Lens - Stade Rennais : The History

The Opposition

The Racing Club de Lens was founded in 1906. First playing in green and black, then in black only, the club adopted their current red and gold colours in 1924.

Initially taking part in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional leagues, RC Lens was quick to progress and reach the first division in 1937. The club then knew its first success, with a Coupe de France final in 1947.

Deeply anchored in the mining culture, RC Lens was harshly affected by the crisis hitting the region in the sixties. Relegated in Division 2, Lens was abandoned by the mining companies, and therefore forced to get back down to amateur level.

With support from the Town, the Racing was quickly revived, and returned to D2, for a promotion into Division 1 three years later. The club remains in the top flight, despite a two years episode at the second level in the late eighties, followed by another one during the 2008-2009 season.

In the meantime the « Sang et Or » had earned their first major trophies, with a first France Champion title in 1999, a Coupe de la Ligue in 1999, and a UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000. However, Lens are still looking for their first Coupe de France victories, despite three finals played.

Some big names in French and European football once played for Lens. Daniel Xuereb, Gaëtan Huard, Éric Carrière, Robbie Slater, Vladimír Šmicer, Chérif Oudjani or John Utaka are among the players who gave the artesian club its finest hours.

Previous Meetings

Félix-Bollaert stadium isn’t exactly a favoured place for the Bretons, who only won there in four occasions in their Division 1 history. A first time in 1950, then in 1983 and 2001, and the last time in 2007. So the wait can be long between the victories. In 2001, the team coached by Paul Le Guen came to win 2-1 , thanks to a goal by Makhtar N’Diaye in the second half’s injury time

A few years later, Stade Rennais FC won in Artois with the same 2 goals to 1 score-line, with goals by Sylvain Wiltord and Jérôme Leroy. Last year, Frédéric Antonetti’s men snatched a draw after trailing twice in the game (2-2). The goal scorers were Ismaël Bangoura and Asamoah Gyan.

- 2009/2010 Season : Douchez - Fanni, Mangane, Hansson (cap), Bocanegra - Lemoine, Leroy, M’Vila - Bangoura (Marveaux, 73’), Gyan, Sow (Kembo Ekoko, 81’).

Summary of Lens - Stade Rennais in L1 : 39 matches, 24 Lens victories, 11 draws and 4 Rennes victories rennaises. 82 goals to Lens, 29 to Rennes.
Last Rennes goal scorer : Asamoah Gyan (August 29th, 2009)

Last ten Lens - Stade Rennais

- 2009/10 (L1) : Draw 2-2 (Demont pen. & Jemâa / Bangoura & Gyan)
- 2007/08 (L1) : Rennes wins 2-1 (Wiltord, Leroy / Monterrubio)
- 2006/07 (L1) : Draw 0-0
- 2005/06 (L1) : Draw 0-0
- 2004/05 (L1) : Lens wins 5-2 (Utaka (3), Carrière & Ouaddou o.g. / Frei (2))
- 2003/04 (L1) : Lens wins 2-1 (Thomert &Coridon / Piquionne)
- 2002/03 (L1) : Lens wins 1-0 (Utaka)
- 2001/02 (L1) : Lens wins 2-0 (Sibierski & Pédron)
- 2000/01 (D1) : Rennes wins 2-1 (Delaye & M. N’Diaye / Sakho)
- 1999/00 (D1) : Draw 1-1 (Nouma / Nonda pen.)

Sources :
- Stade Rennais Online Archives

Photos :
- RC Lens official website