Cup, winning the tournament for the third time but with three different teams.
French hooker Benjamin Kayser is the anti-Seedorf. Like the Dutchman, Kayser has played in three European Cup finals with three different teams… except he has lost on all three occasions.
To make things worse, all three defeats were pretty excruciating, especially the first and third loss.
In 2005 as a 21-year-old, Kayser was on the bench as Stade Francais were defeated 18-12 after extra time by Toulouse at Murrayfield. The Parisians led 12-6 in the second half but went ultra-conservative and were ultimately undone by Freddy Micalak’s composure (not a typo).
He was a sub again in 2009, as Leicester were pipped 19-16 by Leinster. The Irish province were the better team on the day but the Tigers definitely had a chance to snatch victory.
Kayser is now with Clermont and it is with them that he enjoyed his most hearbreaking defeat.
Back in 2013, ASM were bidding to become the first side to ever win every single game en route to collecting the trophy but Toulon edged them 16-15. Even watching it now, how on earth did they not win this game?
Kayser started that match and he will likely start on Saturday as both he, and Clermont, attempt to avenge the defeat of two years ago at Twickenham.
After playing on so many good teams, Kayser deserves to end his European Cup curse… but he probably couldn’t have picked a worse side to try and do it with than the eternally snake-bitten Clermont.
There is too much bad karma there for them to win, surely?
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benjamin kayser All-Ireland Senior HC European Rugby Champions Cup snake-bitten Clermont Toulon