Brest – PSV Eindhoven: in Guingamp, the Bresto-Guingamp rivalry buried, well almost… [Vidéo]

European evening in Guingamp and a city cut into three, this Tuesday, December 10, 2024. In a pub, first of all, Dutch people, busy on fields of liquid hops, who would no doubt care less about the rivalry between Zefs and Guingampais.

At the “Red Rabbit”, second location, the stronghold of the Zefs established near Roudourou. And finally in town, the Guingampais. At their house. On European evenings, we don't mix. “You won’t find a Guingamp supporter here,” smiles David, bartender at the famous “Lapin Rouge”. Guingampais himself, “because I remind you that here, we are in Guingamp”, he welcomes the people of Brest with a big smile.

This eternal war, at the time of the Yvinec-Le Graët jousts, is over for him. “I hope it’s over, yes. The wars of yesteryear are going well now.” This will be the only local testimony. “Guingamp supporters? » he is surprised, “ah no, not this evening”. There are limits to everything, even in times of peace.

I hope it's over, yes. The wars of yesteryear are going well now.

“More a derby than a war”

All that remains is to survey the Brest horde who are leaning at the counter of the huge bistro, on the other side of David. The answers are also Brestoises, with that little bit of irony. Stéphane, self-proclaimed “Rennais” but dressed as Zef from head to toe, is solemn. “The church wars are over. Now, everyone is for Stade Brestois.” Okay but still. What does a Rennais know about this rivalry based on the ancient legend of Brest Armorique? Claude knows. He knew her. Arriving with family, with wife and teenager, he calms down to begin with. “The Brest results help with this general enthusiasm,” he eludes a little before considering “that the war is over. Now it would be more of a derby if they played at the same level.” A derby, that's it. Anthony does not say more, “in the Coupe de France. Because before they go back up…”. Some peace treaties have been torn up for less than that.

Nostalgia and penknife

At the back of the bar, cleverly renamed “The Red and White Rabbit” by the customers of one evening, Patrick and Marie-Jo have a logical exit from this conflict which lasted three decades. “A what? No. We have always been friends, especially since today we have no choice. Ultimately, we're not bad here, we feel like home. Last time, Patrick forgot his cap and it wasn't riddled with bullets, so it's okay,” analyzes Marie-Jo. In any case, objects Enzo, from the younger generation and son of Claude, now “the ones we don't like are Lorient”. An opinion taken up in general. Really ? Yeah. The famous Claude evokes “a nostalgia” for old duels, when his son adds, in the father’s name, “that when they have a little boner on the weekend, it’s always a pleasure”. Hopala unhappy. A prank, in complete peace? David, the stage room is getting a little crowded. “Tomorrow morning, when the Guingamp supporters come for coffee, there is no question of a Brest scarf lying around in the bar. Last time, no one talked about the match, but I was asked to take it off.” We have had more significant ceasefires.