Saint-ÉtienneBy the mid-1970s France had been waiting patiently for a major sporting achievement for over 15 years. The last remarkable performance prior to that was the French team’s success in winning third place in the Soccer World Cup in Sweden in 1958.
The epic tale of Saint-Étienne’s team made up, in no small way, for this long wait; for two seasons, between 1974 and 1976, Saint-Étienne thrilled the country with its performance at the European Cup, the high point being the final at Glasgow, which was lost to Bayern Munich (1-0).
Although beaten, the members of the Saint-Étienne team were nonetheless paraded down the Champs Elysées and greeted with ovations. Since then, the French have further learnt how to applaud winners: Marseilles (the European Cup), Paris (the Cup of Cups) and the French team (1984 and 2000 European championships and the 1988 World Cup).
The main venue for Saint-Étienne’s exploits is none other than the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. In addition to being a renowned manufacturing centre of arms and bicycles, the city is also where the head office of the distribution firm Casino (directed by Mr Guichard) is located.
The latter’s colours (green and white) were adopted by the sports club created by Geoffroy Guichard, who gave his name to the stadium, which was inaugurated in 1931. Having been purchased by the city, the “Cauldron”, as it is known, underwent its first major refurbishment in 1968.
The Greens, who are still supported by a faithful following, have over the years built up a list of achievements that is among the most remarkable in French soccer, with 10 championship titles and six French Cups.
The European Nations championship in 1984 and the Soccer World Cup in 1998 prompted the completion of the stadium’s modernisation. It can now hold 36,000 people, a good many of whom still nostalgically recall the “epic tale” of the Greens and that accursed final...
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