Blood, Gold & Glory

Congratulations to Kanga Akale on third son

2010-01-18T21:24:00.000-08:00

Lens' forward and Ivory Coast International Kanga Akale celebrated the birth of his third son named Joakim today. Congratulations to him and his entire family!

A dissapointing draw and the end of the trasfer market

2009-08-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Saturday's 2-2 draw against Rennes at the Stade Felix Bollaert was both positive and dissapointing at the same time. Indeed, the match should have been won by Lens when they gave up an equalizing goal one minute after regulation. However, Rennes were favored in the match and Lens showed resiliency when Marco Ramos was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Issam Jemma would then go on to score the go ahead goal which would later be nullified by Asamoah Gyan's header after a mad scramble from a corner kick. Unfortunate indeed. Young Lensois Samba Sow made an impressive entrance to the game as he quickly stole a pass and headed straight to goal unleashing a picture perfect pass that Kevin Monnet-Paquet failed to convert.

In other news, the transfer market officially closes tomorrow and it looks like Gervais Martel will once again be the butt of all jokes around Lens as the club president has failed to sign any recruits due to the financial abyss he put the club in through the relegation debacle. Camel Meriem, Richard Soumah, Wilfried Dalmat and others were expected to join the club at the end of the transfer window but Aruna Dindane's departure to Portsmouth has failed to bring the required funds to finance such purchases.

Lens may now be left to go at it with the players at its disposal at least until the winter transfer period.

Lens takes down Auxerre at the Bollaert

2009-08-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ligue 1 returned to the Stade Felix Bollaert today and in what fashion! A convincing 2-0 victory over Auxerre allowed the long suffering Lens faithful to explode with cheers of joy when the last whistle blew.

Missing several attacking players Auxerre was always looking to defend and counter attack but in the 15th minute of play rising star Kevin Monnet-Paquet gave the blood and gold its first lead of the match. Finding himself clear from the defense the Lens forward angled swiftly to leave goalkeeper Olivier Sorin flapping in the wind.

Not much was to come from Auxerre for the rest of the first half, say for a glancing header from Cedric Hengbart that just missed.

After the interval little changed as Serbian international Dejan Milovanovic produced a powerful strike which forced a fine save from a valiant Sorin.

The Auxerre keeper would not share a similar later when Lens' mercurial winger Razak Boukari sprung loose and flicked home with the inside of his boot. The goal effectively killed off the match with just over thiry minutes to play.

Depressing Opener

2009-08-09T17:53:00.001-07:00

I don't care how many times I hear about all the positives and the fact that the score should have been 2-2 at least until the end of regulation. Indeed, the officials ruined this game for Lens when they took away Razak Boukari's clear goal. I think you actually had to be blind or bought off to take that goal away. Terrible. Nevertheless, its very depressing to see how Lens must now be content to lose to a team and not feel too bad about it. I guess that comes with the whole relegation nightmare. So hello 2009/2010 campaign, I think I'm going to get drunk and just forget....

Dindane sits out curtain raiser

2009-08-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

Very disappointing to hear that Lens' star player Aruna "danger man" Dindane will not be starting in the season's curtain raiser against Bordeaux. The move no doubt signals that the Ivory Coast international will be heading to the English Premiership in the coming days. This is a bad move in my view as it does not seem likely Lens will be able to bring in a player of his caliber before the transfer window closes.

New Kits Unveiled

2009-07-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

Lens is back in Ligue 1 after a nightmarish year spent toiling in France's second division and the club has a new kit designer in Reebok. Check out the pics that will grace the Stade Felix Bollaert for the upcoming campaign.

GM Collado gone!

2008-10-10T11:07:00.001-07:00

It's official! one of the most unpopular elements of the Lens management has officialy retired. General Manager Francis Collado declared and president Gervais Martel confirmed that the 62 year old will no longer be associated in any capacity with Lens.

Collado was at one time praised for his competence and acumen in bringing excellent talent to the northern giants since assuming his duties in 1993. However, he has also shared great responsibility in the calamitous events that began at the second half of the 2006/2007 season when stars Jussie and Olivier Thomert were sold or traded. From that point the club never recovered in Ligue 1 where they were second in the table to champions Lyon and ended up missing Champions League football in the second half by finishing 5th, nor in Europe where they were also eliminated after a strong start. These dreadful events culminated in the nightmarish 2008/2009 season which saw one of France's most storied clubs relegated in Ligue 2.

Martel: The house is in order...really?

2008-09-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Of all the insufferable rants emanating from La Gaillette these days president Gervais Martel's usually take the cake. As if it weren't dreadful enough that Lens fans are made to suffer through an unspeakable year of mediocrity toiling in Ligue 2, the ever present Lens president has assured Lens' loyal worldwide fan base that the financial house is in order. Wonderful! The problem of course, is a glaring lack of credibility of which Martel exudes. After, an unfettered sell off of top players for years, a serious lack of spending, the culmination resulting in last year's unthinkable debachle, I dare say Mr. Martel has a bit of work to do to convince the fan base that our beloved club is on the right path.

To compound the lingering doubts the recently concluded transfer window has left some unanswered questions. In surveying the damage we see the unloading of our two starting center backs Adama Coulibaly (4 million E) and Hilton (5 million E). Kader Mangane and Lucien Aubey went to Rennes for 4 million E total. Back up keeper Ronan Le Crom brought 500,000 E, Milan Bisevac went for 3 million E, Monterrubio 1.5 million E, and the Kither-Lacourt duo went to Valenciennes for 1.2 million E. Furthermore, Nadir Belhadj and Kanga Akale were sent on loan with options to buy.

Nevertheless, the club failed miserably to unload Nenad Kovacevic, Julien Sable and Gregory Vignal. It is expected that at least Kovacevic will be gone by the end of the Winter transfer but we shall see.

Regarding our youth players it went fifty-fifty with Timothe Kolodiejczak being poached by Lyon (as Lyon is known to do) while Darnel Situ who is regarded as one of the best young defenders in France was retained and is expected to sign a long term deal after Manchester United nearly stole him in the dying hours of the transfer period.

As proof that the club's finances are in order Martel pointed to the signing of Tunisien international Alaeddine Yahia from Nice. No doubt a quality defender and a suprise coup comparable to the earlier signing of Eric Chelle.

Regardless, it will take along time and a lot of convincing to reassure Lens fans that the club is on a solid path to rebuilding and getting back to the goal of becoming a Champions League participant once again.

More bad moves as the transfer window closes...

2008-08-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

Its bad enough Lens fans must endure an entire year in Ligue 2 yet more dreadful moves by the Lens front office are providing the proverbial salt for our considerable wounds. Gervais Martel and Francis Collado lost a future star to Lyon (what else is new) whilst signing a total unknown with very little positives other than his height.

Yes Thimothée Kolodziecjzak, an up and coming 17 year old French star has gone to Lyon and a 21 year old Serb named Dalibor Veselinovic (not kidding that's his real surname) has arrived. Once again it looks like the Lens fans are the ones preparing to take it without vaseline on this one. I can only imagine that Martel has some sort of deal with the Serbian national team as he is slowly turning the Stade Felix Bollaert into Little Belgrade north with all this mediocre talent from the Balkans. I'm sure the irony is not lost on many Lens fans seeing the new uniform is modeled after the old Croatian national team jersey. These are definately rough days in the north of France

Jean-Guy Wallemme new coach

2008-05-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

It's official Lens has sacked Jean-Pierre Papin and installed former Lens great Jean-Guy Wallemme to lead the blood and gold out of it's upcoming Ligue 2 nightmare.

Former Lens captain Wallemme is considered a hero at the Stade Felix Bollaert, having played there for the first 12 years of his career before returning for a final season in summer 2001.

"Lens president Gervais Martel officially named Jean-Guy Wallemme as first-team coach, with assistants Christophe Delmotte et Michel Ettorre," read a statement on the club's website.

"In brief, a knowledgeable "home-made" cocktail of youth and experience to lead les Sang et Or back towards the elite.

Captain Wallemme will need a lot of luck to end Lens dreadful nightmare that has yet to begin........

Lens buried six feet deep....but the blog is back

2008-05-24T16:32:00.001-07:00

Well, it seems our beloved blood and gold have finally slipped into obscurity after a season of countless managerial blunders and front office stupidity things finally caught up to the Lensois.

Lens will now be plying their laborious trade in miserable Ligue 2 after seventeen straight years in France's top flight. Certainly it is easy to point to the Guy Roux and Jean-Pierre Papin debacles as key to the calamitous final descent but surely president Gervais Martel has for years been playing with fire selling top player after top player for peanuts. I recall the departure of El Hadj Diouf at the pinnacle of his footballing career as well as last year's jettisoning of captain Seydou Keita to Sevilla for well under his market value.

