France May 2011

Two games in France - the highlight being the visit of Marseille to Lorient.


Pretty good in pink.

Evian Thonon Gaillard 3 Troyes 0.

ETG looked like a more than a decent side as they maintained their leadership of the second division in France.

Their current base in Annecy, in the Rhone-Alps region, is one of the more attractive football locations.
In bright sunny weather the old town, the lake and the mountain backdrop provided a most conducive atmosphere.

The ground itself is an athletics venue with a track, curved terracing at the ends and two similar stands.

With ETG going well there was a large turnout of over 8,000 with many entering late plus a handful from Troyes.

ETG looked dangerous throughout this game, scoring first via the head of the impressive Angoula.
He would cause the Troyes goalie to fumble and allow an easy second.

The visitors also had a bad second period with two red cards, the second for a tackle from behind in the closing minutes.
Prior to that full back Djadjedje had driven in a great 30 yarder.

Late on Lorient.

Lorient 2 Olympique Marseille 2.

This was destined to be an attractive encounter with OM still going for the title, Lorient being strong at home and some excellent striking talent on show.

The town centre ground hosted one of the best attendances of the season, nearly 17,000, to witness a compelling match played a consistently fast pace on the ‘3G’ pitch.

Marseille as usual had good support with around 500 fans in a corner wedge and others dotted around the stadium.

The local manic ‘compere’ had stoked up the atmosphere beforehand and both teams kept the show going.
Loic Remy gave OM the lead on 14 minutes after going past a defender and slotting home right footed.

As the first half wore on the visitors had more possession but couldn’t extend their lead.

After the break Lorient came out with a purpose and equalised early on through Kone’s header.
They pushed hard at OM and got much more play as the match progressed.

Into the final ten minutes and we saw why Kevin Gameiro is causing such interest as he quickly latched onto a right wing cross. He always looked very sharp.

As OM’s championship chances drifted away sub. Gignac did get one back with a nicely taken goal.
And in the final minutes Marseille’s Benoit Cheyrou somehow contrived to miss a short range header from a setup by Abriel.

Perhaps it wouldn’t make any difference as Lille were long odds-on to complete the double but Cheyrou probably won’t forget that miss for a while.

more pictures at http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/773090298