​

On Saturday, the Gym will travel to the Costières to face Nîmes Olympique, in Week 13 of L1 (kick-off 8pm). When was the last time the Niçois travelled to the Gard to face the Crocos? A little walk back through time.

2005, cup… and a smashing

The last trip ended with a smashing, by a squad of euphoric Nîmois, on a freezing evening. On 1 March 2005, accompanied by more than 500 supporters, Gernot Rohr’s side headed to the Gard, where a Round of 16 of the Coupe de France awaited them. In L1, Nice were struggling and were battling not to drop too far, but still came into the match after a win at the Ray, over Monaco (2-1) - a match that was won by the first incredible strike from the young Ederson. Two levels below, Nîmes were one of the giants of the National league. You would have thought that the game would be one-sided...

... It was, but not in the right way. Overcharged, the home side dominated across the pitch. OGCNICE.com explained in its match report that “the Nîmes victory was never in doubt”. Two goals before the break (Coulibaly 19’; Verschave 32’ ), two goals after (Enza 65’; Verschave 72’): the squad led by... Didier Ollé-Nicolle took the win without shaking. They would eventually be beaten in the final by Auxerre (2-1). From the Gym’s point of view, they would go on to finish in 12th place.

2001, last trip in the league

To find the last Nîmes – Nice in the league, you need to go right back to the start of the 3rd millenium. On 22 December 2001, more precisely, during a period in which both side were plying their trade in the 2nd Division. On the eve of Week 21, Nice were sitting in a comfortable 5th place, whilst Nîmes found themselves in the relegation zone (18th). The game would go on to respect the statistics, and the Aiglons left with the three points.

In a game with plenty of commitment, Kelly Berville put his side in front (1-0, 29’), Laurent Gagnier scored a brace (40’ and 48’), and the game came to an end with a clean sheet for the Aiglons. The match would set the tone for the rest of the season for the two sides. Well on their way, Nice, with legs and an enormous heart, would go on to secure promotion after a season that will forever remain engraved in the memories of Nice supporters. Nîmes would be relegated to the National league.

February 1981, last battle in the top flight

The last Nîmes – Nice in the top flight dates back a lot further. Back to a time when Daniel Bravo was still a “junior international”, or when another little prince, René Bocchi, was setting the tempo in the middle of the park, or when Markovic took his place on the bench, or when the Crocos weren’t even playing at the Costières. 

On 1 February 1981, in Week 25 of the top flight, the Gardois and the Azuréens did battle on the pitch of Stade Jean-Bouin, and the visitors clearly dominated the encounter. Bravo (28’), Curbelo (82’) and Gentili (87') ensured a precious victory. The Red and Blacks finished the season in 15th place. Nîmes Olympique (19th) were relegated to D2.

Extracts from France Football

C.D. (source: Michel Oreggia) 

---