Correa delivery cheers Nancy
Monday, April 24, 2006
Article summary
AS Nancy-Lorraine are preparing for a first European campaign since 1978/79 after victory in the French League Cup final earned them a UEFA Cup place.
Article body
AS Nancy-Lorraine have joined France's UEFA Cup armada for next season after beating OGC Nice 2-1 in Saturday's French League Cup final.
Long wait
With his team's European exile dating back to a 4-3 defeat by Swiss side Servette FC in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup second round in 1978/79, coach Pablo Correa was delighted to celebrate success at the Stade de France, saying: "It's a very, very important win for Nancy and the whole Lorraine area."
Uruguayan coach
The 39-year-old Uruguayan took over at the Marcel Picot stadium on 11 November 2002 with the club from the east of France struggling to avoid relegation to the third tier. He led them to the Ligue 2 title last term and now the League Cup, enhancing his reputation as Nancy's saviour.
Comical run
Having scored 28 goals in 119 league games for the team between 1995 and 2001, Correa was already a popular figure in the capital of the Meurthe-et-Moselle region. He increased his standing among the supporters on Saturday, making a bizarre dash on to the pitch at the final whistle - the moment of victory. "I could not control myself," he said. "I wanted to thank [the 40,000] fans who backed us at the stadium and the rest in Nancy."
Favourite son
Meanwhile, French Football Federation vice-president Michel Platini, scorer of the only goal when Nancy lifted the French Cup - also against Nice - in 1977/78, welcomed this latest triumph. "It's a very good thing," he said.
Alsace success
Now it remains to be seen whether Nancy can match the success of their neighbours from Alsace, RC Strasbourg, in the UEFA Cup next year. The red and whites certainly seem well prepared, with chief executive Gérard Parentin promising to invest the €2m prize money wisely. "All our players are under contract for next season - none will be released," he said. "We must prepare for a tougher season. More games to play means more players. But I don't want stars to come here just to shine in Europe. People who come will have to be part of our squad."
True grit
Nancy were down to ten men when they scored their winner against Nice. Such grit and spirit should serve them well in their quest for European glory.
