SM Caen / RC Lens: Coupe de France memories | match information – SMC ticket

Far from its past exploits, Stade Malherbe Caen is dragging the Coupe de France like a ball and chain. 1989? Eliminated by Beauvais, a poorly classified D2. 1990? Defeated by Gazélec Ajaccio, a D3 in the 32nd finals. Same thing the following year in Niort, relegated to D3 at the end of the season. Each time with the same frustrating impression of having given up the game against a largely viable opponent.

In this year 1990, a major opponent presented itself in Venoix: RC Lens, promoted, firmly established in the middle of the table, a team well organized, athletic and quick to counter. In Caen, the group is weakened. Germain, Point and Olsen injured, Fournier suspended, Avenet and Paille back on track: only eleven professionals are valid.

The kick-off of the match, broadcast on TF1, is set for 5:00 p.m. so that there are not even 5,000 spectators despite the reinforcement of several hundred Lensois. It is an understatement to say that those who are absent will regret it! The Caennais are on the back foot, attacking with all their might: after twenty minutes of play, they have already made the break against the well-organized Lensois. On a Lens restart, Lebourgeois snatches the ball from Sikora and serves Gravelaine who crosses, Görter counters and leaves Bernard Lama no chance. Five minutes later, Willy Görter did it again with a free kick from 20 meters that the goalkeeper could only repel the heavy strike on Hypolite Dangbeto. But the Lensois obviously know how to respond. Captain Walemme who, up close, has plenty of time to send the ball into the top corner. The Northerners have the opportunity to come back from the penalty spot but Francis Gillot, a specialist in the field, sends his attempt onto the left post just before the break.

Returning from the locker room, the wind changes sides. Lama puts pressure on the Caen defense with his clearances. On one of them, Montanier was beaten by Delmotte who allowed the Northerners to get back on track. But the Normans are not to be outdone and respond: Franck Dumas at the helm who crosses for the head of Xavier Gravelaine: 3-2! The qualification will be played in extra time after Maufroy equalized following a poorly returned corner. 98^e : Lens regains the advantage and the locals stick out their tongues at this shot diverted from Delmotte by Rival. Pessimism takes hold of Venoix, the teams change sides and the wind becomes favorable again. In the space of two minutes, the Caennais got back in front thanks to Olivier Pickeu and Willy Gortër who scored twice. The Dutchman qualified the Caennais with a superb strike from outside the area.

This time the Lensois did not recover. Conclusion from Daniel Jeandupeux: “This is the real formula of the Coupe de France. The big winner this evening is not Malherbe but football! “. Seven million viewers witnessed this magnificent spectacle.