Brest take first steps into European football against all the odds | Luke Entwistle
Preparations for Champions League bow was marred with player departures and stadium issues but draw offers hope
By Luke Entwistle for Get French Football News
Seventy-four years into their existence, having been founded in 1950, the chance for Stade Brestois to finally make their European debut has been long-awaited. Not only will Wednesday’s match mark the Champions League debut but the clash with Sturm Graz is Les Ti’Zefs’ maiden match in European football.
Only promoted back from France’s second division in 2019, Brest have operated on the fringes of Ligue 1 since then, with a mid-table finish (11th in 2021-22) their best placement before last season. However, under the incredible (and unlikely, given his record) stewardship of Éric Roy, the team finished third in the final standings, edging out Lille, Nice and Lyon, and also playing cohesive, modern attacking football.