Indeed, when Diouf was sold off the Lensois were subsequently battling relegation the entire following campaign. What about the Benoît Assou-Ekotto fiasco? When he left his replacements included the formidable duo of Marco Ramos and Damien Tixier.

Finally, there was the Olivier Thomert and Jussie affair. If you followed the club last season it was plain for all to see that the on field performances began to decline both in Europe and in Ligue 1 the moment Thomert and Jussie left. I appreciate certain things that the crafty veteran Olivier Monterrubio did for Lens but we should have gotten much more for a player of Thomert's quality, especially when Tottenham had offered serious money for him in the previous year. I won't even go into Daniel Cousin because we already know how well he has done for Rangers since his departure.

Thus, in my view Lens have no one to blame but Mr. Martel and Mr. Collado.

hors voir Lensois and hope to see you soon.

First win for Papin!

2007-09-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

Lens inflicted a first defeat of the season on leaders Nancy on Saturday after securing a narrow win at Stade Felix-Bollaert.

Aruna Dindane scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot on 70 minutes and the late sending-off of Andre Luiz completed a miserable day for Pablo Correa's Nancy.

Nancy stay top of Ligue 1 after Valenciennes lost 2-0 at Le Mans, while the win gives Jean-Pierre Papin his first maximum haul as Lens coach.

The visitors started brightly and on 15 minutes Gaston Curbelo forced a fine save from Lens goalkeeper Vedran Runje with a low drive.

Lens thought they had taken the lead on 24 minutes after Olivier Monterrubio's free-kick was nodded goalwards by Dindane, and although Kanga Akale stuck a leg out to divert the ball into the net, the referee ruled it out for offside.

Three minutes later Akale again came close to breaking the deadlock after a goalmouth scramble, but Nancy forward Youssouf Hadji hacked the ball off the goalline.

And the hosts' pressure finally told in the second period when they were awarded a penalty following a spell of pressure.

Marco Ramos was fouled in the box by a Nancy defender, and Dindane held his nerve to despatch the resulting penalty kick into the net with Nancy goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano diving the wrong way.

Julien Sable almost made it two with five minutes left on clock after going through one on one with Bracigliano, but his deft lob would not come down and dropped agonisingly the wrong side of the crossbar.

Luiz then compounded Nancy's misery with his second booking on 89 minutes while Runje was forced into a fine double save from Chris Malonga and Hadji in stoppage time to prevent the visitors snatching a barely deserved point.

Feindouno to see action

2007-09-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

Guinean international and younger brother of Pascal, Simon Feindouno is set to take on a greater role with the sang et or after the arrival of new coach Jean-Pierre Papin. Last week the young Feindouno was called upon in the second half against Nice after scoring a goal against Berne in the Intertoto qualifier a week before. Simon seems set to shine at the Bollaert after spending a year on loan with Istres. Welcome back!

Another blow for Lens: Kalou gone

2007-09-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

Bonaventure Kalou has left Lens after just six weeks to join Abu Dhabi-outfit Al-Jazira.

The Ivorian moved to the Stade Felix-Bollaert from Paris St Germain, signing a three-year deal, but has decided to move on again.

Al-Jazira have agreed to pay £1million for the 29-year-old, who made five appearances for Lens.

Although the European transfer window closed last Friday, clubs from the Middle East can still buy players.

Abdou Kader Mangane arrives at lens

2007-08-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Lens has confirmed the signing of 24 year old Senegalese international midfielder Abdou Kader Mangane for a period of five years. Mangane was currently playing at Berne.

PAPIN TAKES OVER AT LENS

2007-08-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Jean-Pierre Papin has been appointed the new Lens coach following Guy Roux's decision to quit the Ligue 1 side.

The 43-year-old former France striker will begin his new role on Monday following the resignation of Roux in the wake of Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Strasbourg.

"RC Lens announces the appointment of Jean-Pierre Papin who will take the reins on Monday," read a statement on www.rclens.fr.

"The new coach will be officially introduced to the press on Monday at midday before taking his first training session around 5pm."

The result at Strasbourg left Lens second from bottom of the Ligue 1 standings with just two points from four matches.

Former Marseille frontman Papin scored 30 goals in 54 games for Les Bleus before taking up a coaching career which last season saw him steer Strasbourg into the top flight before leaving over the summer.

Roux's departure was initially reported by French TV channels during the game, even though he remained on the touchline.

The 68-year-old shook hands with his opposite number Jean-Marc Furlan at the end of the match, and then confirmed the decision to Europe 1.

He said: "I should not have accepted, perhaps I did not have all the faculties I needed.

"It's a bit humiliating but I can not mess around a club like Lens."

Roux's brief tenure at Lens came after a record-breaking 44-year stint in charge of previous club Auxerre before standing down in 2005.

ROUX QUIT OVER HEALTH WORRIES

2007-08-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

Guy Roux has revealed he quit as coach of Lens for health reasons.

News of the 68-year-old's resignation emerged during Lens' 2-1 defeat at Strasbourg on Saturday night, with Roux having been in charge for less than three months.

He admitted medical factors meant he was no longer up to the task of coaching a top-flight team.

"The problem, it is the medication that I am taking for my heart," said the former Auxerre coach, who underwent double heart-bypass surgery in 2001.

"These beta-blockers prevent me having any emotion or anger, which is incompatible with the character of a coach.

"Today, I lack the enthusiasm and the conviction which you need to turn a draw into a victory."

Lens president Gervais Martel, who has since appointed Jean-Pierre Papin as the club's new coach, revealed he has known about Roux's health difficulties for a while.

"I attach a lot of importance on human relationships," he said.

"Three weeks ago, Guy told me that it would be difficult for him.

"We left it at that but on Thursday, he said to me that he was quitting, with honesty and frankness.

"I immediately understood that it was an irrevocable decision."

Papin took the reins on Monday after a summer out of the game following his close-season departure from Strasbourg, who he guided into Ligue 1 last season.

The 43-year-old former France striker will take over a side who are third from bottom of the Ligue 1 standings with just two points from four matches.

Papin, who claims he first spoke to Martel on Thursday about the soon-to-be-vacant role, admitted he was surprised to hear that Roux was resigning.

"Yes I was, for several reasons," he said.

"Because we are at the start of the season, because the return of Guy Roux was heavily talked about in the media and finally because he did not seem the type of person to give up his position, to give way."

Papin is looking forward to his new role, adding: "It is a magnificent challenge.

"Put simply, I have been offered a chance at one of the biggest clubs in the country. Moreover, it is a chance to almost go home (he was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer).

"The important thing is that we stay positive - the season is very long and it has only just started."

Guy Roux takes over at Lens

2007-06-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

Guy Roux, one of France’s most popular and long-serving club managers, has been announced as the new coach of Lens. The 68-year-old fills the space left by Francis Gillot’s resignation last week.

A former player with Auxerre between 1952 and 1957, Roux graduated to the post of AJA player/manager, at the age of 23, in 1961. Over the next 44 years (aside from a two-year national service spell in 1962 and a 'gap' year in 2000) under Roux's astute tutelage, Auxerre rose from the regional league which they inhabited and became one of France's most successful sides.

In all, Roux won the Ligue 1 championship once (1996), the Ligue 2 title once (1980), the French Cup a record-equalling four times (1994, 1996, 2003 and 2005) and reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals once (1993). In all, he coached Auxerre in over 2,000 games and is still the proud European record-holder of the most managed top-flight domestic league games – 890.

He retired from his role as AJA coach in 2005 but two years later has made his return to Ligue 1 with Lens. He has signed a two-year deal with les Sang et Or.

"Lens contacted me last week," Roux said at a press conference on Tuesday organised for his unveiling. "It made me think and I decided to make a return to football, even though I have never really left. I was impressed with the discussions Lens and I had. I have always liked the club and remember with affection the time the club's fans helped me celebrate my 60th birthday when Auxerre came here. That played a big part in me deciding to take on the role as new manager here at Lens."

Gillot gone.........

2007-05-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Francis Gillot on Monday resigned as coach of Ligue 1 side Lens.

Gillot made his decision just two days after seeing his side fail to secure a spot in next season's Champions League.

Their 3-0 defeat to already-relegated Troyes on Saturday in the final round of Ligue 1 fixtures meant Le Sang et Or finished fifth in the standings.

They will now have to play in the Intertoto Cup if they are to qualify for next season's UEFA Cup.

A statement on Lens' website, www.rclens.fr, read: "At a press conference held on Monday by president Gervais Martel, we have learnt of the resignation of Francis Gillot from his post as coach of the Lens first team."

