In Nice, they don’t do things by halves. When the local team plays in the final of the League Cup, the whole city gets involved. Decorations in the colors of the Gym (OGC Nice) spring up on shop fronts and everyone talks about victory. We took a tour of Old Nice, a stronghold of many club supporters.
The red and black colors will invade the streets of Nice until Saturday evening, the day of the much-awaited League Cup final between Nice and Nancy. On their own initiative or via the “Vieux Nice Renouveau” association, merchants have already begun to adorn their storefronts with the Gym’s colors.
As we pass by Place Rossetti, we spot Jacques busily inflating red and black balloons. He’s in a hurry. He needs to decorate the restaurant where he works before Maurice Cohen arrives. Between breaths, Jacques assures us that Nice will win 2-0. He will be in Paris to see it happen.
2-0. That’s also the prediction of Joel, who owns a household linen store at Halles aux Herbes square. Though a rugby fan at heart, Joel supports his city and its club, OGC Nice. He is delighted by this enthusiasm, and he too has hung up balloons along with a flag and the 2005/2006 team poster. This decoration is especially dear to him. “It’s good for the young. They feel the merchants are supporting them.”
Further along, we meet Elisabeth, the vice-president of the Vieux-Nice merchants’ association. Her shop, a fresh pasta store, is one of the best decorated. “It was my idea to decorate the shops in the neighborhood. I proposed it to the members of the association, which includes 110 merchants, and all agreed without exception!” For 7 euros, each received balloons, posters, and a flag. Great deal! Elisabeth is even more thrilled because, “for once,” she says, “this enthusiasm is purely sportive. Young or less young, everyone comes together FOR something and not against. This movement isn’t political, and that’s great.” Even though Elisabeth wasn’t born here, she is Niçoise at heart. “Being Niçois isn’t a matter of birthplace, it’s a matter of loving the city.” As for the score, Elisabeth doesn’t care. What matters is that Nice will win.
Next door, we find Lucien. He runs a wine cellar on rue de la Préfecture and he also contributed the 7 euros to decorate his store. “It’s normal to support Nice. We live with our city. This support movement for OGC Nice is great. The glory days of the old Gym have returned!” However, we hope the new players will do better than the ones from 1978 against Nancy in the French Cup. Lucien is confident. “Nice will win 1-0.”
Around Cours Saleya and rue de la Boucherie, decorations are sparse. Cyril has a restaurant on the course and he’s the only one who has put up a flag so far, and that’s on his own initiative. He’s not part of any association. He finds it a shame that other merchants on the course haven’t joined in. “It probably comes from the fact that here and on rue de la Boucherie, there aren’t many true Niçois running the businesses.” Anyway, for him, the Gym will win 2-0.
Issa Nissa (Go Nice)!
