France Bleu Azur: 25 years later, what is the strong image that remains in your mind from this final?
Oliver Fugen: When Vermeulen hits the last penalty and we win I run straight to the kop and throw it all away! I find myself in my underpants and I get belted by the stewards of the Parc des Princes who want to get me out of the field. They didn’t recognize me. Fortunately one of our physiotherapists explains the situation to them and gives me shorts and a jacket to be able to stay on the field and then receive the trophy from the hands of Jacques Chirac.
So the shirt you wore during this final you don’t know what happened to it?
In fact we had two that evening and I gave both but I often see a supporter at the Allianz Riviera who is wearing the jersey I had on during this final. Afterwards, it’s a bit of a regret, yes, not to have kept one.
If I hadn’t gone out I was the fifth shooter during the session
What do you remember about this final? You go out just before extra time and you therefore follow the penalty shoot-out as a spectator…
What we must remember is that Jean-Philippe Mattio is injured and it is therefore I who must replace him in this final. But I have a tear in my thigh and I’m uncertain until the last moment. Finally I play with a huge bandage around the thigh and it holds. But before the extension, coach Takac wants to make a change and leave Onorati. Except that it’s the last change and I tell myself that if it blows up in overtime we’ll end up at ten so I ask the coach to get me out. But if I had stayed until the end, I was the fifth shooter in the penalty shootout.
You could have been the hero of this final!
Yes, I think back to that last shot on goal from Vermeulen from time to time. I tell myself that I could have been in his place. But I think I would have shaken a lot!
The big party in Nice the next day, it remains etched in the memory too?
Yes of course ! Even if it was a little spoiled by the rain. But it was great to see the people of Nice gathered for us! I also remember the evening after the victory. Grand! A big party with all the partners, our wives, the mayor at the time also Mr. Peyrat… the next day we were invited to Téléfoot and we had a little trouble taking our eyes off!
Do we talk to you about this final every day in Nice?
25 after I have changed a little but those who recognize me yes! It was a victory that marked the city. However, we were French D2 champions in 1994, but the fans kept this Cup in mind above all. And 25 years later, we feel this enthusiasm again. 20,000 Nice people at the Stade de France is great!
We were 20 warriors!
What is the secret of a successful final? At the time you were not favorite against these Guingampais supported by all of France football…
It’s true and it was better for us. We were in our bubble. We had missed our season in the league and we knew we were going to go down to D2. So we promised to make up for it with this Cup. And seeing everyone behind Guingamp motivated us even more! We were warriors. 20 warriors with the staff. With only one objective in mind: to bring this Cup back to Nice! And we didn’t give up.
Is a final won first with the head?
Yes, you have to be able to put yourself in a bubble and not be under pressure. Then on the ground, I repeat, you have to be a warrior. Me when I see images of the match, I do not recognize myself. I have a look that I did not know myself!
Your determination can be seen in particular on the goal!
Yes I often think back to this head that I place and which allows us to score. At the start, I’m sure it’s me who scores. And the commentators Larqué and Rolland attribute the goal to me! I see myself running everywhere, I was like crazy! Well finally it’s Salimi who diverts it. So much the better ! I was able to run like crazy again after Vermeulen’s last shot on goal.
Do you often talk about this final with your ex-partners?
Yes we had a great group at the time and we knew we were going to separate since we are going down to D2. I remember the game after. We had trained very little and we managed to beat Metz 3-0 when they were playing a qualification in Europe! We were a group of friends and I see a lot of them today. In particular Fred Gioria who is still at the club.
Precisely Fred is ready to see a new captain take the torch from him?
Yes now is the time! We want to see Dante’s photo with the trophy next to Fred’s, that would be great!