The statement continued: "The heavy defeat to Troyes on Saturday, depriving the club of qualification for the Champions League, will no doubt have been a factor in the decision of the Lens coach."

Gillot joined Lens as the club's assistant coach in June 2004, and ended up taking charge of the first team in January 2005 following the departure of former custodian Joel Muller.

Under Gillot's stewardship, the northerners have finished seventh, fourth then fifth in Ligue 1.
Les Sang et Or should really have finished in the top three this season.

But from a promising position where they seemed to have second place sewn up, they managed to win just two of their last 11 league games.

They started the final day third in the table and a draw against Troyes would have been good enough to finish third.

They instead slipped to an woeful 3-0 defeat at the Stade de l'Aube, and were overtaken by both Toulouse and Rennes.

The statement concluded: "We do not yet know the name of his (Gillot's) successor."

Lens' elimination from the UEFA Cup in March in the competition's last 16 signalled the start of their decline this season.

Holding a 2-1 lead over Bayer Leverkusen from the first leg at home, the northern club proceeded to lose 3-0 in the return fixture a week later and slipped to a 4-2 aggregate defeat.

Gillot admitted at the time that trying to compete on both domestic and European fronts was stretching his squad to its limit, and injuries also began to mount up.

After beating Marseille 1-0 away at the start of March, Le Sang et Or failed to win any of their next five games.

That included a 2-1 defeat to Paris St Germain, who at the time were bottom of the table.

In their last three games of the season, they lost 3-0 away twice - to Lyon then Troyes - while they could only draw 0-0 at home to lowly Nice in their final home clash.

If Alain Perrin does not end up replacing Gerard Houllier as coach of Lyon, the Sochaux boss could be a potential successor to Gillot at the Stade Felix-Bollaert.

DISASTER FOR LENS........

2007-05-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Ten-man Lens missed out on Champions League football next season after being beaten by relegated Troyes.

Last week's defeat to PSG had consigned Troyes to the drop, but goals from Gael Danic, Blaise Matuidi and Yann Lachuer gave outgoing coach Jean-Marc Furlan the perfect send off.

The result was hard on Lens who had to play most of the game with 10 men after defender Marco Ramos was dismissed for a second booking in the first half.

And after starting the game in third place and a win away from Champions League football, results elsewhere meant that Lens finished fifth and missed out on a UEFA Cup place.

The home side started the game well and got their rewards when Danic fired them in front after only nine minutes.

Gharib Amzine whipped in a fine cross from the left and Danic rose unmarked to head past the stranded Charles Itandje.

Lens slowly began to get themselves in the game and they could have been level but Olivier Monterubbio's goal-bound effort was superbly stopped by Ronan Le Crom.

Monterubbio was a threat and he twice fired wide before the game swung back in Troyes' favour when Ramos was dismissed for a second booking in the 35th minute.

The second-half started with Danic again going close with a shot that whistled past the post.

However, in the 54th minute Troyes got the crucial second goal as Matuidi managed to beat Itandje with a fine finish.

The visitors were reeling and two minutes later Lachuer effectively wrapped the game up with a powerful header.

Disgraceful scenes followed as angry Lens fans forced the game to be stopped for five minutes by throwing missiles onto the pitch.

The game eventually resumed and only another excellent stop by Itandje from Lachuer's effort prevented the scoreline getting worse for Lens as Troyes ended the season in positive fashion.

LENS MOVE UP DESPITE DULL DRAW

2007-05-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

Lens climbed to third in the standings and into a Champions League qualifying round place with a goalless draw at home against Nice.

Looking to reach next year's elite club competition in Europe, Lens will now try to win at Troyes next week on the last weekend of Ligue 1 to clinch third place.

They are level with fourth-place Bordeaux on 57 points and fifth-top Rennes also still have a chance of finishing in third as they are a point further adrift.

The early exchanges between Lens and Nice on Saturday were tense with neither team committing too many players forward.

The hosts did enjoy more possession while for Nice, it was not until the 11th minute that they were able to make any headway into the Lens half.

Even that was a wasted long ball with the visitors unable to exert any pressure.

Nice's first meaningful shot on goal came in the 24th minute when Olivier Echouafni found himself a yard in space and let fly with a rocket from 20 yards.

Charles Itandje was equal to the task and firmly parried the ball away.

Daniel Cousin got a brief sight of goal after great work from Abdoulrazak Boukari down the right.

Boukari raced past Apam before delivering a cross towards Cousin, who was thwarted only by a last ditch tackle from Kante to keep the scores level.

After the restart, a great move started by the Nice defence saw Echouafni set up Kone for a one-on-one with Itandje in the Lens goal.

The veteran keeper spotted the danger in good time and his sliding tackle was perfectly timed to deny the onrushing striker.

Lens threatened as Olivier Monterubbio delivered a cross to the near post towards Issam Jemaa whose glancing header missed the bar by a whisker.

Florent Balmont played a smart one-two with Marama Vahirua to create space to shoot but his right foot strike drifted wide of the far post.

Nice were almost rewarded for a good good period of pressure when a breaking ball found its way to Ederson, whose thunderous volley beats the keeper but not the post.

Near the end, Sidi Keita tried his luck from 25 yards out but his right foot strike failed to test the visiting keeper.

Lens Champions league hopes sinking fast

2007-05-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Lens' bid for Champions League qualification was dealt a blow on Wednesday after they suffered a drubbing at Lyon.

Sidney Govou, Juninho Pernambucano and Alou Diarra were all on target for the champions as they eased past the visitors to move 20 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.

Le Sang et Or failed to build on their 2-0 victory over Toulouse at the weekend and defeat, coupled with results elsewhere, mean Francis Gillot's men drop to joint-third on 56 points with Bordeaux.

They are two points behind Marseille with two games remaining.

A strong start from Lens saw Aruna Dindane come close early on with a free-kick, before the home team almost opened the scoring after good work from Karim Benzema saw him turn his marker inside out, before hitting a powerful shot that thumped off the left-hand upright.

In the 18th minute a Juninho free-kick was flicked goalward by Diarra, who drew a fine save from Charles Itandje, tipping the ball on to the bar.

Four minutes later the deadlock was broken. Fine work and a cross from Sylvain Wiltord down the left saw the ball come to Govou near the penalty spot and his acrobatic effort gave Itandje no chance.

The home team continued to dominate and were 2-0 up in the 38th minute after Florent Malouda teed up Juninho from 25 yards and the Brazilian's perfectly curled shot beat a sprawling Itandje as it nestled into the top left-hand corner.

And in the 45th minute it was three - Nenad Kovacevic pulling down Tiago Mendes in the penalty area and Diarra making no mistake from the spot.

The second half was a quieter affair with Lyon opting to sit back.

Benzema poked the ball past the post from close range and another audacious effort from Juninho were the closest they came, while the visitors were restricted to wayward long-range efforts.

Lens back to Champions League Contention

2007-05-07T16:54:00.000-07:00

Lens left it late to steal three crucial points from Toulouse and move into second place in the Ligue 1 standings.

Seydou Keita dealt the killer blow in the 82nd minute after a spirited Toulouse display looked to have earned a point, while Daniel Cousin's last-minute penalty sealed the win for the hosts.
Lens move ahead of Bordeaux on goal difference and lead the way ahead of a whole host of clubs who could all clinch second behind already-crowned champions Lyon.

Toulouse had the better of the first half and could have gone ahead as early as the third minute when Pantxi Sireix's effort was parried by goalkeeper Charles Itandje.

The home side had their chances, too, and when Eric Carriere launched a speculative lob into the area after 25 minutes, striker Aruna Dindane's snap-shot fizzed narrowly past the upright.

Lens approached the second-half with more vigour and Dindane again went close shortly after the break, but failed to hit the target after being found superbly by Cousin.

Vitorino Hilton thought he had broken the deadlock with his header in the 68th minute but Nicolas Douchez got down just in time to keep Toulouse in the match.

But he could do nothing when, eight minutes from time, Keita received an inch-perfect pass from Dindane and fired past the despairing keeper from a tight angle.

And the win was put beyond doubt in the final minute when Hilton's shirt was clearly pulled in the area by Dominique Arribage, paving the way for Cousin to score from the from the resulting spot-kick.

