They went on to win the European Champions Cup, beating Northampton 28-20 in the final. This win represents a huge accomplishment for the club. It truly shines a spotlight on their incredible journey during the past 17 years since they came together via merger in 2006. Replacement Cyril Cazeaux scored the decisive try and landed a penalty to take his team, 23-20, past a deadlocked at halftime, 20-20. This thrilling win further cemented Bordeaux’s place as the powerhouse of European Rugby.
Bordeaux showed amazing determination and tactical nous over the course of the match. Damian Penaud made his mark with two tries, raising his end of year player of the year stakes for a phenomenal performance. His defensive blitzkrieg saw Maxime Lucu named man of the match as the world-class scrum-half took on goal-kicking duties. Under the leadership of coach Yannick Bru, Bordeaux accounted for six former European champions on their path to glory this season, including a semi-final victory over Toulouse.
A History of Resilience
Bordeaux’s rise both on and off the field started when they returned to the Top 14 in 2011. Since then, they’ve come close to perfection and consistently established a championship standard. The club won its first major trophy in dazzling fashion, demonstrating grit and finesse throughout the entire tournament. “It feels good to have this first trophy, it wasn’t easy,” said Lucu after the match, reflecting on the hard-fought journey to success.
Despite a resounding win, the game against Northampton was not without its challenges. Bordeaux were dealt their share of adversity, but continued to keep their eyes on the prize. “We had some very tough moments, but we hung in there,” Lucu added. And the true test of strength came when the team faced challenges head on. Even as they fought their way through injuries, they didn’t lose that competitive edge.
Coach and Player Reflections
Head coach Yannick Bru was rightly proud of his team’s achievements, especially following the disappointment of last season. “We’re really proud of them because last season ended in a nightmare,” he remarked, acknowledging the growth and determination displayed by his players this year. The squad’s story is one of experiences gained, with the first pledge being to never make the same mistake twice.
Phil Dowson, Northampton’s coach, praised Bordeaux’s efforts while recognizing his own team’s valiant fight. “Bordeaux are deserved champions but we went toe-to-toe and I can’t fault my side,” he stated, emphasizing the competitive nature of the match.
Looking Ahead
While Bordeaux celebrates this monumental achievement, they are keeping their eyes on the prize and working to continue their success. What’s clear, though, is that this team has repeatedly proven their ability to meet moments of adversity and find lessons that help them grow. “After last year’s setback we said to ourselves that we never wanted to go through that again because we had taken a lesson,” stated Penaud, highlighting the motivation driving the team’s performance this season.
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