Coppens was a phenomenon, a non-conformist. He could do things with the ball that nobody else was able to. People came to the stadium for Coppens. Coppens played for the entertainment of the people. Sometimes he dribbled the goalkeeper, turned around and dribbled him again before scoring. At times, he kicked a penalty with his heel and with his back to the goal while pretending to give instructions. An art enthusiast and artist himself. Scored and let score. Defenders sweated and suffered. He drove them to despair. Coppens played the final round of the 1954 World Cup with Belgium in Switzerland.