A sinking feeling

2007-05-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

Bordeaux leapfrogged Lens into second place in the Ligue 1 table with a victory which was achieved despite going a man down before half-time.
Jussie scored the game's only goal early in the first half before David Jemmali saw red for a dangerous tackle as the interval approached.
With the title already sewn up by Lyon, the battle is on to finish in the second automatic Champions League spot and the win moves Bordeaux two points clear of their rivals.
It was Lens, though, who had the game's first opportunity through Aruna Dindane.
The Ivorian marksman was too slow when presented with the ball in front of goal and goalkeeper Ulrich Rame nipped in to pinch the ball off his toes.
Bordeaux did not have to wait long for the opener, however, when Alejandro Alonso freed Silva Wendel down the right channel and his cross was turned in by the waiting Jussie.
Ricardo Gomes' men could easily have extended their lead soon after when Jussie crossed for Alonso at the back post and his knock-down found Fernando Cavenaghi, whose goal-bound shot was deflected behind.
Jussie had another good opportunity when he danced his way through the Lens defence, but lacked composure on his finish, which flew way over Charles Itandje's bar.
Jemmali was then dismissed for a bad tackle on Dindane eight minutes from half-time.
Lens were not slow in trying to exploit their one-man advantage and went close through Abdoulrazak Boukari's drive after he was found by the flying Yohan Demont.
But Bordeaux are not unbeaten in nine games for nothing and, while they were not as adventurous as in the first period, they showed their defensive strength in a dogged second-half display.
Olivier Monterrubio set up Demont for a chance he wasted and then the two combined again, only this time Monterrubio shot too close to Rame as Bordeaux hung on to claim an important win.

Lens back to second

2007-04-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

Lens leapt back up to second with a 2-0 win over Le Mans at the Stade Bollaert. Yohann Pelé was on top form for the visitors but was unable to stop Lens record their 14th victory of the season.

With Lens fighting to regain the place they lost to Toulouse last weekend and Le Mans still in the hunt for a European place at the end of the season, the match was always going to be a exciting affair and the two teams made sure the game lived up to its expectations.

The first-half boiled down to a battle between Lens' powerful striker Aruna Dindane and Le Man's 'keeper Yohann Pelé. The match's first real chance came in the 22nd minute when Dindane collected the ball on the right-hand side of the area, steadied himself and thumped it straight at Pelé. The visiting guardian then rushed out of his goal to save from the Ivorian's feet. At the other end, a smart parry by Charles Itandje from a Ndri Romaric free-kick avoided any embarrassment for the home side before another Pelé save from Dindane kept the scores level at the break.

Pelé was once again on form to keep out a Dindane effort minutes into the second-half but ten minutes in Lens finally broke the deadlock with Carriére stroking home after Yohann Demont has played the ball across the box. Lens didn't sit back and continued to pound Pelé's goal, Dindane, Carriére and Daniel Cousin all going close. They complemented their attacking zeal with an impressive defensive performance as Itandje again foiled the visitors, and in particular, Ismael Bangoura.

Ultimately, Le Man paid the price of searching too hard for the equaliser as Lens scored a second with two minutes to go which wrapped up the three points for the home side. Seydou Keita rose at a corner and headed past a immobile Pelé. Considering the 'keepers magnificent work throughout it was a cruel blow for the game to finish 2-0. lens though won't be complaining as it puts them in pole position for the second UEFA Champions League spot.Francis Gillot (Lens manager)"It feels good to win agains and I think we deserved it. Everybody complained last week that there weren't enough goals but without two fantastic goalkeepers tonight it could have been 5-2, or even 6-2. We needed to win here because we face Bordeaux and toulouse in our next two matches. We're on 53 points and we need seven or eight more to finish in the first three. We have to build on this victory with another win at Bordeaux."

LENS SLIP AGAIN

2007-04-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

Second-placed Lens' pursuit of Ligue 1 leaders Lyon continued to falter when UEFA Cup hopefuls Rennes sprung a surprise to win 1-0.

Two consecutive defeats for Le Sang et Or - most recently at the hands of lowly Paris St Germain - had gone some way to crowning Gerard Houllier's side as champions but this latest defeat, thanks to John Utaka's first-half finish, calls even their hold on an automatic Champions League spot into question.

Utaka set the tone as early as the third minute when he coasted past his marker from a deep-lying position before advancing on the Lens goal and unleashing a shot.

Goalkeeper Charles Itandje was up to the challenge, saving well to deny Utaka.

After 18 minutes Rennes were on the attack again and a well-worked free-kick routine, culminating in a shot by Etienne Didot, again pressed Itandje into action.

It took just another 11 minutes for the home side to convert their dominance into a tangible advantage when Utaka receieved a fine pass from Olivier Sorlin before cleverly beating Itandje with a well-directed finish.

Lens made a first genuine attempt on goal six minutes after the restart when Eric Carriere took advantage of a poor clearance from Jacques Faty.

His shot was solid enough but could not beat the underworked Simon Pouplin in the Rennes goal.

Rennes reasserted themselves on the match and created another superb chance five minutes later when good interplay between Mario Melchiot and Jimmy Briand presented Utaka with a wonderful opportunity.

Utaka somehow turned the ball over the crossbar but Rennes were not made to pay when Abdoulrazak Boukari could not steer his volley past the impressive Pouplin.

Yet another loss

2007-04-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

Paris St Germain climbed out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone as goals by Amara Diane and Sylvain Armand helped see off second-placed Lens on Sunday.

Sedan's win at Nantes earlier in the day had briefly left PSG bottom of the pile, but Diane's well-taken strike early on and captain Armand's 71st-minute volley lifted them three places to 17th.

Sandwiched between those efforts was an own goal by PSG defender David Rozehnal, but Armand's winner ended a four-match losing streak and earned the capital club a first win at the Stade Felix-Bollaert in 10 years.

The game was just two minutes old when PSG took the lead.

A beautiful free-flowing move comprising countless passes ended when Peguy Luyindula slid in Diane, who placed a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

The visitors, buoyed by their early goal, bossed the early stages and it took Lens a while to get going.

Their first opportunity arrived in the 28th minute, Issam Jemaa's poked effort saved by Mickael Landreau and the rebound just evading Olivier Monterrubio, who would have had an open goal.

Jemaa and Nenad Kovacevic also had half-chances before the break as the visitors struggled to maintain their strong start.

Le Sang et Or's equaliser arrived in the 52nd minute when Monterrubio flighted in a free-kick and Rozehnal - unsighted by Aruna Dindane running across his path - deflected the ball into his own goal.

Lens were dominant and both Jemaa and Seydou Keita should have done better with efforts that flew by Landreau's upright.

On a rare breakaway, Luyindula wasted a great chance to put PSG back in front when he side-footed a pinpoint Jerome Rothen cross wide in the 67th minute.

They were not to be denied, however, and four minutes later Armand flicked a left foot out to turn Rothen's free-kick into the bottom corner for the winner.

LENS FALL TO DEFEAT AGAIN

2007-03-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

Lens suffered their second defeat in four days as they slipped up 1-0 at Auxerre.

Le Sang et Or crashed out of the UEFA Cup on Wednesday with a 3-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, and things barely improved on Sunday.

They fell behind to Thomas Kahlenberg's goal after 16 minutes and never found a way back into the game.

Kanga Akale was the architect of the goal as he led a lightning counter-attack for the hosts.
He found the rampaging Kahlenberg who controlled the ball before beating Charles Itandje with a neat shot across the keeper.

Benoit Cheyrou had the chance to double the lead five minutes later when he latched onto a cross from the left, but his volley went wide.

On the half-hour mark, Ireneusz Jelen embarked on a solo attack, taking the ball past three defenders before putting his shot just over the bar.

Lens had the chance to level 10 minutes before the break, but Yohan Demont could only shoot straight at Olivier Sorin when the ball fell to him following a scramble in the penalty area.

Auxerre were on the front foot again after the break, and Kahlenberg's volley forced Itandje to punch, while at the other end, Vitorino Hilton's shot drew a similar save from Sorin.

Jelen looked set to extend Auxerre's lead after 64 minutes when he was through on the goalkeeper, but Hilton somehow managed to get back to clear the danger.

A tiring Lens side struggled to create many chances, with Olivier Monterrubio's shot just over the bar their best effort.

And they could have been two down in stoppage time, had it not been for Itandje, who produced a great save to keep out Jelen's header from Daniel Niculae's cross

Lens grabs a point

2007-03-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

In-form Sedan met their match in Lens on Sunday night, being denied a third straight victory as they were held 1-1 by the second-placed club.

Sedan have been in inspired form of late as they seek to avoid relegation, recording back-to-back victories to get back into contention at the bottom end of the table.

They threatened to take all three points again when they grabbed the lead after just two minutes through Gregory Pujol, but they had to settle for a point after Seydou Keita hit a 30th-minute equaliser.

Coming off victories over Rennes and Paris St Germain, Sedan looked every bit the form team as they took the lead almost immediately.

Capitalising on a mix-up in the Lens defence, Pujol was able to take a tough before firing left-footed past home goalkeeper Charles Itandje.

