Stade Brest secured Champions League football on Wednesday evening. Competitor OGC Nice lost to league leader Paris Saint-Germain, ensuring Marco Bizot and his teammates a spot in the preliminary round of the prestigious competition.
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After finishing fourteenth, seventeenth, eleventh, and fourteenth again in the past seasons, Stade Brest is now experiencing a dream year. They are currently in fourth place with the same number of points as third-place Lille.
If Brest moves up one spot in the final round, they will even be guaranteed a place in the competition phase (formerly the group stage) of the Champions League. Lille still has to play against fifth-place Nice on Sunday.
"It is exceptional that we have achieved at least fourth place with Brest," trainer Eric Roy exclaimed in an interview with L'Équipe. "It feels surreal to talk about the Champions League. I haven't thought about potential opponents yet. But we did it. Although we are only in the preliminary rounds and need to survive two of them."
And did Roy celebrate the preliminary round ticket? "No, I spent the evening with friends, around a seafood dish. We had the match on in the background." For Bizot, it is also one of the greatest achievements of his career. The Dutchman kept a clean sheet in 39 percent of his Ligue 1 appearances this season.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Stade Brest, a club that has historically struggled to make a mark in the upper echelons of French football. The team's remarkable performance this season is a testament to their hard work and dedication, as well as the strategic leadership of Eric Roy. The club's supporters are ecstatic, celebrating this unprecedented success which puts Brest on the European football map.
For Marco Bizot, the team's goalkeeper, this season's success is particularly sweet. Bizot's consistent performance has been crucial to Brest's strong defensive record, with his ability to keep clean sheets playing a significant role in their climb up the table. His leadership on the field has been invaluable, inspiring confidence in his teammates and contributing to the overall stability of the squad.
The prospect of playing in the Champions League, even starting from the preliminary rounds, brings a new level of excitement and challenge for the team. It offers Brest a chance to compete on a bigger stage, attracting more fans and potential investments, which could further strengthen the club's position in both domestic and international football.
Looking ahead, the final matchday will be crucial. Brest's fate could still change, depending on the outcome of Lille's game against Nice. If Brest can secure a higher position, it will enhance their chances in the Champions League, avoiding potentially tougher opponents in the preliminary rounds. The anticipation and hope among Brest's players and supporters are palpable as they prepare for this decisive moment.
