Regrets! That is what will linger in the memories of the Eagles and the tens of thousands of red and black supporters who had traveled to the magnificent Stade de France.
Everything had already started off poorly with Zerka’s goal approaching the half-hour mark. A goal that punished a timid first half by Frédéric Antonetti’s men who seemed paralyzed by the stakes which could have opened the doors to Europe for them. And this was without taking into account the assurance of Lloris, who put his talent to the test to delay this outcome.
1-0 at halftime, nothing was decided yet, and the 22 players returned to the Parisian turf to try to swing the match in Nancy’s favor, while the Nice camp was hoping for a quick equalizer. And it was the Eagles who saw their dream take shape under the guidance of an inspired Marama Vahiura, who sent the ball to the back of Sorin’s net after Koné had bypassed several defenders.
The Stade de France regained its red and black colors as the young Tahitian joyfully paddled on the turf, which finally seemed to smile on Nice.
The game stabilized, and the prospect of extra time started to take shape when the match referee, Mr. Layec, pulled a second yellow card from his pocket—a synonym for expulsion—for Puygrenier, leaving his teammates down to ten for the remaining thirty minutes.
One thought that Frédéric Antonetti’s players should not miss such an opportunity, but Brazilian Kim would place another header out of Lloris’s reach, who, once again, could do nothing against the stroke of fate that saw Nancy regain the lead on the scoreboard.
Regardless, there were still just under thirty minutes to, at the very least, grasp an extension and possibly penalty shots. What followed was an attack-defense and the siege of Nancy’s penalty area.
A good free kick from Balmont, a fine attempt by Roudet, a strike from Rool, and two rightly disallowed goals for offside did nothing. Pablo Correa’s proteges held on until the end and, as in 1978, it was AS Nancy Lorraine who won the match, thus claiming this League Cup synonymous with qualification for the UEFA Cup.
Teams:
Nice: Lloris, Traore, Abardonado, Fanni (then Roudet 79′), Varrault, Echouafni (then Bagayoko 85′), Rool, Balmont, Vahirua (then Ederson 71′), Koné, Bellion. Coach: Frédéric Antonetti.
Nancy: Sorin, Lecluse, Puygrenier, Diakhaté, Biancalani, Duchemin (then Brison 65′), Beregnuer, Gavanon, Chretien, Zerka (then André Luiz 83′), Kim (then Sarkissian 90′). Coach: Pablo Correa.