But Lens are in decent form themselves having beaten Marseille last weekend, and they almost equalised in the 15th minute when Hilton headed narrowly wide.

They poured forward again seven minutes later when Romain Satre had to clear the ball of his own line after a scramble in front of goal.

The equaliser came on the half-hour mark when Olivier Monterubbio's free-kick found Keita who planted his header into the roof of the net with Stephane Trevisan motionless on his line.

Lens might have added a second 10 minutes before half-time when Yohan Demont crossed for Aruna Dindane at the near post, but Trevisan saved his effort on goal.

Sedan were on the attack again early in the second half when Joseph-Desire Job picked up the ball on the edge of the area and sent a left-footed shot narrowly wide.

However, Lens were the better team from then on. Just after the hour mark Monterrubio crossed for Dindane but his diving header skimmed the crossbar.

They hit the woodwork again 17 minutes from time when Monterrubio's shot smashed against the left-hand post with Trevisan beaten.

RC Lens takes a 2-1 advantage to Germany

2007-03-09T10:49:00.000-08:00

RC Lens defeated Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 at Stade Félix-Bollaert to establish a slender advantage in their UEFA Cup last-16 tie.

Penalty decider
Leverkusen defender Karim Haggui looked to have earned the visitors a fine result when he cancelled out Olivier Monterrubio's first-half goal with a firm header on 50 minutes. But the Tunisian undid his good work by giving away a penalty, dispatched by Daniel Cousin, and picking up a second yellow card. The ten men of Leverkusen avoided further damage in the last 20 minutes and remain in contention for the second leg on 14 March.

Under pressure
Lens started nervously and could easily have conceded inside the first five minutes. Yohan Demont was caught in possession by Tranquillo Barnetta and the Swiss international threaded a pass through for Sergej Barbarez, but his cutback failed to find Andriy Voronin. Simon Rolfes then headed Bernd Schneider's free-kick wide as the German outfit began strongly.

Deadlock broken
With the visitors adopting an attack-minded approach the game flowed nicely but it was Lens who struck first on 17 minutes, Monterrubio racing on to Vitorino Hilton's pass and striking a sweet lob over René Adler. Leverkusen remained a threat, however, and came close to equalising before the break, Voronin shooting narrowly wide.

The equaliser
The pressure on the Lens goal increased after the interval, with goalkeeper Charles Itandje producing a fine save to keep out Voronin's header, only for Haggui to score moments later. The former RC Strasbourg defender rose unopposed at the near post to nod in Gonzalo Castro's corner.

On the spot
Haggui's evening turned sour when he was dismissed after bringing down Monterrubio on 70 minutes, allowing Cousin to calmly slot home from the spot. Les Sang et Or pressed forward in search of a third, and substitute Issam Jemaa might have scored had his goal-bound effort not struck his team-mate Aruna Dindane, while Hilton fired narrowly wide in the dying seconds.

Is Charles Itandje headed to Marseille?

2007-03-07T11:51:00.000-08:00

According to the magazine “Foot Transfers”, Charles Itandje would be on Marseille's radar for the next transfer period. Not sold on the services of Cédric Carasso this season, L'OM plans to aquire a new keeper. They would thus be inquiring about the availabilitiy of big Charles as well as Yohan Pelé of Le Mans.

Nevertheless, it is hard to imagine the Franco-Cameronian leaving at this point when Lens stands a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League while L'OM remains in a free fall.

Moreover, it is necessary to add the current sale of Marseille which remains unsettled. “Foot Transferts” also notes that Lens officials will try to extend Itandje's stay, by prolonging his remaining one year contract.

Dindane on the spot as Lens beat Marseille 1-0

2007-03-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

By Julien Pretot

PARIS, March 4 - Arunda Dindane scored from the spot as RC Lens moved closer to a direct Champions League qualifying spot with a 1-0 victory at Olympique Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Lens, second in the standings with 48 points from 27 matches, enjoy a six-point lead over third-placed Lille, who thrashed Troyes 4-0 on Saturday.

Lens remain 13 points behind leaders Olympique Lyon, who made a decisive step towards a record sixth consecutive title with a 3-1 win at bitter rivals St Etienne in a derby marred by crowd trouble, also on Saturday.

Marseille, who have only scored one goal from their last six league matches, remain eighth on 38 points.

The Provence side had the best chance in the first half when a Mickael Pagis volley shaved Charles Itandje's right post.

Lens, however, proved a tough nut to crack, with Vitorino Hilton and Adama Coulibaly marshalling the defence.

The visitors went ahead in the 59th minute when Ivory Coast striker Dindane wrong-footed keeper Cedric Carasso from the spot after being fouled in the box by Taye Taiwo.

"I had said if we wanted to play in the Champions League, we had to be solid in Marseille," said Lens midfielder Eric Carriere, playing his 300th top flight game.

"And we were solid. We played a good game, tactically speaking."

LENS AND LILLE BLAST BLATTER

2007-03-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

By Steve Douglas and Martyn Ziegler, PA Sport

Manchester United's controversial Champions League tie with Lille remained in the spotlight on Thursday, with FIFA president Sepp Blatter coming under fire for his criticism of the stadium used to hold last week's fractious first leg.

Blatter does not believe Lens' Stade Felix-Bollaert, the venue where United fans were crushed against metal fences during the match, is fit to host a Champions League game.

But the presidents of Lens and Lille, two rival clubs from the north of France, joined forces and rounded on the FIFA supremo.

They claim his remarks are "irresponsible", have no foundation and insist UEFA gave the go-ahead for the match to take place at the Bollaert.

Lens president Gervais Martel said: "This position is scandalous. A number of European matches have been organised at the Bollaert since 1998.

"Our enclosure fits perfectly with the UEFA regulations and there has never been the slightest incident until English supporters provoked one with fake tickets.

"I am going to immediately send a letter to UEFA president Michel Platini, as well as to Sepp Blatter, to ask him for his explanations and to invite him to Lens.

"It is irresponsible on his part to make such remarks."

Lille president Michel Seydoux added: "I am in total agreement with Gervais Martel.

"The Bollaert is allowed [to be used] for competition, full stop. It is officially ratified.

"UEFA's security commission validated three times the decision to hold Lille-Manchester United in Lens.

"We, and especially Lens, have hosted a large number of European games without any problems."

Lille have chosen to play their home matches in this season's Champions League at the Bollaert because their own stadium does not comply with UEFA tournament regulations.

Seydoux added: "We have respected the rules: the Stadium Nord isn't officially ratified, so we are not playing there."

Lille are blaming United for last week's crowd problems, claiming their early distribution of tickets allowed high-quality fakes to be produced.

Blatter said on Wednesday: "I cannot understand that those who organise the Champions League accept a stadium like Lens' to play such a match.

"In Lens, there are fences still, and it should not be permitted to play Champions League matches in such a stadium."

Meanwhile, UEFA are likely to reject an appeal against the decision to allow Ryan Giggs' goal in the 1-0 win for United to stand.

Lille claim the quickly-taken free-kick should not have been allowed to stand but UEFA rejected their protest last week, saying it had been entirely within the laws of the game.

The second leg of the last-16 tie takes place at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Ebarrasing defeat: Montceau 1-0 Lens

2007-03-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

A penalty eleven minutes from time gave fourth division side FC Montceau Bourgogne a historic French Cup quarter-final win against RC Lens today while Paris Saint-Germain FC were also knocked out by FC Sochaux-Montbéliard.

Amateur achievement
Christophe Alidor, who converted the spot-kick following a foul by Lens goalkeeper Sébastien Chabbert, said: "I'm not the usual penalty taker, but I had a very good feeling about that one." Located in Saone-et-Loire, Montceau are the first amateur side to reach the last four of French Cup since Calais RUFC in 1999/00. They also eliminated FC Girondins de Bordeaux on penalties in the previous round.

Calais example
Seven years ago, Calais went all the way to the final at Stade de France, where they were beaten by FC Nantes Atlantique, and Montceau president Jean-Claude Bailly is eyeing a similar achievement. "Emulate Calais, why not?" said Bailly. "Whatever happens now is more than a bonus but I must say that we deserved to win tonight."

Hadji denies Lens

2007-02-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

Youssouf Hadji struck a last-gasp equaliser for Nancy to deny high-flying Lens on Sunday.

The second-placed hosts went into the game 14 points adrift of runaway leaders Lyon and, while they have no serious title aspirations, the stalemate against Nancy will dent their hopes of playing in European competition next season.

Hadji proved to be the heart-breaker for the home fans as he rose highest to head home Benjamin Gavanon's right-wing free-kick.

It proved the last act of a pulsating encounter in which Lens overcame the early setback of going behind to come within seconds of registering their 13th win of the season.

