Offside Sound-Off: Tell Us About Your Most Memorable Game Experience

Metz, France. September, 2007. I’d been traveling in France alone. I had a free weekend before going home, so I took the high-speed train out to Metz, on the German border, and bought a ticket to the Metz-Lyon game the next day.

Metz is not a large town. The stadium is less than a mile from the main train station, so most people walked to the game. Thousands of people streaming in. Or in many cases hanging around outside till the last possible second, because the stadiums in France are alcohol-free.

When I looked around, I realized that as a female I was outnumbered by about 25-1. Grandfathers, fathers, sons, with just a few wives and daughters and girlfriends thrown in. I guess women in Metz don’t go to football games. As an American woman I felt like a zoo exhibit.

The stadium is well-maintained, but older. The seats in my section weren’t even seats. More like butt cups, with no backs, just enough plastic to keep you from encroaching on your neighbor. The people above me spoke French. To my left, German. To my right, it sounded like some Slavic language.

The game was between newly-promoted Metz and multiple-time league champions Lyon. Metz has had some good years, but this hasn’t been one of them, and this was already becoming clear by mid-September. Lyon dominated pretty much start to finish. I think everybody knew they would. But Metz never gave up, even after going down by multiple goals. And I was surrounded by people to whom this mattered. The team was founded in 1932, and generations of fans grew up loving and watching this team. You could feel it in the atmosphere.

Lyon won 5-1. I cheered for Lyon’s five goals. They’re one of my favorite teams, and they were the reason I’d gone to Metz. But I think I cheered louder for that one late, lone Metz goal, and for a scrappy team, loved by their fans, that never gave up.

It was a game, and an experience, that I’ll never forget.

Now it’s your turn. We at The Offside want to know: What was your most memorable game experience?

Some Related Stories:

Category: French Ligue 1, World Football