The Stade de la Meinau is no modern, top of the bill arena with a roof and extended business facilities, but more a raw block of concrete with a fierce atmosphere. Just how we like it. After a couple of years in the caves of French football RC Strasbourg is back in Ligue 1, and we couldn't be happier.
If World War I would have ended differently FC Neudorf (from the eponymous area in Strasbourg might have been a top side in the German Bundesliga now. The team did play in German competitions during days of war too, but after Alsace was added to France again in 1919, FC Neudorf became Racing Club de Strasbourg. Since then, they are definitive a French team and back in French league football, even though the area is still called Neudorf.
It's hard to imagine, but the Stade de la Meinau once hosted an actual European final, when KV Mechelen beat Ajax in the Europa Cup II Final of 1988. There hasn't been changed much since to the stadium, which we can hardly call a stunning piece of art. In some sense, the stadium fits perfectly in the city of Strasbourg, which isn't - except for the lovely city center - a real gem either. But, the browngrey concrete gives Stade de la Meinau something intimidating, especially on a dark night. Not in the last place because of the fanatics on the Tribune Ouest too, who remained loyal to the club after going into bankruptcy in 2011. Even when Le Racing played in the fifth tier, often a crowd of thousands came to the Rue de l'Extenwoerth to cheer their team back to Ligue 1.
In the club crest of RC Strasbourg, various elements come together, who each of their own are important for the city, region and the football club. Clearly visible are the red sash of the coat of arms of Strasbourg, the stork which symbolizes Alsace and of course the most recognizable building of the city, the assymetric cathedral at the Place de la Cathédrale in the city center.
Choosing the main highlight in the history of the club isn't hard for Strasbourg fans. In 1979, RC Strasbourg became champions by trumping the strong Nantes and Saint-Étienne. Something that had thought been impossible, and the whole city of Strasbourg was drunk for a week. Wat het hoogtepunt in de clubgeschiedenis is, daar hoeven de Strasbourg-supporters niet lang over na te denken. In 1979 werd de club namelijk landskampioen door het ijzersterke Nantes en Saint-Étienne verrassend voor te blijven. Een onmogelijk geachte prestatie en in Straatsburg was men een week dronken.
On the Place Broglie - actually not even a real square - stood more than 100.000 people to cheer their heroes.
The defender came during the year of the title mostly on as a substitute, but still is by far the most famous name of the champions team. Arsène Wenger grew as a fan of RC Strasbourg, became champions with his boyhood team and later a living legend at Arsenal as their manager.
Wenger was born in Strasbourg and grew up in the village of Duttlenheim, 15 minutes outside Strasbourg. His parents had a café in the small town, La Croix d'Or, and the family Wenger lived above their business. The regulars of the bar, without exception fans of RC Strasbourg, were observed hours and hours by the little Arsène, something which he later stated about that it was the base for his people skills, and his interests in later players. The historical building still exists, it's the orange building at Rue Géneral de Gaulle 44, and is now Restaurant Les Deux M.
When you cross the Rhine river from Strasbourg you're already in Germany, which gives football fans the opportunity to visit even more football. On just an hour drive away you'll find SC Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart isn't very much longer, so you can make it a great football weekend. The Bundesliga teams usually play their home games on Saturday afternoons, while Strasbourg mostly plays at Saturday night.
Match tickets for RC Strasbourg are easily bought on the official website of the club. It's not hard to get one, but when PSG, Marseille or Metz come to the city, you better be quick. Matches against Metz are known as the Derby de l'Est and are always very intense evenings.
The stadium is situated a little south from the city center of Strasbourg, and is easy reachable from the city with tram lines A and E (stop Krimmeri). By train, you're in no-time for Strasbourg central station to station Krimmeri-Meinau, close to the stadium.
Beeld: Shutterstock, BSR Agency
