RC Lens 1-1 Le Havre
Stade Felix-Bollaert
Att: 30,107 (~70 away)
17/02/14
Our first trip to France for a game of football this year, and one that we were quite excited for. In the build up to the match we'd been informed by a Lens fan of how this match that this was the 20th anniversary of Lens' Ultras group, the Red Tigers. We'd not witnessed celebrations of milestones for Ultras groups first hand, but we'd seen many images of videos such as Ultras Rapid with their 20th anniversary not too long ago. As such we were expectant of a big Tifo and a decent atmosphere. We got both.
Parking up Phil made a remark along the lines of 'Blimey, smells like gunpowder.' To which Matt went, 'No, definitely a smoke bomb'. As aware as ever, both had failed to notice that the Ultras were finishing their corteo from the station. I had, and in about 20 seconds I'd grabbed my camera, slung on my coat and headed over. I've wanted to see one of these marches for quite a while, mainly through curiosity. If you're not familiar, Ultras groups (usually for big games) meet up and walk to the ground in a large group, singing and lighting more Flares than I care count. The result was a walk to a Bar to meet Jeremie, in the opposite direction to the ground, with which the bulk of the comments were mainly in relation to the size of the burnt out flares on the floor.
A drink and a chat in the cafe next to a Pirate themed bar later, we were on our way back to the Stadium, one that I liked. I liked it a lot. It's astonishing just how big it feels when you're sat at your seat. Looking at the Wiki page for the ground, the first paragraph is rather interesting. Stade Felix-Bollaert, opened in 1933, and its current capacity is 41,229. The population of the City of Lens, as of 2006, lies at 36,257. This is even more astonishing when you realise that the ground has held games in One Football World Cup, Two Rugby World Cups and in two years time its Second European Championship. In order to host this tournament, the ground will be completely redeveloped, and as such (I'm lead to believe) Lens will be playing all their matches next season in Valenciennes.
We were to be sat in the corner at one end. This was a three tiered monstrosity, with a roof covering less than half of the seats. At the end of our row of seats was a dead pigeon, gracefully lying upon the tribune. It looked as though it'd been a death of natural causes. To our left was the main stand. The rear tier significantly larger than the lower, and split by hospitality. The far end was similar to the stand we were sat in, although the bottom tier was sunken in the middle. The block to the left served as the away end, in which there were 70 or so Le Havre fans. Fair play to them, they went at it all game. The final side, the Kop, is a wonderful build. Two tiered, with pillars to the rear, this'd provide most of the spectacle for this game. Being where the Ultras went.
Around 10 minutes before kick off our attention was drawn to the Kop, as the Ultras unfurled a large surfer, which they gradually peeled away to reveal more surfers beneath. A creative approach. When the teams came out the atmosphere peaked, and it stayed that way for the majority of the game. The fans were putting on a spectacle, jumping around in unison, waving scarf's. All that lark. This despite a rather apathetic performance by the hosts. The visitors went ahead in the 20th minute, when Le Bihan latched onto a loose ball, and clean through slotted under the keeper.
The Half fizzled out, and at half time another display was unfurled when the players came out, this time involving both tiers. The Lens players still didn't respond, and it looked as though it'd be the worst birthday ever when in second minute of added time substitute Coulibaly was sent off for dissent. Two minutes later Lens could a corner, and the keeper rushed up. To our disbelief, as the corner whipped in Nomenjanahary got a head on it, and in turn the equaliser. The crowd errupted, and the Ultras surged. Harsh on Le Havre, but it salvaged the birthday party. At Full Time another surfer was unveiled, as we snuck out before the fireworks started. Looking at photo's we also missed a pyroshow after the match, to my dismay!
French football is generally something I, unfairly, turn my nose up at sometimes. In the small sample of games I've done, the atmosphere has been better than most I sample in England and the grounds have grown on me. I'm quite upset this ground won't be the same on my probable next visit, but I hope they maintain what they've got here in terms of support. If you are considering a trip to France before the season closes, I'd say place this high on your list. It's certainly worth it.
Parking up Phil made a remark along the lines of 'Blimey, smells like gunpowder.' To which Matt went, 'No, definitely a smoke bomb'. As aware as ever, both had failed to notice that the Ultras were finishing their corteo from the station. I had, and in about 20 seconds I'd grabbed my camera, slung on my coat and headed over. I've wanted to see one of these marches for quite a while, mainly through curiosity. If you're not familiar, Ultras groups (usually for big games) meet up and walk to the ground in a large group, singing and lighting more Flares than I care count. The result was a walk to a Bar to meet Jeremie, in the opposite direction to the ground, with which the bulk of the comments were mainly in relation to the size of the burnt out flares on the floor.
A drink and a chat in the cafe next to a Pirate themed bar later, we were on our way back to the Stadium, one that I liked. I liked it a lot. It's astonishing just how big it feels when you're sat at your seat. Looking at the Wiki page for the ground, the first paragraph is rather interesting. Stade Felix-Bollaert, opened in 1933, and its current capacity is 41,229. The population of the City of Lens, as of 2006, lies at 36,257. This is even more astonishing when you realise that the ground has held games in One Football World Cup, Two Rugby World Cups and in two years time its Second European Championship. In order to host this tournament, the ground will be completely redeveloped, and as such (I'm lead to believe) Lens will be playing all their matches next season in Valenciennes.
We were to be sat in the corner at one end. This was a three tiered monstrosity, with a roof covering less than half of the seats. At the end of our row of seats was a dead pigeon, gracefully lying upon the tribune. It looked as though it'd been a death of natural causes. To our left was the main stand. The rear tier significantly larger than the lower, and split by hospitality. The far end was similar to the stand we were sat in, although the bottom tier was sunken in the middle. The block to the left served as the away end, in which there were 70 or so Le Havre fans. Fair play to them, they went at it all game. The final side, the Kop, is a wonderful build. Two tiered, with pillars to the rear, this'd provide most of the spectacle for this game. Being where the Ultras went.
Around 10 minutes before kick off our attention was drawn to the Kop, as the Ultras unfurled a large surfer, which they gradually peeled away to reveal more surfers beneath. A creative approach. When the teams came out the atmosphere peaked, and it stayed that way for the majority of the game. The fans were putting on a spectacle, jumping around in unison, waving scarf's. All that lark. This despite a rather apathetic performance by the hosts. The visitors went ahead in the 20th minute, when Le Bihan latched onto a loose ball, and clean through slotted under the keeper.
The Half fizzled out, and at half time another display was unfurled when the players came out, this time involving both tiers. The Lens players still didn't respond, and it looked as though it'd be the worst birthday ever when in second minute of added time substitute Coulibaly was sent off for dissent. Two minutes later Lens could a corner, and the keeper rushed up. To our disbelief, as the corner whipped in Nomenjanahary got a head on it, and in turn the equaliser. The crowd errupted, and the Ultras surged. Harsh on Le Havre, but it salvaged the birthday party. At Full Time another surfer was unveiled, as we snuck out before the fireworks started. Looking at photo's we also missed a pyroshow after the match, to my dismay!
French football is generally something I, unfairly, turn my nose up at sometimes. In the small sample of games I've done, the atmosphere has been better than most I sample in England and the grounds have grown on me. I'm quite upset this ground won't be the same on my probable next visit, but I hope they maintain what they've got here in terms of support. If you are considering a trip to France before the season closes, I'd say place this high on your list. It's certainly worth it.