The Champions League is in full swing: day 5 of the group phase this Wednesday, November 29, 2023. And Lens can still dream of qualification. The Sang et Or go to London to challenge a European giant, Arsenal, leader of the Premier League. And leader of this group B in the European Cup. European games that the Lensois had not played in 21 years. So obviously, the northern supporters, among the hottest on the continent, are mobilizing.
“ This was the match not to be missed! » Like Justine, many of them are giving their voice for the first time on the European scene. After more than 20 years of absence, the Lensois are back in the European Cup… and you can hear it! “ I am a singing teacher. Oh, Les Corons, it’s okay… it’s always right! Afterwards, it’s true that sometimes, in terms of the songs… “, jokes Simon, an indulgent singing teacher.
This wheelchair-bound supporter does not hesitate to travel across Europe despite his handicap: “ We’re going to do like everyone else: shout the Lensoise colors loud and clear. We fell into it when we were very little with our brother, and it’s true that we never stopped coming, whether in Ligue 2, in Ligue 1, and obviously today in the European Cup. … which is the Holy Grail for us, obviously! We are subscribers, we play all the matches, even if we travel, it’s not a problem. On the contrary, we love it, that’s what’s cool. »
Rigorous efforts for the occasion
Very cool, especially when the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s home venue, has more than 90 seats. Armelle also made the trip with her family. She has not missed a single Sang et Or match on the European stage: “ To Seville, then to Eindhoven, and then we go to Arsenal… By bus, with the Picardy section » lists the supporter. Because Lens in the Champions League is not every day: “ It’s great, it’s great! That’s why we take advantage and give everything for them. »
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Give it your all, literally. And too bad if you have to make some sacrifices: “ Ask days, and financially. But hey, it doesn’t matter! I am a medical secretary and we came as a family. I came with my niece, my brother, nephews. There you go, we are all for Lens. »
The dream of all generations
Among the approximately 2,000 Lensois supporters, we also find Christophe, who was already part of the adventure more than 20 years ago, when the Northerners beat the Londoners: “ I found, I showed my son my ticket with which I was at Wembley during Arsenal-Lens. There you go, 21 years later, we’re off on an adventure again! My kid is 20 years old, so he hasn’t experienced that… I show him a little bit of the dream I experienced 20 years ago. »
Lens is definitely a family team. Christophe has the club in his skin, which he displays through a few tattoos: “ ‘Maxou’, my son Maxence, that’s his nickname. Number 4, because when he played football, he wore number 4. Behind, we see the stand of the Bollaert stadium. On the other side of the forearm, we have the emblem of the mining basin, which is the miner’s lamp, with the logo of the Racing Club de Lens. Unfortunately, I have my grandfather who was a minor. He didn’t die from a stroke, but silicosis did. It’s quite a story. »
RC Lens, a whole story in France and Europe. It will take an exploit for the Northerners in London to continue the adventure. But with supporters like that, you never know?
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