En Avant Guingamp, commonly known as EAG, is one of the most prominent teams in the region of Bretagne, France. Despite being recently relegated to Ligue 2, the team enjoyed some success not so long ago, having conquered the Coupe de France in 2014 and finishing runner-up in the 2019 Coupe de la Ligue. You might not think it’s much, but in a small town like Guingamp (7,000 people), it means the world to them. Despite being young, Noah, 16, has relished some of EAG’s best years so far. Whether in Ligue 1 or Ligue 2, Europa League or Coupe de France, EAG’s supporters will always be there for their club, until the end.
Q: Do you remember what was your first memory regarding EAG? A match, a newspaper, the TV? Maybe someone in your family supports the club?
A: Well, it was a Coupe de France round of 16 match against L’Île Rousse (nowadays FC Balagne) in 2014. I saw the match and had a crush for the starting 11. My father supports the rival team Stade Brestois. Guingamp won the cup that year against Rennes, a rival team. It was an extraordinary memory, I still remember the match. The final was at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, but I watched it on TV.
Q: Sounds like an incredible final. Crazy your dad is a Stade Brestois fan! How did you become an EAG fan then?
A: I became a supporter of EAG by chance and then I watched the matches for a short time before going to the stadium.
Q: Is there any kind of rivalry between you and your dad?
A: Yes! There's a rivalry between my father and me. The teams often face each other in friendly matches close to our home.
Q: In Bretagne there are four major teams, right? EAG, Brest, Lorient and Rennes?
A: Yes, absolutely! I’d say these four clubs plus Concarneau and Saint Brieuc, in the third division. Guingamp's rivals are Brest and Rennes.
Q: Is it a fierce rivalry? Do the fans hate each other?
A: Yes, of course, there's hatred among fans for the domination of the region.
Q: Do you remember your first match at the Stade de Roudourou? What was the feeling of going there for the first time?
A: It was December 14, 2014. Guingamp hosted Paris Saint Germain. That day we beat them 1-0, it was exceptional, the atmosphere in the stadium, it was beautiful to see the fans on fire! In addition to watching PSG play.
Q: Sounds like a thriller! Amazing you guys took on PSG. Tell me more about EAG's fans. I assume you guys have an Ultras group, chants, etc...
A: Yes, of course. The name of the ultra group is “le Kop Rouge” (The Red Kop). Frankly, I love all the songs! When I watch Guingamp in front of my TV, I sing all of them haha, I feel obliged to.
Q: Speaking of which: What would you say is your most treasured memory regarding the club?
A: My best memory at the stadium? Well, when we qualified for the Europa League in 2014 my father told me: "if Guingamp makes it to the Round of 32, we will go see the game together" and we qualified behind Fiorentina, above PAOK and Dinamo Minsk. We got matched against Dynamo Kyiv, the game was crazy because the Ukrainians open the scoreboard but had two red cards before halftime. We ended up winning 2-1 thanks to two goals in the last fifteen minutes!
Q: Amazing your dad was on board with it! Yeah, sounds like a crazy game. EAG is historically a team that doesn't see much European football (they won the Intertoto in 1996, though), but what does it mean for the fans when you finally qualify for any of the European competitions?
A: Well, we were very surprised but super happy that the club from our heart lived a “European adventure”. Many in France said, "Guingamp in the Europa League? It sucks and they're not going to do anything at all you'll see". And we finally were the best French team in the Europa League because Lille and St. Étienne were knocked out in the group stage.
Q: Do you hope to see EAG back in the Ligue 1 and Europe anytime soon?
A: Of course I hope so, but it's going to be very complicated because this season we had a tough year. Half the season we were 18th in the Ligue 2, but our goal is to get back into the elite of French football soon.
Q: The other fans I did interviews with said "when our local teams make it to Europe, we all support each other. We want everyone to do good". Now, I imagine this DOES NOT happen in France, right? You wouldn't go to a Lorient or Rennes match just because they made it to Europe, would you?
A: Not at all in France, when PSG is in the Champions League, Olympique Marseille wants their elimination. There are many cases like that in France in my opinion. Frankly, when Rennes was in the Champions League I wanted their elimination as soon as possible, so going to Rennes’ stadium was unimaginable for me.
Q: It's funny but logical how it changes in "bigger" footballing nations, don’t you think?
A: Yes, look at Germany with RB Leipzig. Everyone hates the club and wishes the worst for them in the UCL.
Q: Speaking of Bretagne a bit, I know you are young, but I understand the people from that region have an unique heritage compared to the rest of France. A different dialect, different history, Celtic culture... Does this translate to football too?
A: I don't know, but the level of Brittany in football is increasing and it's beautiful to see, the young players are talented.
Q: Do you support the French national team a lot? We all know you guys are the reigning World Cup champions. How was that special day for you?
A: Sincerely? I could not see us losing against Croatia because our tournament was just incredible, the World Cup was destined to be won by France. I support the French team, of course, as it is my nation. I like to see them play.
Q: Do you have any pre-match rituals? Anything like that?
A: A ritual? No, haha, I just impatiently wait for the game until it finally starts. It also depends, because when we were 18th I dreaded seeing the matches.
Q: What does football mean for an average French lad and could you describe "France" and "Football" with one word each? And, lastly, what does EAG mean for you in your life?
A: For France, I would say “friends” and for football, “passion”. What does Guingamp mean to me? Well, I will never let go of the club, that's what I’ve told all my friends. Even if we get relegated to the lower leagues or we were to win the first division, I would always behind the team.