By After securing their Champions League group stage spot for the 2024-2025 season last night against Toulouse FC (0-3), Stade Brestois have today returned to Brittany, where the town’s celebrations have continued today. Under radiant sunlight Les Pirates returned to Brest and the city’s town hall greeted by hundreds of supporters. Following Lille and Nice’s 2-2 draw, the Breton side unexpectedly qualified for the Champions League group stage last night.
Pierre Lees-Melou, one of the architects of this exceptional season, recalled the humility that characterised the team throughout, speaking to RMC Sport: “We were ambitious throughout the season, but not that ambitious. We didn’t steal it. We have Nice to thank for helping us at the end of the season. It’s still a great achievement after a very tiring and testing year. We can’t describe it because nobody could have imagined it. Especially that crazy finish, Hugo’s fourth goal (Magnetti, unmarked), Nice’s equaliser afterwards.”
“We all had trouble sleeping,” says Mahdi Camara. “We just kept thinking about this incredible match.” The midfielder, who arrived in Brittany in the summer of 2022 to get his career back on track after Saint-Etienne, never imagined he would reach such heights with the Breton side, who were more focused on maintaining their top-flight status. “I never thought it would happen like this,” he smiles. “The club has ambitions, but I don’t think these are them. This is the real European Cup, something I’d never have imagined.”
GFFN | George Boxall
