Girondins of ’85: A Reunion Four Decades in the Making
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A remarkable gathering of the 1984-1985 Girondins de Bordeaux team took place on Monday, December 15th, in Bordeaux, at the Sud Ouest du sport Oscars, a testament to the enduring bonds forged on the pitch. The reunion, meticulously organized through a detailed Excel spreadsheet of contact information and follow-ups, saw players travel from across France and even Germany, demonstrating a spontaneous willingness to reconnect after 40 years.
Remembering a Season, Honoring the Fallen
The impetus for the gathering stemmed from a desire to revisit a pivotal moment in the club’s history – a team of just 13 players that extended into a broader group for the season. However, the occasion was also marked by poignant remembrance. The 1985 Girondins have mourned the loss of three teammates: goalkeeper Dominique Dropsy (October 7, 2015), Portuguese midfielder Fernando Chalana (August 10, 2022), and striker Bernard Lacombe (June 17, 2025). “We miss him and we cannot do anything other than deeply regret him,” Alain Giresse offered with emotion during his welcoming remarks.
The atmosphere at the Cité du vin, described as resembling a locker room complete with a planning board, transported attendees back to the era. Captain Giresse expressed his joy at the reunion, even playfully acknowledging the fading memories of some matches. Jean Tigana quickly interjected, sparking laughter with a friendly jab about Giresse’s departure before the team achieved the league and cup double the following year.
Revisiting the Epic Clash with Juventus
The conversation inevitably turned to the dramatic European Cup clash against Juventus. A photograph from the Sud Ouest archives, featuring Rohr, Girard, and Lacombe, served as a visual reminder of the intensity of the tie. The first leg in Turin had ended in a humbling 0-3 defeat, and the team felt aggrieved by the officiating. “We came back, we had a fairly surprising arbitration: the problem is that we had Opel as our sponsor and they, Ferrari,” Tigana recounted, hinting at perceived bias.
The memory of René Girard’s injury, sustained from a brutal tackle by Cabrini, was particularly vivid. He required 28 stitches and underwent a makeshift “operation” in the locker room, as recalled by Aimé Jacquet’s assistant, Bernard Michelena. Despite the injury, Girard was determined to play in the return leg, showcasing the team’s unwavering spirit. “I spent two weeks in treatment, I told Aimé: I’m playing. To say how far you can go…”
A Battle of Wills and Alsatian Threats
The return leg at Parc Lescure was a fiercely contested affair. Girard took on the role of unofficial bodyguard to Giresse, refusing to greet his French team captain, Michel Platini, before the match. “I had an unfortunate reflex (smile) and I told him: today, we’re not greeting anyone,” Girard admitted. This intensity carried onto the pitch, with Platini subjected to strong tackles from Rohr and Girard.
The discussion revealed a playful skepticism towards Platini’s performance that evening. “Don’t write it (sic), but he was very pale that evening, wasn’t he?” Girard quipped, while Specht suggested Platini simply didn’t want to remember the match. A particularly memorable anecdote involved Girard speaking in Alsatian, a signal, as he put it, “when Léo speaks Alsatian, there is danger!”
Dieter Muller’s early goal ignited the Parc Lescure crowd, but Juventus ultimately prevailed, advancing to the final against Liverpool at the Heysel stadium in Brussels. The defeat left a lasting sting. “When I lose, I don’t talk to anyone, not even my wife,” Tigana grimaced.
Enduring Camaraderie and Future Plans
Despite the decades that have passed, the bond between these former teammates remains strong. Léonard Specht proposed organizing a jubilee in his hometown of Mommenheim, Alsace, prompting playful complaints from Giresse, Tigana, and Girard about the potential for snow even in July.
Once teammates, always teammates. The reunion served as a powerful reminder of a shared history, a celebration of enduring friendship, and a poignant tribute to those who are no longer with them.
