Rugby-Pioneers: Paris is Magic ! Stade Français again...

99 years between these pictures... two eras for Stade Français... the same way to rule French Championship...

I was at the Stade de France last Saturday to support my favorite team (yes, wearing a cool pink jersey...)... Paris managed to strike its 13th title out of 22 finales... what a track record !

Paris had a low start against Clermont (0-9 at half time) but showed a nice blend of courage, energy and experience to eventually score two tries in a dramatic finish... A fully deserved title for Stade France who has been leading the 2006/07 Top14 French League since... the very first day..

The "pioneer era" saw Stade Français winning 8 titles in 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1998, 1901, 1903 and 1908 (runner-up in 1892, 1896, 1899, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1927)

The "Max Guazzini era" saw Stade Français winning 5 titles in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2007 (runner-up in 2005) (detailed stats available at finalesrugby.com )

The upper picture shows the 1908 team, on the day of their winning final against Stade Bordelais. Key players are Charles Beaurin (cap.), Marcel Communeau, Emile Lesieur, Jack Dedet (the guys wearing bowl hats are Jack Muir and Georges Jérome - both French international players). (follow this link for a full size picture)

The middle picture (credit to L'Equipe ) shows Pumas' Augustin Pichot carrying "Le Bouclier de Brennus", French trophy named after Charles Brennus - the artist and rugger who crafted it for the first final in 1891, and who later became a manager of French Rugby Union (I don't have any good picture of Ch.Brennus.. only a couple of cartoons like this one...)

The lower picture (credit to Ayissi/AFP) shows the team parading yesterday on the Champs-Elysées in Paris... Pink was the colour...

Technorati Tags: rugby, postcard, stade français