Paris Lens - the match

Silly and I headed for the stadium while the others kindly took our bags to the hotel. Outside the Metro station there were a number of drink and eateries packed out with fans of both teams and the atmosphere was relaxed as everyone mixed under the close watch of the largest number of heavily armoured CRS I had seen at a match. They were complete with helmets hanging from their belts in a relaxed fashion so I took the opportunity to unveil the Lens memorabilia that I had hidden about my person in case of trouble. Even the sound of the Paris fans warming up with a French rendition of Flower of Scotland didn’t daunt us as we wandered up to the ground, past row upon row of CRS troopers who, as we passed them, received the order to helmet up. It was like a prelude to a scene from a political riot and that very soon there would be bricks and CS gas thrown and baton charges. Yet the atmosphere prior to this had been convivial with supporters mixing freely outside the Metro station and you had to think that this was a gross overreaction to what had been such a calm evening and could only end up antagonising the situation: making a problem where there hadn’t been one. Asking directions from a helmeted figure we were pointed quickly in the direction of the stadium and left before anything happened that could spoil our mood on what was a warm and enjoyable evening. You had to feel to a certain extent sorry for the Paris fans whose reputation had provoked this police presence as it would only end up antagonising those fans who had no intention of causing trouble.

The Stade de France didn’t disappoint however as the relaxed atmosphere returned with bars opened out onto terraces with tables and chairs filled with both sets of fans enjoying a pre-match meal and drink and no sign of body armour, riot shields or helmets. People wandered freely with their drinks in front of the flying saucer-like stadium and it made you realise this was how football should be. Inside the stadium, the crowd was building and yellow jacketed people wandered around serving drinks from giant backpacks and I was excited to see the opportunity to extend my collection of souvenir plastic cups that included the Arras Festival, Indochine in Brussels and would now include Lens Stade de France. It didn’t take much to make me happy and Silly seemed to be enjoying the rare opportunity to drink at a football stadium, even if it was watered down! Funnily enough after he had finished a drink or two he didn’t feel like attacking anybody or making racist gestures. Strange that…

The atmosphere rose to the occasion though as an estimated 17000 Lens fans added to a 70000 crowd with scarves aloft and after an early couple of scares there was delirium as Coulibaly muscled his way through challenges to drill a shot into the Paris net. The group of Paris fans who had laughed and mooned at the Lens fans around them were subdued as we celebrated: one of those moments of sheer joy and superiority that sport occasionally offered. For Lens fans at the moment these occasions were rare and needing to be cherished: we were beating the Champions!

Rudi Riou in the Lens goal had a personal battle with Paris’ Cavani as the Lens defence decided that he wasn’t going to score anyway so let him through on goal twice: the first occasion Rudi palmed his attempted lob away and the second Cavani managed to get the ball past him only for the effort to hit the young frame of Cavare in front of the Lens goal.

“On est chez nous…” rang out the Lens fans in the Curva Sud yet this was to be the final moment of good fortune for Lens as Cabaye scored from the edge of the area – to the muted delight of Newcastle-supporting Silly who had been a big fan of him when he had played in the NorthEast and was excited to see him play again. We didn’t share his satisfaction at the goal for his hero despite his protestations that he had “taken it well”.

Worse was to follow as Rudi punched clear only for Maxwell to deliver one of the goals of the weekend: a sweet chip that had the Lens keeper forlornly tumbling into the net. Once again he had taken it well but none of us, bar Silly, were going to admit it. His “this is a great spectacle for French football” view wasn’t getting many fans.

The rest of the match went from bad to worse as Cavani dived to get Lens young defender Gbamin sent off for a second bookable offence. The Argentinian duly tucked away the penalty – probably the only way he would score – however there was brief hope for the Lens fans when he was sent off for first aiming his gun celebration at the Lens fan then grabbing hold of the referee as he booked him. His face was a delight to see.

Only minutes later Le Moigne was sent off for a second bookable offence and Kambouare decided to guard the goal difference and defenders replaced attackers. The scoreline remained 1-3 but the attention of the stadium was on the Lens fans who made sure they made the most of the opportunity to earn themselves respect as they sang their way to the finish. Les corons boomed out as did Qu’est ce que vous chantez and the Lens ‘clapping’ like a greatest hits of Lens songs. As the fans filed out there was a feeling that the team had restored a lot of pride with their performance and there was even time for a joyful bounce under the terracing – as if we had won. 

Ch'ti pride!