You had to see the 14,500 Brest supporters at the Roudourou stadium stand up in unison to celebrate a winning tackle from one of their players, push behind their team as rarely, respond from stand to stand during the chants launched by the ultras . On the evening of Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in Guingamp (22), Éric Roy's men achieved a major feat by beating PSV Eindhoven, champion of the Netherlands and regular in European games. Around the lawn, the public also rose to the occasion. An explosive cocktail and certainly memorable for all those who were there or who followed it behind their television.
To be erected in the pantheon of their supporters’ memories? Certainly for Éric, a 43-year-old Guilérien. “I think it’s the most beautiful sporting moment I’ve ever experienced live. It’s almost on the level of France’s Euro 2000 final, with the golden goal, except that it’s my club,” says the man who has been attending the Francis-Le Blé stadium since “the Cabanas era which puts a return against Marseille”.
Against PSV Eindhoven, “the ultimate thrill”
Xavier Lavanant, president of the Hermine 29 supporters group, does not take much away from this analysis: “The match is huge: we are saved by the posts, we stress the whole second half… But we have two teams playing, without downtime, with total commitment. If we add to that the fact that we officially qualify for the play-offs, at least, of the Champions League, this evening has the shape of a dream come true. And if we mix everything up… Yes, in 25 years of matches at the Stadium, this is so far the most beautiful evening I have experienced! “.
Tuesday evening, Quimperois Dimitri attended his first Brest meeting in the Champions League. “The atmosphere was crazy. Every tackle, every interception was cheered as a goal! It's probably the effect of being the little guy playing against the big guy, of playing an intrinsically much superior team, but seeing 15 guys stripping themselves on the pitch: the whole stadium roared.” “This match is the greatest sporting moment I have experienced. For me, it was the ultimate thrill,” he even assures.
Hard to choose!
There are also those, more cautious or pragmatic, who qualify the point. Without taking anything away from the feat achieved Tuesday evening. “If we talk about the biggest matches in the club's history… Outside, we all know what match it is! », Slips François, 43, alluding to a certain Rennes-Brest from which the Ti-Zefs emerged victorious 5-4 at the end of a scenario worthy of Hollywood. But in Guingamp, the Brestois were almost 15,000. And it was the Champions League. “It’s true that the match against Eindhoven, in terms of intensity, was very strong. Especially since not many people believed it before kick-off, with all our injuries.”
And then there are those who don't want to decide. René, 70, remembers the big matches at Brest Armorique. “It’s impossible to choose. It’s not the same, not the same emotions.” “This victory against Eindhoven is one of those at the top,” continues Mathéo, 19, who mentions a derby against Lorient won 4-0, the match of the climb against Niort in 2019 or… the first match in history of Brest in the Champions League against Sturm Graz. One thing is certain, at the top or not, ultimately it doesn't matter: this success against Eindhoven will certainly remain in the memories of all Brest supporters.
France
