With the year 2012 rapidly coming to an end, it is only fair to talk about some of the greatest moments that happened in Ligue 1 including of course, the coronation of an unlikely king
The year 2012 was a very different one for all Ligue 1 sides. From the title winning end to the season for Montpellier Herault to the heart breaking relegation of AJ Auxerre, the year was full of some great story lines and games that not many people would
be forgetting so soon.
La Paillade sont Champions!
In what was to be a title that Paris Saint-Germain were so keen on lifting, turned out to be the cash-laden club’s loss and another team’s gain as Montpellier Herault, against all odds, defied the normal rules of a second half of the campaign assault and
went on to become champions of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 for the first time in their history.
A team composed of the likes of Younes Belhanda, Olivier Giroud, John Utaka, Vitorino http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Pastore-c18082), was more than the whole squad’s entire wage bill.
Not many people expected La Paillade, who barely survived relegation a few years back, to mount such a strong title assault in a season that saw traditional giants, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 miss out on Champions League football for the
first time in many years.
A promise is a promise
Just a few weeks before the end of the 2012/2013 campaign, Montpellier president, Louis Nicollin had promised to colour his hair orange and blue if the team wins the Championelle. True to his words, the ever-charming fellow had a Mohawk that covered the
club’s colours.
Later on, Nicollin had promised that he would shave all of his body hair if his team were to win the Champions League. However, it appears that Nicollin would rather not go for a...complete shave after his side was dumped out during the group stages.
From wilderness to amazing heights
Upon his arrival at Stade de la Mosson, Nigerian international, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Utaka-c18898 came with the mark of a failure. The winger had failed miserably during his spell with English Premier League side Portsmouth. Many people were sceptic about the credentials of the
former Stade Rennais fans. However, Utaka turned out to be Rene Girard’s super sub throughout the campaign and had the final say on his side’s Championelle triumph as he scored a brace on the last day of the season against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AJ-Auxerre-c38247 to make sure that a glorious
and historical season for his team ended with a win.
Back among the big boys
The end of the 2011/2012 Ligue 2 campaign saw the promotion of Stade de Reims. The region that’s famous for producing the best champagne in the region has one of the most successful clubs in France as well. However, for at least three decades, Stade de Reims’
fans hoped for their beloved side return to top flight football and even had to endure the agony of seeing their club almost fade into oblivion. However, back to back promotions and improvement on a consistent basis has seen the club return to French football’s
elite where they are in with a chance of becoming a stable Championnat side.
Beating seven shades out of cancer
Young Gaet Courtet has had a real tough life for a guy who has just started his footballing career. Back in 2010, when he was just a hot prospect, the Lorient born striker was diagnosed with cancer. Being diagnosed with such a serious disease meant that
the youngster was forced to say adieu to football as he underwent treatment.
After undergoing intense treatment that took its toll on him, the youngster finally managed to overcome cancer and since then, has miraculously returned to his usual best. Although far from the finished product owing to his medical condition, the Courtet
has been in the thick of things for Stade de Reims this season with four goals in nine Ligue 1 games.
As a sheer testament of mankind’s willingness to defy all odds, Courtet is the right player every kid should idolize.
In the 3-1 win over Montpellier Herault, the 23-year-old scored in the 86th minute to take the game away from the visitors. However, it was Courtet’s celebration that summed up everything the striker has been through and thus, gave his career
a moment he would never forget.
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