Forty kilometers of motorway separate Lille and Lens, and as many bridges to hang the inventive banners of supporters of the two cities. Between light poetry and insults, Lille and Lensois compete in ingenuity to win the battle of the chamber, animated in particular, last weekend, by the intrusion into the Losc training center of Blood and Gold supporters who came to hoist a flag in their honor.
Urban guerrillas are also gaining homes, when supporters of both camps live under one roof. Rémi, a 24-year-old Lensois supporter, grew up alongside a father and a big brother who were supporters of the Mastiffs. The memories of derby in Lille are painful. “We were at the Stadium with my father and my brother when we lost 4-0 in 2006,” he recalls. Fortunately there was also my cousin who is for Lens to support me. “
Finding the trace of an artesian victory on the land of Martine Aubry is going back to the time of the Grimonprez-Jooris stadium, in 2003. A time when Tony Vairelles came into play in the 70th minute to seal a landmark victory ( 2-0).
Fortunately for Rémi, who always hid a Lensois jersey under his jacket in enemy soil, the memories are better at the bubbling Bollaert stadium. The Blood and Gold supporter will never forget the face of his “disgusted” brother after a 4-2 victory in Lensoise in the final sprint of the championship in 2006. But in the family, not all hits are allowed: “My father yelled at me when I followed chants insulting to Lille… Maybe also his supporting side. “
More correct manly
“In front of my uncle, says Emilie, 20 years old and supporter of Losc, it happened to me to be ironic about the presence of Lens in Ligue 2. As a result, he no longer spoke to me during the whole meal. But the tensions in the northern family dinners are easing more quickly than a brawl between supporters of two enemy clubs in Rome or Istanbul, two cities known for the ardor of their derbies. “All of this remains respectful,” explains Emilie. Even if face-to-face it can twist or go into insults, it is generally correct. “
Since the start of the season, the Hauts-de-France region has been footballing its name well. If one of the two clubs wins, this Sunday evening, he will seize, the icing on the cake, the first place in the standings. A situation unfavorable to household peace in Agathe, 33, and her husband Mohamed, 34. She is for Lens, he is a fan of Losc and regularly lodged by the in-laws accustomed to the stands of Bollaert. “It’s like Parisians and Marseillais, I’m pretty happy when Lille loses,” Agathe says. But we never got mad about it. “
At 9 p.m., RC Lens will appear at the Pierre Mauroy stadium without its top scorer Ignatius Ganago (4 goals), hit in the left ankle, while Lille will be complete. In front of their television screen, Agathe and Mohamed will have their eyes riveted on a derby that has not taken place since 2015, and if their eyes meet, it will be faience dogs. “I am waiting for the victory with all my heart, I will be really angry if Lens loses, admits Agathe. My companion is waiting for that, it is sure that he will room me a lot. “
