If the people of Barcelona don't know much about Brest, they will remember at least four words from the Breton passage, sung at the top of their lungs since Sunday: “Stade Brestois, European Cup!” “. The largest Brest trip in history in terms of its number, almost 4,000, the most prestigious for sure, the most moving also symbolizes the love of a supporter for his club. Because in the Catalan capital, it was not about results, style of play or even tactical plan but rather about passion. For Brest, facing FC Barcelona is a dream come true. For his supporters too.
“We don’t care about the result, we came there to sing, to vibrate, to celebrate,” explains Arthur, who came straight from Lyon. Brest is experiencing an exceptional moment, undoubtedly unique and there were thousands who did not want to miss yet another moment which will once again mark the history of Stade Brestois.
“Barcelona – Brest it’s on the console…”
“It’s historic, we won’t see it again in our lifetime, I think. Prague, Salzburg, it was complicated but Barcelona was easier for me to go there, explains Nicolas, who has lived in Toulon for around twenty years. I pissed off my wife… We want to enjoy it, it's the Champions League, to have those thrills. We wanted to see it in real life. I have been living in Brest since the 2000s, since Ribéry, he lived in my street (laughs). How many matches have I been able to see in the old Strasbourg stand… My friends were annoying me when I was a kid, Brest, it's a blast, they were all for Barcelona. Barcelona – Brest, Real Madrid – Barcelona, it's only on Fifa and on the console normally. I followed last season from afar, it’s fabulous what they’re doing. »
A trail of memories
You couldn't go more than a hundred meters in Gaudi's city without coming across a Ty-Zef, proud to wear his colors. Some didn't even have a place for the match but only wanted to participate in this communion, this euphoria, this intoxication which will remain engraved in the hearts of Brest. They came from everywhere, all generations were represented. “We follow the French team, and since we live in Morlaix, we also follow Stade Brestois from now on,” explains Francine, 83, accompanied by her daughter Carole, 58 years old. We have been spoiled for two years, we saw Leverkusen at Roudourou the last match. This is our first trip to Brest in the Champions League. We always make friends, we arrived Tuesday morning by plane. We are here for the atmosphere.”
Before reaching the heights of Montjuïc for the summit meeting, Breton supporters met at Place d'Espagne to gather. And despite a match classified as high risk with a disproportionate presence of Spanish CRS, the atmosphere of the procession was magnificent and took place peacefully, it should be noted. The ultras having masterfully directed everything.
One thing is certain, this Tuesday evening, at the mouths of the Besòs and Llobregat rivers, a red tide swept in, leaving behind a trail of unforgettable memories.
