He was a goalkeeper who got his start in Beveren, like Jean-Marie Pfaff and Filip De Wilde. He reached the top in part due to his determination and sense of responsibility. He was the back-up to Filip De Wilde at the European Championship in 2000 and became the undisputed number one after De Wilde’s retirement. He played an essential role in the qualification for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, where he played all four matches.