Derby de la Garonne
Encyclopedia
The Derby de la Garonne (døbi də la ɡaʁɔn, Garonne Derby) is a football match contested between French
clubs FC Girondins de Bordeaux
and Toulouse FC
. The name of the derby derives from the fact that Bordeaux and Toulouse are the two major clubs that play in cities that situate themselves along the Garonne River
. The consistency and competitiveness of the rivalry developed following Toulouse's return to Ligue 1
after being administratively relegated to the Championnat National
in 2001.
Bordeaux and the current incarnation of Toulouse first met on 20 October 1946 and, due to the each club's close proximity towards each other being separated by only 244 kilometres (151.6 mi), a competitive rivalry developed. Notable matches the team contested include a 3–1 victory for Toulouse on the final day of the 2006–07 season. The victory placed Toulouse in third place, which gave the club a qualification spot in the following year's UEFA Champions League
. The following season, Bordeaux recorded a 4–3 victory over Toulouse at home. Bordeaux initially took a 3–0 lead into halftime courtesy of two goals from Wendel and one from Alou Diarra
. However, in a span of 14 minutes in the second half, striker
Johan Elmander
of Toulouse converted a hat trick
to even the match at 3–3. Four minutes from time, Wendel netted not only his hat trick goal, but the game-winning goal. The match also was notable due in part to referee Bertrand Layec
issuing nine yellow cards.
The Derby de la Garonne can also refer to matches involving local clubs within the city of Toulouse
. Local amateur clubs such as Blagnac FC
, Toulouse Rodéo
, Balma SC
, and Toulouse Fontaines
contest similar Derby de la Garonne matches.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
clubs FC Girondins de Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
and Toulouse FC
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
. The name of the derby derives from the fact that Bordeaux and Toulouse are the two major clubs that play in cities that situate themselves along the Garonne River
Garonne
The Garonne is a river in southwest France and northern Spain, with a length of .-Source:The Garonne's headwaters are to be found in the Aran Valley in the Pyrenees, though three different locations have been proposed as the true source: the Uelh deth Garona at Plan de Beret , the Ratera-Saboredo...
. The consistency and competitiveness of the rivalry developed following Toulouse's return to Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
after being administratively relegated to the Championnat National
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
in 2001.
Bordeaux and the current incarnation of Toulouse first met on 20 October 1946 and, due to the each club's close proximity towards each other being separated by only 244 kilometres (151.6 mi), a competitive rivalry developed. Notable matches the team contested include a 3–1 victory for Toulouse on the final day of the 2006–07 season. The victory placed Toulouse in third place, which gave the club a qualification spot in the following year's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. The following season, Bordeaux recorded a 4–3 victory over Toulouse at home. Bordeaux initially took a 3–0 lead into halftime courtesy of two goals from Wendel and one from Alou Diarra
Alou Diarra
Alou Diarra is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a defensive midfielder, but can also deputized as a centre back if necessary...
. However, in a span of 14 minutes in the second half, striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
Johan Elmander
Johan Elmander
Johan Erik Calvin Elmander is a Swedish footballer who plays as a striker for Galatasaray and the Sweden national football team. He joined in a free transfer after his contract with English club Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League expired...
of Toulouse converted a hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
to even the match at 3–3. Four minutes from time, Wendel netted not only his hat trick goal, but the game-winning goal. The match also was notable due in part to referee Bertrand Layec
Bertrand Layec
Bertrand Layec is a former French football referee. He was registered as a Fédéral 1 referee in France meaning he is eligible to officiate Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches, as well as matches in the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue. Layec refereed his first match in Ligue 1 in 1998 and, in 2002,...
issuing nine yellow cards.
The Derby de la Garonne can also refer to matches involving local clubs within the city of Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
. Local amateur clubs such as Blagnac FC
Blagnac FC
Blagnac Football Club is a French association football club founded in 1963. They are based in Blagnac, Toulouse and are currently playing in the Championnat de France Amateurs 2 Group F, the fifth tier in the French football league system...
, Toulouse Rodéo
Toulouse Rodéo FC
Rodéo Football Club is a football club based in Toulouse, France. Though the club's proper name is Rodéo Football Club, the club is often referred to as Toulouse Rodéo Football Club to show the club's location...
, Balma SC
Balma SC
Balma Sporting Club is a French association football team founded in 1947. They are based in Balma, near Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, France and are currently playing in the Championnat de France amateur Group C...
, and Toulouse Fontaines
Toulouse Fontaines Club
Toulouse Fontaines Club is a football club based in Toulouse, France. Their stadium is in the rue des Fontaines, in the Saint-Cyprien suburb of Toulouse.-History:...
contest similar Derby de la Garonne matches.