Nancy started well, though, and took the lead after seven minutes.

Having been played in by Jonathan Brison, Marc-Antoine Fortune finished coolly, beating home keeper Charles Itandje with a crisp finish.

Lens hit back 11 minutes later, Eric Carriere crossing for Aruna Dindane to place a stunning header into the top corner.

Nancy almost restored their lead within 60 seconds as Itandje was forced to produce a wonder save to keep out Mickael Chretien's long-range free-kick.

Having survived that scare, Lens went ahead midway through the first half.

Dindane was pushed inside the area by Pape Diakhate and Seydou Keita slotted home the spot-kick.

Fortune shot wide as Nancy started the second half positively and they should have made the pressure count when Issiar Dia burst into the area only to shoot well wide of the mark.

It looked as though they had missed their chance but Hadji proved otherwise.

Lens advance after Athens shut-out!

2007-02-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

RC Lens progressed to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup at the expense of ten-man Panathinaikos FC as the French side's 3-1 first-leg lead proved decisive following a goalless draw in Athens.

Hosts frustrated
Francis Gillot's team held firm against their Greek hosts who, despite long spells of possession, grew increasingly frustrated and ended the night a man down after Nasief Morris's dismissal for a lunge at Daniel Cousin. Lens's reward is a Round of 16 tie against German outfit Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Limited opportunities
In a first half short on chances, the home side's Dimitrios Salpingidis wasted a golden opportunity on 25 minutes. After pouncing on a poor clearance, he beat goalkeeper Charles Itandje with his shot only to see the ball cleared off the line. Panathinaikos stepped up a gear after the break, however, impressing with their work down the flanks where 16-year-old sensation Sotirios Ninis and Austrian international Andreas Ivanschitz caught the eye.

Woodwork denies Tziolis
Ninis constantly probed and teased the Lens defence while the industrious Ivanschitz came close to making the breakthrough on 66 minutes, his free-kick being tipped around the post by Itandje. Sidi Keita then fired over from a rare Lens attack before Panathinaikos were denied by the woodwork as Alexandros Tziolis headed against the bar. With ten minutes remaining, though, the hosts' hopes finally vanished as South African Morris was sent off for bringing down Cousin as he raced through on goal.

UEFA Cup Preview: Panathinaikos - RC Lens

2007-02-22T10:58:00.000-08:00

Where: Olympic Stadium, Athens

When: 21:45 CET, Thursday, February 22, 2007

The first Leg
Panathinaikos take on RC Lens at the Olympic Stadium in Athens knowing that they must score at least twice in order to advance after the 3-1 defeat they suffered away at Stade Felix-Bollaert.

In the first leg Issam Jemaa gave the lead to the hosts with a stunning effort early on into the second period. Dimitris Salpigidis with a carbon-copy goal equalized for the visitors only to see Jemaa put Lens ahead once again five minutes later. Finally, Aruna Dindande converted a late penalty that may be the decisive factor in the progression of the French side with one minute left on the clock.

As pointed by both coaches though, Panathinaikos might deserve a better score from the first leg as Lens' two last goals may have been courtesy of tragic mistakes by the visitors’ defense. They same may be said of the visitors only goal however. At 2-1 goalkeeper Mario Galinovic jumped but failed to block the ball giving a chance to Jemaa to profit in front of an unguarded net, while at 3-1 Lucas Vintra for no apparent reason tripped down into the edge of the area Yohan Demont who could do little to threaten Pana’s goal.

Quick Goal
However, Panathinaikos now enjoy a significant boost of self-confidence after their 4-1 triumph over AEK for the Super League. On Sunday, Pana with three quick goals had put an end to the derby for the second spot of the table virtually from the first 24 minutes of the game. Pana's boorish Spanish boss Victor Munoz wants a repeat of this attacking display mentioning in a pre-match press conference:

“It would be great if we scored a quick goal as it would give us self-confidence to go ahead (for a second one). Nevertheless, we have to play for 90 minutes and you never know. We may score two goals first and conceive one later before scoring for another time. For us the important thing is to go through.”

Gillot: Not Afraid Of Pana Friends
For the visitors’ coach Francis Gillot it seems apparent that the second leg in Athens will be a very tough game for his club but he doesn’t seem to fear Panathinaikos’ 60.000 fans who will be on their team’s side on Thursday evening.

“We are used to playing in front of big crowds but it’s not the fans who play, the squad that is playing on the field is what matters,” he said adding: “It may be good for Panathinakos to achieve an early goal but the same applies for us.”

Background Statistics
Panathinaikos against French opposition have so far won four games, drawn two and lost four. On the other hand, Lens have never met any other Greek opponents.

The hosts qualified for the round of last 32 finishing top of UEFA Cup Group G, while Lens made it to the knockout stage through the third spot of Group D, but are much improved since.

Draw on the rock: Lens 0, Monaco 0

2007-02-19T13:05:00.000-08:00

Lens lost some ground on leaders Lyon as they were held to a goalless draw at Monaco on Sunday.

Le Sang et Or are in second in Ligue 1 but are now 15 points behind Lyon, whose capture of a sixth consecutive title would now seem to be only a question of time.

Monaco will welcome the point but the principality club now lies only four points above the relegation zone and could have badly done with maximum points.

Lens started the game well and Aruna Dindane crossed the ball to Olivier Monterrubio after 11 minutes - the former Rennes player controlled the ball well and shot but Monaco goalkeeper Flavio Roma saved well with his fingertips.

Monaco went close after 23 minutes when Jaroslav Plasil crossed the ball towards his fellow Czech international Jan Koller but the giant striker headed wide.

Yaya Toure then tried his luck with a free-kick but Lens goalkeeper Charles Itandje alertly double-fisted the ball to safety.

Roma then made a fine save from Dindane whose initial shot was blocked by a defender but then had another shooting chance when set up by Eric Carriere.

In the second half, Lens' Adama Coulibaly forced Roma to make another save.

Roma was in inspired form for Monaco and then produced a fine save to deny Dindane, who had fired in a shot after Monterrubio's initial attempt had been blocked.

Monaco had a couple of late chances to snatch the spoils for themselves.

First substitute Juan Pablo Pino forced Itandje to block the ball and then Mohamed Kallon headed wide after connecting with a headed pass from Sylvain Monsoreau.

Charles Itandje addresses the press

2007-02-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

At the forefront, of the current success of Les Sang et Or, Charles Itandje answers questions from journalists present at the press conference preceding the upcoming match against Monaco.

> Charles Itandje, things are going well for Lens at this moment…
Provided that it lasts! It is true that in Le Championat, we are on a beautiful course. Out of the UEFA cup all goes well. There remains important matches, and we have a rather charged February. It is necessary that things remain on course.

> Lens plays three competitions and, for a football player, it doesn't get any better than that! Does it break the routine of the championship?
It is good for the group. It is good to connect the matches, and to play a lot. One can better progress individually and collectively. It is a team which was formed long term and, now, we are really good! Provided that that lasts!

> You prefer to play rather than to train?
It is more pleasant to play but training is important. It is while playing that one can judge one's progression and one's qualities.

> Charles, fortunately you are tall since, this Sunday, opposite you stand Jan Koller and Frederic Piquionne.
Yes, that can help. But not too much will be played through the air. They are players who like to have the ball at their feet, and create space for Frederic Piquionne. Jan Koller is tall but its strong point is not inevitably heading. It would be rather with his back to the goal, to keep the ball well,… he is a good player. On the penalty kicks, it is a major element.

> With Monaco, it is all or nothing. It can be a tricky match as it can also be an easycan be an easy match?
Of course. Monaco had a bad first half of the season, and we played them at home when they were not doing very well. Now, it is a very different team in Monaco that we will meet Sunday. It should be taken very seriously in order to preserve our points near the top of the table.

> a small word on both Serbs Nenad Kovacevic and Milan Bisevac?
They are players that are very integrated into the club! From their qualities and their determination, they have achieved this. With what Nenad Kovacevic brought to us as of his first match against Valencians, one had the impression that he had already played with us for several years. He knew very well how to get integrated! Milan Bisevac is a central defender who can play on the right side and, in spite of his training as a central defender, is very at ease with the ball at his feet. He can go up and defends very well. It is really the kind of temperament which we also needed.

> Its been almost four, five months that Nenad Kovacevic has been here…
I rather have the impression that he has been here two, three years! (note: laughter)

>… you could observe this boy makes very few mistakes?
He makes few errors because he has sacrificed enormously for the team! But its only been five months since he's been here, and there will, can be a moment when he will have a little touch of the blues. It happens in the life of the professional athlete. But its clear that since he has been here, he has been very good.

