2023-05-09 13:05:02
Wednesday May 8, 1996 will forever be engraved in the memory of Bernard Lama and the history of Paris Saint-Germain. PSG won 1-0 against Rapid Vienna in the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup. This is the Guyanese’s first European title and the only continental distinction of the highly publicized French club.
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MEMOSPORT BERNARD LAMA
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27 years ago, on May 8, 1996 around 11:30 p.m., Bernard Lama, the captain of Paris Saint-Germain, received the European Cup Winners’ Cup trophy from the hands of Lennart Johansson, the president of the UEFA. Carried in triumph on the shoulders of his coach Luis Fernandez, the Guyanese proudly lifts the C2 cup. On the podium, his teammates and Yannick Noah exult. The 15,000 Parisian supporters are jubilant. Fair play, the 15,000 Austrian fans chant the name of Paris. One after another, the players hold up the trophy.
The “Cat”, as everyone calls him for his agility, begins a lap of honor at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, pursued by the whole team. After a crazy race of about fifty meters, he passes the cup to one of his teammates.
By beating Parma, one of the favorites in the competition, and La Coruña, Paris Saint-Germain opened the doors to the final. Paris is the favorite despite a disappointing championship. The president of the club, Michel Denisot, is keen to instil a conquering state of mind in his players. He entrusts this mission to the victorious captain of the Davis Cup of tennis 91, Yannick Noah.
The match at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels is sold out. Among the 37,500 spectators, the family of Bernard Lama made the trip to Remire-Montjoly, in Guyana. Twelve minutes after kick-off, a hard blow for the Parisians, the Brazilian Raï, the team’s master, left the field with an ankle injury. Paris stays the course and dominates.
At the half hour mark, indirect free kick. From the bench, Luis Fernandez forces Bruno N’Gotty to pull him in force. With a small pass, Djorkaeff shifts N’Gotty. From 35 meters, the defender’s powerful shot, slightly deflected by Schôttel, deceives goalkeeper Konsel. 1-0 for PSG. Paris will fight hard to preserve its small advantage. This will be the only goal of the game.
Fernandez’s men miss many chances. Bernard Lama, the best goalkeeper in the 94 championship, made two decisive saves. An interception at the feet of Janker and a superb parry of fingertips on a shot from Ivanov, allow to maintain the score and ensure the victory.
In the Brussels night, Paris Saint-Germain opens its record at continental level. Paris becomes the second French club to hold a European Cup. The next day, the heroes parade on the Champs-Elysées in front of 50,000 supporters. They are received at the Paris City Hall, then at the Elysée by the President of the Republic. Captain Bernard Lama offers his jersey and gloves to President Chirac. Last stop, the Parc des Princes where tens of thousands of fans drunk with joy welcome the champions with the cup.
Elected Golden Guardian in 2000 by the specialist magazine France Football, Bernard Lama’s career is far from being a long calm river. Cayenne’s beaches were his favorite football grounds during childhood and adolescence.
During a match with the regional junior selection, he was spotted by Charly Samoy, a manager of Lille OSC. His agility, his relaxation, his aerial outings, his kicking game seduce. His father, surgeon and mayor of Rémire-Montjoly for 35 years, dreams for his son of a university course. In 1981, a few months after his majority, his baccalaureate in his pocket, the Guyanese arrived at the Lille training center. First loaned to two second division clubs, Abbeville and Besançon, he signed his professional contract with Lille and became the number one goalkeeper for three seasons.
The “Cat” sometimes plays with his bare hands. He successively wore the jerseys of Metz, Brest and Lens, before signing for PSG in 1992. At 29, he settled down and settled in Paris for six years. He knows his first selections in the France team, from his debut in the Parisian club. He was crowned French champion and best goalkeeper the following year. Winner of the Coupe des Coupes, he had an excellent Euro 96 but France stopped in the semi-finals. He is the object of desire of Grand FC Barcelona but he decides to remain faithful to PSG.
1997 remains the darkest season of his career. He seriously injured his knee. He loses his place as number one with the Blues. Fabien Barthez becomes the holder. He tested positive for cannabis. He takes the direction of West Ham, England. A few months later, he returned to Paris. Substitute during the 98 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, the Guyanese added these two titles to his list. After a season at Stade Rennais, Bernard Lama hangs up his gloves and crampons.
Bernard Lama, the general manager of the Guyanese club USL Montjoly and ex-vice president of the Regional League, looks back on this continental feat achieved on May 8, 1996.
MEMOSPORT INTERVIEW BERNARD LAMA
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