Given its location along one of the busiest motorways in France, the Stade Saint-Symphorien is a stadium that has been seen by many. However, most people quickly drive past it to go to the sunnier south. But football fans should really consider getting off the highway. Metz has got a great atmosphere and a cool stadium.
What do Robert Pires, Franck Ribéry and Sadio Mané - besides being great wingers - in common? They all played at FC Metz during a vital part in their careers. The club from the northeast of France plays in beautiful burgundy shirts. But Metz is also a club with a turbulent history. Because of several wars, Les Grenats even played a couple of years in the German league. But let us introduce you to FC Metz, the vice-champion of 1998, a club that yo-yo's between the French leagues.
The illustrious Stade Saint-Symphorien is wedged between the Motorway A31 and the Moselle River. Given its open corners, you can still take a look inside when driving by, but not for long. The main stand has been replaced and the corners will be covered, after which the FC Metz can host 30.000 spectators at the Boulevard Saint-Symphorien. Even though it's usually not full, you still have a great atmosphere, with fanatic fans close to the pitch and steep stands.
Metz has got a lovely city centre, but if you want to grab a beer with home fans before a match you should go to Brasserie du Stade, which is close to the stadium. This bar (Rue du Stade 2) is the place where many Messins come together around matches. The outside is already packed with fans, but do not be afraid to take a look inside at the historical pictures and shirts of FC Metz on the wall.
Directly across the Moselle, behind Tribune Est is the 'centre de formation', the youth academy. FC Metz is internationally well-known for its academy, and this is its headquarters. It looks a bit like a mini version of the Pentagon. In the institution at the Allée Saint-Symphorien, a young Robert Pires and Emmanuel Adebayor dreamt of a career across the water.
Recently, the club's crest has been replaced by a new one. Minimalistic, super modern, but actually just a poor excuse for what it had been for years. Especially the removal of Graoully, a mystic dragon from historical stories and the symbol of the city is incomprehensible. A shame, according to the fans, but they might find some comfort still in the fact that you can find Graoully all over the city. In facades, crests, in the cathedral, and particularly on Rue Taison in the city centre, where he floats high above the shopping public.
The location of Metz makes it very suitable to combine with another match in the region. FC Metz usually plays at home on Saturday nights. An hour down south, arch rivals AS Nancy play their home games on Friday in Ligue 2. But also Luxembourg and Germany aren't far away. Within an hour's drive, you'll find FC Saarbrücken, and a little further you will find the great old stadium of Borussia Neunkirchen and the Betzenberg of 1. FC Kaiserslautern, a World Cup stadium in 2006.
Tickets for FC Metz can easily be bought on their official website, but for most matches, you can buy them at the ticket windows in the stadium as well.
Take on exit 32 (Metz-Centre) at the A31, keep right and follow the signs to Stade St. Symphorien. From the train station Metz Ville, it's about a 15-minute walk.
Images: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
