Off to the fans: After the game, one Lens player has to sing a song. Image: Firo
The Freiburg fans can look forward to the special atmosphere in the stadium at the European Cup game in Lens. This is due to different generations, a chip seller – and the unusual location of a grandstand.
Even if you don’t like football, a game at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens is always worth attending. Simply because of the club anthem “Les Corons”, which is sung by the fans as the players arrive after half-time. The “Corons” are mining settlements in the region, the anthem evokes the homeland and the difficult life of the fathers underground. It only lasts 57 seconds, but goosebumps are guaranteed every time. It’s an emotional moment for both ardent supporters and neutral observers.
The atmosphere is family-like, grandparents, parents and children are fans. Several generations come together in the stands at every home game. A good four months ago, at the Champions League home game against Arsenal (2-1) – the first in the premier class in exactly 20 years – the atmosphere was extraordinary. “We really missed the European evenings. We haven’t seen them in so long. It was an incredible pleasure,” says Florian, 43 years old and a season ticket holder in Bollaert for 12 years.
