There will be at least 3,000 in the stands of the Montjuic Olympic stadium to encourage their team against FC Barcelona this evening. Stade Brestois supporters mobilized like never before to fully experience the most prestigious match in the history of their club. Since yesterday, the atmosphere is already hot in Catalonia.
A meeting point designated by Brest supporters, the pretty Reial Square with its fountain and palm trees, a stone's throw from the Ramblas, has been adorned with red and white colors since yesterday, Monday. Place “Real”, which Brest will host at the end of January in this Champions League, some Brest residents even rename it. A fun wink at the time of facing Barcelona's great rival, laughs Jean-Luc, scarf from tonight's match already around his neck. “It reminds me of the draw. When we drew Barça then Real Madrid, we pinched ourselves to see if it was true. And finally, here we are,” he recalls, before be interrupted by chants: “We are the Ty Zefs, wild and proud of it. Our songs will resonate like the Thunder of Brest.”
The anthem of the Brest supporters resonated often, very often throughout the evening. The Brestois came from Finistère, of course, but also from Normandy, Paris, Pau. At Temple Bar, we even meet Vincent who is coming from… New York. “I had to travel to Prague but there were too many plane changes etc. There, New York-Barcelona, a direct flight and here I am,” he laughs. Without regretting his choice, a priori. They are barely in their twenties or well-rounded sixties. Between friends, colleagues, family of all generations combined, everyone mixes. Thomas, subscriber to Francis Le Blé and fan of the club since 1982, Brest Armorique era, enjoys: “Here, everyone knows each other. It's great. We party together and tomorrow (tonight) it will be a big sporting moment. We could never have imagined this.
“The legendary Brest match”
A little earlier in the day, the people of Brest had met at the Poble Espanyol museum located just at the bottom of Montjuic hill, a few minutes' walk from the Olympic stadium which they will discover this evening. A must to remove the tickets and watch the match. In the queue, Christian, club jacket on his back, says that he visited the Camp Nou with its museum this morning.
“It brings tears to the eyes to see so much history, so many great players who have passed through this club. Barça is historic!” Christian obviously hopes that Brest will produce a result. He said he was especially impressed by the 3,000 Bretons expected in the stands. “We were told it was better than Bayern when they came here! We're happy. We're from Brest. Go Stadium!”
A little further on, Olivier and his friends emerge relieved from Poble Espanyol and show the precious tickets. “The famous keys, here they are! We were impatiently waiting. It was hard to get the tickets. I have been a fervent supporter of Stade Brestois for years, since the Ribery era when we moved up to Ligue 2. From Suddenly, we're waiting for that. It's the legendary Brest match. There may never be one again, so we're going to support them.
If Brest supporters will be 2,400 parked with tickets which sold out in just a few minutes, the Barcelona madness was the same among the club's many partners. “It’s clear that we were in turmoil in the offices with all our local businesses supporting us. We were blocked at 300 because we had more seats on the planes. Not to mention, all those who are going to travel from their To compare, in Salzburg, it was around a hundred and the same in Prague” says Pascal Robert, the club's general director, not surprised but proud of this enthusiasm.
“Barcelona is Barcelona, it's not comparable, and our partners deserve it so much. I tell you this with a lot of emotion. They have been with us for so many years and support us in good times like the Champions League like when we are in Ligue 2 and in trouble They are still there. There is a big ray of sunshine, a big media exposure for them and we are so happy.
“A free kick from Amavi and I will be happy as a pope”
The Quequigner materials group is one of the loyal partners among the faithful. He was there when Brest Armorique was liquidated in 1991 and had to start from scratch. He will therefore be there, very present in the aisles of the Olympic stadium, with a plane with around a hundred seats chartered with the Sill group and Guyot Environnement, two other jersey sponsors.
“When we saw the team's progress in this European Cup, we said to ourselves that we couldn't miss it. And Barcelona, it's obvious,” says Mickael Le Gosles. “Barcelona is just huge. It's sure it's not Camp Nou, but it's Barcelona. To go there, to play this legendary team which has won this Champions League more than once, it is beyond measure. It’s the icing on the cake in what we’ve already been experiencing since the start of the season.”
Supporters, partners, all now dream of seeing their club shake up the great Barça. “We will have to raise our voices and we are not safe from success. I believe in it. They have proven that everything is feasible and achievable. With Brest, we are safe You’re welcome!”, exclaims Mickael Le Gosles. The final prediction goes to Christophe, this supporter seated on the terrace last night: “1-0 for Brest with a free kick from Amavi at the last second and I will be happy as a pope”. See you at the end of the match this evening.
Xavier Grimault, in Barcelona