Lens Rolls on in Europe: Lens 3, Panathinaikos 1

2007-02-16T11:16:00.000-08:00

Two goals from Issam Jemaa helped give in-form RC Lens a clear edge with a first-leg victory in this UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie, though Panathinaikos FC will take heart from their away goal in France.

The game effectively came to life in the second half with Jemaa's superbly taken first-time effort shortly after the interval.

Dimitrios Salpingidis brought Panathinaikos level but Jemaa wasted little time in restoring the hosts' lead and Aruna Dindane made it 3-1 for Lens from the penalty spot in the last minute.

Both sides spurned chances to go in front in a scrappy first half and when battle recommenced after the break, it did not take long for Lens to edge ahead. Daniel Cousin's flick set up Jemaa, whose left-footed shot found the net from outside the area in the 49th minute. Mario Galinović's smart save prevented Cousin from making it 2-0 and the busy goalkeeper next thwarted Dindane.

His heroics were rewarded at the other end in the 65th minute when Salpingidis took possession and equalised for the visitors from Greece with another effort from outside the box. Parity lasted only five minutes as Dindane teed up Jemaa to strike from close range and the Ivory Coast international got on the scoresheet himself with a late penalty after Yohan Demont was upended in the area.

The second leg will be played in Greece.

Lens move closer to Champions League spot with 3-1 victory

2007-02-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

RC Lens's hopes of claiming a direct Champions League qualifying spot for next season were given a boost when they beat Sochaux 3-1 in a Ligue 1 game on Sunday.

Lens are second in the standings with 43 points, 11 adrift of Olympique Lyon and four ahead of third-placed Lille, who lost 1-0 at Toulouse on Saturday.

Leaders Lyon clinched their first league win of the year when a Fred goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Lorient, also on Saturday.

Lens struck twice within three minutes to take a 2-0 lead by halftime. Centre back Vitorino Hilton headed home an Olivier Monterrubio free kick in the 28th minute with captain Seydou Keita making it 2-0 on the half hour mark when he latched onto an Aruna Dindane cross.

Lens, who were without a win on home turf since Dec. 2, added a third on 60 minutes through Ivory Coast striker Dindane, who was set up by Monterrubio before beating Teddy Richert from close range.

Sochaux's Serbian defender Dusko Tosic scored a consolation goal five minutes from time.

"Sochaux were tough to play until we opened the scoring," said Monterrubio, who joined from Stade Rennes during the January transfer window. "We made a real difference on set pieces."

Back in second: Lens 3, Valenciennes 1

2007-02-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

Lens reclaimed second place in the league following Lille's 0-0 draw against Nantes earlier in the day with a 2-1 win away over Valenciennes. Eric Carriere opened the scoring with a header after Valenciennes failed to effectively clear a free-kick. Any ideas Antoine Kombouare's side had of winning a seventh home league game were dealt a severe blow when Seydou Keita spun in the box and fired home his team's second on the stroke of half-time.

Steve Savidan reduced the arrears ten minutes into the second period as Valenciennes came out fighting. Marco Ramos handled in the box and the referee, Stéphane Bre, had no option but to point to the penalty spot with Savidan slotting home with confidence. With Lens on the ropes, Rudy Haddad was given an excellent opportunity to put his team level. However Charles Itandje came to the rescue and pushed the Frenchman's shot wide. The Lens 'keeper had to be alert once more on 72 minutes to thwart Sébastien Roudet.

As the match entered its final moments, Valenciennes' heads dropped and the visitors took advantage with a third goal in injury-time, Isaam Jemaa the scorer. The result sees Lens leap into second above Lille on 40 points.

LENS QUALIFIES! Lens 4, Clermont 1

2007-02-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

Lens shattered Clermont's French Cup dreams with a brutal 4-1 win at the National side's Gabriel Montpied stadium. Following on from their stunning comeback where they came back from 3-0 down against Saint-Etienne on Sunday, Lens started this game in barnstorming fashion, captain Seydou Keita, who scored the draw-grabbing header in stoppage time at the weekend, continuing where he left off in the 22nd minute. Three further goals followed in the second-half before Clermont pulled a late goal back with fifteen minutes to go. However, it was nothing more than a consolation as Lens held on to advance to the last eight.

Lens loses two of it's best players........

2007-02-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

RC Lens has lost two of its most talent players in Olivier Thomert and Jussie. Olivier Monterrubio moves in a swap deal with Olivier Thomert and Rennes boss Pierre Dreossi told the www.staderennais.com website: "We have been watching Thomert for a while.

"Olivier Monterrubio has not been up to his normal standard the last couple of months - he had two offers (Lens and Nice) and he really wanted to leave. He did not want to stay at Rennes."

The Brazilizn Jussie who was a hero two weeks ago in the northern derby against Lille leaves for Bordeaux where he said he hopes to help the Girondins reach the top of the table. Among the things Jussie cited about leaving for Bordeaux was the favorable weather.

Damian Tixier headed to Lens

2007-01-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

Sources in France are reporting that left back Damian Tixier from Portuguese side Leira, will sign a two year difinitive transfer tommorow with RC Lens.

"It is true. I will arrive at Lens tomorrow. It is what I agreed with the Lens officials," Tixier said. "We have agreed to a two year contract."

The 26 year old Frenchman was having a fine season with Leira and Lens coach Francis Gillot had publicly stated his wishes for a quality left back this past week.

AMAZING COMEBACK! Lens 3, St. Etienne 3

2007-01-29T09:36:00.000-08:00

Lens completed an unprecedented comeback to snatch a 3-3 draw against St Etienne on Sunday and move up to third in the Ligue 1 table.

The hosts scored twice in the final five minutes against a stunned St Etienne in a game of two halves at the Stade Felix-Bollaert.

The visitors must have thought they had the points sewn up when they went in to the interval three goals up, thanks to strikes by Batefimbi Gomis and the impressive Marek Heinz (two).

But Lens did not give in, Seydou Keita pulling a goal back in the 66th minute before further headers at the death from Adama Coulibaly and Keita again earned them a point.

The draw sees Lens climb to third in the table, a point behind northern rivals Lille.

Lens lose to Lorient and move down the table

2007-01-26T08:12:00.000-08:00

Rafik Saifi scored the only goal as Lorient beat 10-man Lens at the Stade du Moustoir.

The defeat for Le Sang et Or dropped them a place to third after Marseille's 3-1 victory over Auxerre earlier in the day.

In a dull game in Lorient, the visitors had Nenad Kovacevic sent-off after just 26 minutes to make the task of winning even more difficult.

However, points are all that matter for Christian Gourcuff's team, who with the win move up to 12th and further away from relegation.

The game started off slowly with both teams lacking a cutting edge.

After waiting 18 minutes for the first opportunity, Lorient's Fabrice Abriel made good progress through the middle and unleashed a wild shot which flew wide.

The game burst to life midway through the first-half when Kovacevic was sent off for serious foul play.

However, it looked a questionable decision as the player he fouled Ulrich Le Pen looked to have gone down with a twisted knee shortly before contact was made.

He was subsequently substituted as the game looked to be drifting nowhere.

The next real opportunity came a minute before the break when Lens had a corner and Olivier Thomert's header was only parried by home goalkeeper Remy Riou.

The ball fell straight into the path of Vitorino Hilton, who sent his shot well wide.

In injury time Hilton was involved again when his 35-yard free-kick took a deflection and beat Riou but cannoned back off the crossbar.

The only goal came five minutes after half-time when substitute Nabil Taida was released down the left and delivered a perfect cross to the near post which Saifi diverted into the goal.

Lens had good chances to get back in the game, but Aruna Dindane and Issam Jomaa both wasted their opportunities as Lorient held out for the victory.

Another young tiger gone: Kamil Zayatte to Bern

2007-01-18T19:23:00.000-08:00

After a test at Plymouth, Kamil Zayatte has gone the way of the Young Boys of Bern. A last round of tryouts with the Swiss club has turned profitable, since the Guinean from Lens has now transferred away from Ligue 1.

Seldom used with the Sang et Or, Zayatte has signed a two and a half year deal with the Young Boys. He will be retained for the friendly match on Friday vs. Frankfurt. He will wear number 29.

Derby ends in draw: Lens 1, Lille 1

2007-01-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

Jussie's goal in the 84th minute allowed Lens to take a point from its contest with Lille at the Stade Felix-Bollaert on Saturday as the two teams played to a 1-1 draw.

The result allows Lens to remain in second place in the Ligue 1 standings, giving the club a chance at grabbing a Champions League spot for next season.

After hammering Lens 4-0 back in August the first time the two clubs met, it looked like Lille would make it two-for-two as Michel Fernandes Bastos broke a scoreless tie in the 70th minute. However, three big points were not in the cards for Lille, and Jussie equalized with six minutes to play.

