Derby du Nord

Derby du Nord

Northern Derby
City or region	Lille / Lens, France
First contested	1937
Teams involved	Lille & Lens
Most wins	Lille (42)
Most recent meeting	Lille 1–0 Lens (29 January 2011)
Next meeting	TBD
Largest victory	Lille 5–0 Lens (11 February 1952)

The Derby du Nord (French pronunciation: [døbi du nɔʁ], Northern Derby) is a football match contested between French clubs RC Lens and Lille OSC, two of region's most successful clubs. The derby has the name despite Lille being the only club of the two situated in the department of Nord. Lens are situated in the southern department of Pas-de-Calais. The name can also refer to matches involving Lille and Valenciennes as both clubs are located within Nord, however, the match historically refers to matches involving Lille and Lens. As a result, the Lille–Valenciennes match is sometimes referred to as Le Petit Derby du Nord.

The two clubs first met in 1937 when Lille were playing under the Olympique Lillois emblem. Due to each club's close proximity towards each other being separated by only 40 kilometres (25 mi) and sociological differences between each club's supporters, a fierce rivalry developed. The Derby du Nord is underpinned by social and economic differences, since the city of Lens is known as an old, working-class, industrial city and Lille as a middle-class, modern, internationally-oriented one. Nowadays the matches, which can spark intense feelings on both sides, have gained prominence as they may determine berths in continental competitions.

Head to head record

Last updated: 29 January 2011

Competition	Played	Lille	Draw	Lens
French League	98	36	31	31
Coupe de France	9	6	1	2
Coupe de la Ligue	1	0	0	1
Trophée des champions	0	0	0	0
Totals	108	42	32	34

External links

• (French) Lille OSC Official Site
• (French) RC Lens Official Site