Brest Fans Stranded Due to Flight Cancellations
Stade Brestois, a surprising contender in this year's Champions League, faces a setback as several of its supporters remain stranded in Nantes due to flight cancellations. On the evening of November 6, the team is set to face Sparta Prague at 9 p.m. for their fourth group stage match. However, a firefighters' strike at Nantes Atlantique airport led to the cancellation of multiple flights, including a scheduled Volotea flight that was supposed to depart at 11:15 a.m. This disruption has left around sixty fans unable to travel to the Czech Republic, as reported by local outlets including Le Télégramme and France Bleu.
Many supporters received notifications of the flight cancellations late on Tuesday evening, with one fan stating, "We received an email around 7 p.m. on Tuesday telling us that, due to a firefighters' strike at Nantes airport, our flight was cancelled." Attempts to find alternative flights also fell through, with another EasyJet flight scheduled for 10:35 a.m. also being cancelled. Some fans are now resorting to driving over 1,600 kilometers to Prague, with one supporter sharing their plans to leave at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and expecting to arrive by noon on Wednesday.
Stade Brestois' Champions League Journey
Despite the travel troubles for their fans, Stade Brestois has enjoyed a successful campaign in the Champions League so far. The team remains unbeaten after three matches, having secured two victories against Sturm Graz (2-1) and Salzburg (4-0), along with a draw against Bayer Leverkusen (1-1). A win against Sparta Prague would significantly boost their chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the tournament, potentially positioning them for a spot in the top eight, which would grant direct access to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
Following the match against Sparta Prague, Stade Brestois will face another formidable opponent, FC Barcelona, on November 26. As the team continues its Champions League journey, the absence of their supporters in Prague may impact the atmosphere at the Letna stadium. Nonetheless, the players will aim to secure a crucial victory, furthering their aspirations in this prestigious European competition.
