The Stade Saint-Symphorien is one of the most seen stadiums of France, since its location right next to one of the busiest motorways of France. But where most of the people just speed by underway to sunnier parts of France, football fans really should stop by: 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 in a vital part of their career at FC Metz, club from the north-east of France, playing in a beautiful burgundy shirt. Also, Metz is a club with a turbulent history, because of several wars Les Grenats played even a couple of years in German leagues as well. Meet FC Metz, the vice-champion of 1998, who are after lots of promotions and relegations finally back as a stable club in Ligue 1.
The illustrious Stade Saint-Symphorien is wedged between motorway A31 and the Moselle river. Because of its open corners you can watch inside when driving by, but not for long anymore. 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 center, but who wants to grab a beer with the home fans before a match, can go best to Brasserie du Stade, close to the stadium. This bar (Rue du Stade 2) is the place where many Messins come together around matches. The terraced is packed with standing fans, but take a look inside as well, 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 located. FC Metz is internationally well-known for its academy, and this is the head quarter, which 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Recently the club crest of FC Metz has been replaced by a new one. Minimalistic, hypermodern, 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 the city is uncomprehensible. A shame, according to the fans, but they might find cold comfort in the fact that you can find Graoully still all over the city. In frontages, crests, in the cathedral, and mostly above the Rue Taison in the city center, 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 at Friday in Ligue 2. But also Luxembourg and Germany aren't far away. Within an hour drive you'll find FC Saarbrücken, a little further 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 you by easily from their official website, but for most matches you can buy them at the ticket windows at the stadium as well.
Take on exit 32 (Metz-Centre) at the A31, keep right and follow the signs to Stade St. Symphorien. From train station Metz Ville it's about a 15 minute walk.
Beeld: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
