Charles Guyard, edited by Laura Laplaud 2:16 p.m., September 08, 2022

FC Nantes is making a comeback in Europe after an 18-year absence.

"An anomaly" for many supporters who are eager to find their Canaries outside the French borders.

The Yellow and Green will face the Greeks of Olympiakos in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

18 years later: the return of the Canaries to the European Cup.

Thursday evening, at La Beaujoire, FC Nantes, winner of the last Coupe de France, finds Europe with the arrival of the Greeks from Olympiakos in the Europa League.

It hadn't happened here for two decades.

This return to continental competition, the fans are waiting for it feverishly.

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18 years since the Canaries deserted the European scene

The Europa Nantes was at the beginning of the century and all of this is a bit confusing for Michel.

"I have to work on my memory," he says.

It has been 18 years since the Canaries deserted the European scene.

Their last appearance dates back to 2004, in the defunct Intertoto Cup.

An eternity which indeed obliges to delve far into the memories, even if certain events have definitively printed those of Aurélie.

"I particularly remember the game of September 11. I arrived late and I did not understand. I arrived at the moment of the minute of silence and I was there 'but what happened? past ?'

I was not aware since we did not have social networks”, she smiles.

"An anomaly when you know the history of the club"

Another era.

Since its last European course, FC Nantes, eight times champion of France, has not left the French borders.

Inconceivable for Richard.

"It's an anomaly when you know the history of the club."

This president of a Nantes supporters club, located in Paris, could not miss this meeting.

"It was out of the question to miss it. It's a bit of a pilgrimage", he testifies.

"It's really magical"

A pilgrimage that they will make to about fifteen members of this association from the capital.

They will come to mingle with the general enthusiasm.

"It's a fantastic thing", "historically, it's something for Nantes", "it's really magical", "it warms the heart, it should vibrate well", they say.

More than 30,000 supporters are expected at La Beaujoire and will have only one wish: to see the yellow house finally shine elsewhere than in Ligue 1 and "show that Nantes still exists on the European scene".

A match to follow live on Europe 1.