OGC Nice 0-1 AS Monaco FC
Stade du Ray
att: approx 7,000
25/07/2012
A team isn't just for the season
It is for life. Nice supporters appear to take this very seriously. Currently on a two week vacation to the French Riviera we have had an eye on two games, both in new grounds, both featuring Monaco. The first to visit is Nice, I was particularly excited about this one for two reasons. The first being that this will be there last season at Stade Du Ray (they're moving to a new 35,000 capacity stadium on the motorway into the city) and secondly I knew they had a fairly active ultras movement, and if they turned up it could be interesting.
The journey from our current French base was easy, straight along the motorway. On the way we drove past the new ground, it's at that stage where you can't tell whether it will be good or bad, if you go by the designs it'll be strongly the former. Coming off the motorway we were faced with our first task of the evening, parking. Thankfully there was a large (200 spaces) car park directly outside the main stand which was free of charge, so we made our way to the ticket office. Standing in line for approximately 10 minutes we reached the front, only to realise we were in fact queuing in the line for season tickets, er thanks but no thanks. After finally making our way into the ground we sat down to take in the ground.
Well it was different. It was built in 1927 and has undergone several renovations, most recently in 1997. We were sat in the largest stand of the ground, I guess I can compare it to the big one at gresty road, Crewe. Except worse. This is where we were sat. We were lucky to bag 3 lone seats next to the exit. To our left was a stand containing terracing in the corner and the bottom part stretching the width of the pitch, behind it was a rickety looking temporary seated stand that wouldn't have looked out of place at the Withdean Stadium. To the right of this was the away terrace, closed on this occasion. The stand opposite us consisted of 4 blocks of (not so) temporary seating blocks, the one to the far left being benches. This is given to away fans and is where the 150 or so Monaco fans were. The final stand was the main home terrace. it's 22 steps high and is uncovered. The pitch is surrounded by high fences.
As mentioned I was hopeful of a decent atmosphere, and thankfully I wasn't disappointed. The Nice fans were in fine voice and prior to the match beginning le of several flares/smoke bombs/fire crackers setting the tone to the match. Instead of a Pre season friendly this match felt like a league game, so much so the home fans started getting on the referees back with challenges flying everywhere. The only goal coming from a lovely finish early in the second half.
Overall it was a very good way to spend the evening, especially with the surprisingly good atmosphere. I hope it is like that at the new stadium, which has to happen if OGC want to become a dominant force, and I think the fans realise this with the only (visible) protests being over the name decision (Allianz Riviera). 5 euro each well spent!
The journey from our current French base was easy, straight along the motorway. On the way we drove past the new ground, it's at that stage where you can't tell whether it will be good or bad, if you go by the designs it'll be strongly the former. Coming off the motorway we were faced with our first task of the evening, parking. Thankfully there was a large (200 spaces) car park directly outside the main stand which was free of charge, so we made our way to the ticket office. Standing in line for approximately 10 minutes we reached the front, only to realise we were in fact queuing in the line for season tickets, er thanks but no thanks. After finally making our way into the ground we sat down to take in the ground.
Well it was different. It was built in 1927 and has undergone several renovations, most recently in 1997. We were sat in the largest stand of the ground, I guess I can compare it to the big one at gresty road, Crewe. Except worse. This is where we were sat. We were lucky to bag 3 lone seats next to the exit. To our left was a stand containing terracing in the corner and the bottom part stretching the width of the pitch, behind it was a rickety looking temporary seated stand that wouldn't have looked out of place at the Withdean Stadium. To the right of this was the away terrace, closed on this occasion. The stand opposite us consisted of 4 blocks of (not so) temporary seating blocks, the one to the far left being benches. This is given to away fans and is where the 150 or so Monaco fans were. The final stand was the main home terrace. it's 22 steps high and is uncovered. The pitch is surrounded by high fences.
As mentioned I was hopeful of a decent atmosphere, and thankfully I wasn't disappointed. The Nice fans were in fine voice and prior to the match beginning le of several flares/smoke bombs/fire crackers setting the tone to the match. Instead of a Pre season friendly this match felt like a league game, so much so the home fans started getting on the referees back with challenges flying everywhere. The only goal coming from a lovely finish early in the second half.
Overall it was a very good way to spend the evening, especially with the surprisingly good atmosphere. I hope it is like that at the new stadium, which has to happen if OGC want to become a dominant force, and I think the fans realise this with the only (visible) protests being over the name decision (Allianz Riviera). 5 euro each well spent!