Lens were nearly handed the opening goal in the first minute, as Lille keeper Tony Sylva did poorly with a back-pass. Sylva's attempted clearance landed right at the feet of Lens' midfielder Eric Carriere, but his shot rolled just wide.

The visitors settled in after that, and had two opportunities before halftime to take the lead.

Peter Odemwingie made a strong run down the left flank before firing a low, hard drive that keeper Charles Itandje did well to tip around the post. Jean Makoun then had a free-kick chance sail just wide of the post, keeping the match scoreless at halftime.

Lille finally got the opener in the 70th minute as Odemwingie created room for a shot but had it blocked. The ball then caromed out to Bastos, who pounced on the loose ball at the edge of the penalty area and banged it into the back of the net.

The home side then went on the attack over the next 14 minutes, and after they were held off on a number of occasions, found the equalizer six minutes from time.

Aruna Dindane beat a Lille defender with his dribble and whipped a cross into the box that found the head of the unmarked Jussie. The Brazilian made no mistake with his header, giving Lens a split of the points.

Cousin on the way out?

2007-01-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

Nancy are reportedly interested in Lens forward Daniel Cousin, according to several French press sources. The Ligue 1 club are looking for at least one striker to be added in the January transfer window after the long term injury to Monsef Zerka.

Zerka broke a leg against Lens in their Coupe de France penalty defeat and is out for six months, while Nigerian signing Tosin Dosunmu has failed to impress and is expected to move to Waregem in Belgium.

Cousin has been a victim of Lens' formation this season, which favours a sole striker with withdrawn support from a midfielder. The striker spot has mainly gone to Aruna Dindane.

Lens would ask for around 4 million euros for the player.

LENS QUALIFIES!! 3-3, 9-8 over Nancy

2007-01-07T14:47:00.000-08:00

Calling the 3-3, 9-8 Lens victory over Nancy a thriller only tells half the story, with 20 minutes of regular time remaining, Lens had found themselves chasing a 3-1 deficit with ten men following Issam Jeema's dismissal soon after half-time. Aruna Dindane gave the side hope from the penalty spot before teenage striker Kevin Monnet-Paquet (18 years old) forced extra time with a last-gasp equaliser. Adama Coulibaly then sealed a surprise win in the shoot-out after goalkeeper Sébastien Chabbert had saved a shot from Nancy's Pascal Berenguer.

OLIVIER THOMERT: Say it isn't so.....

2007-01-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

It doesn't look good for us Olivier Thomert fans as he may be leaving Les Sang et Or for the UK. The attacking midfielder was close to joining Manchester City in the English Premiership during the summer and he has said he is determined to leave France. Another possible team Olivier may end up with is thought to be Portsmouth.

More Tigers Depart: Vignal Joins Kaiserslautern

2007-01-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

Gregory Vignal has left Lens to join Kaiserslautern on loan until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old left-back, who only moved to Le Sang et Or last summer, could make his switch permanent if he impresses at the German 2.Bundesliga club over the next five months.

Kaiserslautern will be the eighth club in the last four-and-a-half years for Vignal, who featured in just nine games for Lens this season.

So long Adel: Tottenham Complete Taarabt Loan Signing

2007-01-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of French midfielder Adel Taarabt from Ligue 1 side Lens on a long-term loan deal, subject to international clearance.

Taarabt, 17, has represented France at various age-group levels and is versatile enough to play as an attacking midfielder, a second striker or a winger.

Spurs Sporting Director Damien Comolli said: "Adel is recognised as one of the best talents in Europe for his age."

The North London Premiership club have been pursuing Taarabt all season and beat off competition from Chelsea and Arsenal to secure his services.

"He will be a healthy addition to the squad and is a continuation of our policy of attracting the best young talent as we constantly seek to improve the quality of the team both now and for the future," said Comolli.

"We're especially pleased that we beat several leading Premiership clubs to his signature."

While the arrangement between Spurs and Lens is a long-term loan deal, details of its precise length and terms, or whether it will become a permanent transfer, have not been disclosed.

However, last week Taarabt told the Lens website that Tottenham had signed him on a five-year contract.

He said: "I have signed with the London club for a period of five years.

"To be more precise, it is a three-year contract, with an option for two more years.

"Other than Tottenham, there were also Arsenal and Chelsea.

"But I opted for Spurs because of their plans for me. They effectively offered to quickly integrate me into the first team to offer me maximum playing time.

"Arsenal and Chelsea, as with Lens, suggested that I spent time in the youth team and the reserves."

Although Taarabt made his debut for Lens earlier this season, he has played only two minutes of first-team football for the club.

Early Christmas present: Lens 2, Nice 1

2006-12-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

Lens showed no ill effects from last weekend's humbling defeat to runaway Ligue 1 leaders Lyon by registering a stunning come-from-behind win at Nice.

At 1-0 down and reduced to 10 men - Nenad Kovacevic having been sent off - with 17 minutes to go, an away win seemed unlikely but Ferreira Jussie equalised Bakari Kone's opener with a penalty before Aruna Dindane netted the winner shortly afterwards.

It represented a remarkable change in fortune for Lens who were thrashed 4-0 by Lyon last time out in a top-of-the-table clash.

Lens started slowly and it was Nice who had the opening chance, former Sunderland striker David Bellion turning quickly and firing in a shot which forced a fine save from Charles Itandje.

Nice continued to look the more threatening side and they got the lead their play deserved after 26 minutes.

Kamel Larbi beat Eric Carriere down the left before crossing for Kone to volley home a fine effort.

Lens gradually worked their way into the game and Dindane felt he should have had a penalty after he seemed to be felled in the area by Onyekachi Apam.

But their momentum was stalled 17 minutes into the second half when Kovacevic picked up his second yellow card of the evening and a subsequent red following a poor challenge on Jussie.

Nice seemed well set to extend their unbeaten run to five games but they were stunned by two Lens goals in seven minutes.

The first came via the penalty spot when referee Jean Charles Cailleux adjudged Apam to have fouled Dindane and Jussie made no mistake from the spot.

The lively Dindane made it 2-1 when he smashed home a loose ball after the Nice defence had failed to clear a free-kick into the box.

Home defender Cedric Varrault levelled up the numbers with four minutes to go when he was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Dindane.

The defeat sees the hosts drop to second from bottom.

Manchester City looking to sign Aruna Dindane

2006-12-19T13:16:00.000-08:00

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce is lining up Lens winger Aruna Dindane.

The Ivory Coast international can play out-wide or through the middle and is emerging as City boss Stuart Pearce's top target for January, says British publication the People.

GILLOT: OFFICIALS BROKE OUR SPIRIT

2006-12-18T08:25:00.000-08:00

Lens coach Francis Gillot fired a broadside at the match officials after seeing his team thrashed 4-0 by "14-man" Lyon in a one-sided top-of-the-table clash at the Stade Felix Bollaert.

The leaders stretched their cushion at the summit of the Ligue 1 table to 17 points with the win, secured courtesy of strikes by the magnificent Juninho (two), Florent Malouda and Cris.

Second-placed Lens could not get close to Les Gones all game, but the turning point of the match came with the score at 1-0.

Lyon were awarded a throw-in, even though the last kick clearly came from a visiting player, and they went on to score from the resulting move.

A number of other debatable decisions went the champions' way throughout the match, incensing Gillot.

"Against Lyon, 11 versus 11, it is already difficult enough," he said. "But 14 (including the officials) against 11, it is mission impossible.

"With their errors, we still perhaps would have lost, but because of them, we went 2-0 down without Lyon having a chance.

"At half-time, our spirit was broken."

Gillot picked out one particular incident that summed up the game, in his opinion.

"There should have been a penalty for Jemaa, which wasn't given," he added.

"If a Lyon player had been the victim of the same foul, at the Stade Gerland, the penalty would have been awarded, I can assure you of that."

Gillot may have had a case up to a point, but overall, Lyon were a class above their nearest challengers for the title.

Juninho, the Brazilian dead-ball maestro, was dangerous with every set-piece, scoring the first with a free-kick from 40 yards and having a hand in the goals for Malouda and Cris.

He then added gloss to the scoreline with a finely-taken fourth, sidefooting home with unforgiving accuracy from just outside the area.

Bearing in mind Lyon were without their four chief strikers for the game, it was no wonder coach Gerard Houllier was beaming after the final whistle.

"It was a victory for team solidarity, and for poise and technique," he said.

"The image of Juninho tackling back in the 90th minute when we were 4-0 up... it shows we did not drop our guard.

"My players have progressed, gained more poise, more experience of big matches and more maturity. In short, they are stronger now."