F.C. De Kampioenen was a long-running Flemish sitcom that chronicled the adventures of a fictional local football team. It aired on the Belgian-Flemish channel één from 1990 to 2011, spanning 21 seasons with 273 half-hour episodes, making it one of the most successful comedy programs in Belgian television history. A film was planned in 2009, but it was canceled due to complaints from the actors regarding the script. In 2012, the crew announced that a new script had been written and a movie would be produced, set for release in December 2013. The series heavily relies on stereotypical characters and farce for its humor. The story mainly revolves around a few members of the football club who frequently visit the club canteen before or after soccer training or matches. The canteen is managed by Pascale, who is in a relationship with Maurice. The football club is sponsored by Balthazar Boma, the owner of a sausage factory. Next to the field is an antiques shop owned by the scheming Fernand. Most episodes are based on misunderstandings or dirty tricks from Fernand.
