KV Mechelen has ended the season without a European ticket. On the last match day, Malinwa lost 3-0 to STVV and missed the fifth place in Play-Off 1. The situation was clear beforehand: if KV Mechelen wanted to make a claim for European football, it had to do better than AA Gent against Club Brugge. But there was never a real thriller for that coveted fifth place. Gent went down 5-0 to champion Club Brugge, making the calculation for KVM quickly irrelevant. However, Mechelen also failed to put pressure on Gent. STVV didn't give in to the home crowd and Arbnor Muja put the Truienaren ahead 1-0. Just before half-time, it was also the nail in the coffin for Mechelen: Taiga Hata doubled the score to 2-0 just before the teams went to the dressing rooms. KV Mechelen couldn't respond after the break and the final score was 3-0. Malinwa finishes sixth — and last — in Play-Off 1. The fifth place, and the all-or-nothing match against Racing Genk, goes to AA Gent. For KVM, the season is definitely over. However, the Mechelen season should not be judged solely on this final stumble. In the last play-off season, the club was able to taste Play-Off 1 for the first time and did not do it undeservedly: a home win against Gent, points taken from Gent, Anderlecht, and even at home against champion Club Brugge. That was the positive story of this season — even if it ends without European reward. KV Mechelen's performances in Play-Off 1 were surprisingly good and the club has shown that it can compete in the top division. The club must now look to the next season and try to achieve another good performance. Wouter Vrancken, the former coach of KV Mechelen, has had an excellent season with STVV and has shown that he is a good coach. KV Mechelen must now try to find a new coach who can lead the team to success. The club will have to work hard to improve and come back stronger next season. KV Mechelen's fans will be disappointed with the end of the season, but they can still be proud of their team's achievements. The team has shown that it has the potential to compete with the best teams in the league.