In the locker room at Stade Brestois, the deafening ambient noise prevents Billal Brahimi from properly hearing his friend on the other end of the phone. So, the striker loaned by Nice to Brest this season takes it easy, in shorts and flip flops, and falls into the mixed zone of the Toulouse Stadium. Brahimi, who has hardly played this year, is euphoric, in video with Hicham Boudaoui, midfielder of the Aiglons. Nice has just miraculously snatched a draw from Lille in the 93rd to validate direct qualification for the Champions League at Stade Brestois. The scene is surreal. Brahimi thanks Boudaoui, who responds with a thumbs up. “Live with Boudaoui! We thank the whole Nice team, they did the job, they are happy for us. It’s extraordinary ! »
Magnetti: “We are entering the legend! »
Barely a minute and Brahimi disappears behind the neighboring door, going back to celebrate “this crazy thing” where the cups of beer are brought on trays and the dance steps are repeated. Inside this holy place, the Champions League anthem is played. Loud, the volume at its maximum. In a video shared by the Finistère club on its social networks, we see the Brest players hugging and singing at the top of their lungs this catchy tune, known to all. The little music that some people dare to play at their wedding, the Holy Grail for any footballer. Brest will have to wait until September for it to truly shine under new spotlights for the first time in the club’s history, after 74 years of existence. The crest of the famous black and white ball, symbol of the most beautiful competition, will soon be sewn on the red jersey, at shoulder height. The dream has come true. Mad.
“I don’t think we realize it yet.” With his cap screwed on his head, Hugo Magnetti has almost no voice left and at that moment, he is “the happiest in the world.” I grew up with this club. I think of the supporters, they deserve it so much! We are only passing through, they will still be here in 30 years. We are entering the legend! » The Marseillais also wants to “apologize for the fright caused at the very end of the match, I think my brain was no longer irrigated”. In question, a last action in stoppage time and a caviar from Romain Del Castillo that Magnetti “munched” against Guillaume Restes. Brest could have led 4-0. Anecdotal? Not really.
The rollercoaster of the end of the match
Warmly and sportingly applauded by the Toulouse supporters at the final whistle, Lilian Brassier and her teammates quickly jumped on the staff’s cell phones to watch the end of the Lille – Nice match. “We didn’t want to have any regrets,” explains Steve Mounié. When Romain Del Castillo comes on (in the 82nd minute, editor’s note), we know that Lille is leading 2-1 and he tells us that we have to score two more goals for it to happen. So we go for it. And then, we are blessed by the gods…” The destiny of Brest depends on the result of the match at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium. In the North, it still plays a role. A little further away, coach Éric Roy and sports director Grégory Lorenzi give each other a sincere hug. At 2-2 in Lille, Brest is directly qualified for the Champions League.
“We thought Nice had scored a third (goal)”
Then a sudden vibration comes from the Brest parking lot, where 1,400 supporters have gathered. A cry from the heart triggering collective euphoria. Nice scored a third goal in Lille. The deliverance before the heatwave and the information that Daouda Traoré’s achievement is canceled for offside. The Mastiffs still have five final minutes in front of them to once again turn around an extraordinary evening and win in front of their home crowd. “There was a little misunderstanding, we thought it was over in Lille, and no. We thought Nice had scored a third, and no, says Brendan Chardonnet. So many emotions! The wait was long but for something great at the end.” Because despite twelve minutes of stoppage in play, Lille stumbled and did no better than a draw. Brest is exulting in earnest, celebrated with great fanfare by unbearable fans who had already set the mood late in the afternoon in the pink city by joining Saint-Pierre Square at the Stadium in a remarkable procession.
Lachuer: “Are your passports ready?” »
Author of a first liberating goal, Mahdi Camara sums up everyone’s thoughts, smiling from ear to ear: “Given our season, the scenario could only be this. That’s wonderful. For us, the staff, the club, the supporters, the whole city. We are really proud of what we have achieved.” 900 kilometers away, further north and further west, the city of Brest is already ablaze and singing its idols, who are due to land at 2:30 a.m. at Guipavas airport. But at the Stadium, no one is really moving to leave the premises even if Denis Le Saint and Grégory Lorenzi, president and sports director of Stade Brestois, are more discreet. They will not comment on the possible departure from Corsica this Sunday evening.
Julien Lachuer, at the club since 2005, the oldest of the veterans, asks each person he meets if their passport is up to date for the upcoming European adventure.
“It defies all predictions”
“It’s a lot of happiness, we are all united,” says Éric Roy’s deputy. It’s crazy work and we realize it. 18 months ago, we were not far from relegation and going to the Champions League is historic for French football.” Marco Bizot pats him on the back. “Kenavo to all,” laughs the Dutch goalkeeper from Stade Brestois, author of a remarkable season. “If a screenwriter writes that, we call him crazy,” exclaims Éric Roy, who has just delivered his last press conference of the season in Toulouse. I have a lot of feelings and love for my players. I often say that football is like love, it has its reasons that reason ignores. And this season, it’s a little bit like that. It defies all scenarios, all predictions. We did it, congratulations. It’s pretty incredible.”
Lala’s tribute to Amavi
It is 12:30 a.m. at the Stadium and the bus must now head to Blagnac airport without further delay. The last player to stop in front of the media is Jordan Amavi, the great story of the evening. An irrational end to the season for the left-back, like what his team has experienced in recent months. Starting for the first time in Toulouse, he scored a nice free kick at the start of the second half. “It’s a good group of friends, they worked hard even if it was more complicated for me due to injuries and lack of playing time”, reveals the person concerned, cut off by Kenny Lala, insisting on pay tribute to him: “He always said he was going to come back for the last match and score,” booms the right-back. Jo, he is a top-class professional, he never complained. He always wanted to win, he always believed in himself. Great player Jordan Amavi! » The bus driver honks his horn one last time. He can’t wait any longer, he has to leave. A few moments later, the information came: the fault of unpredictable weather, the people of Brest would only leave Toulouse on Monday morning to reach the city of Ponant. There where they are welcomed as heroes in the morning, Place de la Liberté, by furious supporters. A season of crazy people for one last unforgettable evening. A Monday that is already a public holiday but which will be more so in Brest from this day on. Legendary!
