Bordeaux's farewell to the Stade Chaban-Delmas
Monday, May 11, 2015
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FC Girondins de Bordeaux played their final match at the Stade Chaban-Delmas on Saturday, with the Stade de Bordeaux – built for UEFA EURO 2016 – their new home.
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Saturday's Derby de l'Atlantique against FC Nantes marked the end of 77 years of history for FC Girondins de Bordeaux, with the club leaving their old Stade Chaban-Delmas home for the newly-built Stade de Bordeaux – one of the ten UEFA EURO 2016 venues.
More than 31,000 packed the 'Parc Lescure' for one last time for a joyous farewell, with 'Adieu Lescure' (farewell Lescure) the words on every supporter's lips. The team rose to the occasion, a Diego Rolán double steering Les Girondins to a 2-1 win, and leaving Willy Sagnol's charges sixth in Ligue 1 and in line for a UEFA Europa League qualifying berth with two games remaining. The last of those, on 23 May against Montpellier Hérault SC, will their first at their spectacular new home, the 42,000-seater Stade de Bordeaux, located north of the city.
Originally named Parc Lescure after the land on which it was built, the old stadium was renamed in 2001 in honour of Jacques Chaban-Delmas – the one-time mayor of Bordeaux who rose to be French prime minister. The venue witnessed plenty of great times; Bordeaux won six Ligue 1 titles during their time at the stadium, ousted AC Milan in the 1995/96 UEFA Cup semi-finals and reached European Champion Clubs' Cup last four in 1984/85. The return leg of that tie against Juventus was attended by a stadium-record crowd of 40,211.
Along with the stadium, Bordeaux also bade farewell to a notable one-club man – defender and captain Marc Planus, with the 33-year-old preparing to leave after 26 years and over 300 games. "I came here at the age seven to learn how to play football," said a tearful Planus after the final whistle. "I developed well, both as a player and a person. I am leaving a family behind me." A family that now has a new home.