Quevilly, a historic opponent for Les Rouge et Bleu
Paris Saint-Germain continue their mid-season preparations with a friendly at the training ground, at 12:00 CET on Wednesday 21st December, against Ligue 2 outfit Quevilly Rouen Métropole – a team that made a mark on Les Rouge et Bleu’s history in the club’s early days back in 1970.
On 1st August 1970, Paris Saint-Germain played their first-ever match – a friendly against US Quevilly in front of over 2,000 spectators at the Stade Jean-Bouin.
Jean-Claude Bras would score Paris's only goal in a 3-1 defeat, but it was still a historic first goal for Les Rouge et Bleu.
On 29th August 1970, it was again whilst facing Quevilly that Paris Saint-Germain won their first-ever competitive fixture in what was then known as National (now Ligue 2).
With Jean-Bouin again the venue, the capital club won 3-2 and kickstarted a season that would end with them winning the National title and promotion to the top flight.
Three years later, in May 1973, Quevilly would again play a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's history. At this time, there was a fierce rivalry between the Normandy-based side and Les Rouge et Bleu, who had been relegated to the third division, thereby losing their professional status. Quevilly, meanwhile, looked to be on their way up to the second division when the club's executives confirmed that they would refuse promotion for financial reasons, leaving a space free for Les Parisiens.
This promotion proved to be pivotal in the club's history: if Paris Saint-Germain hadn't made it back into the second division, Daniel Hechter wouldn't have become chairman a few weeks later, restored the club's professional status and taken it back to the top of the French game...
WATCH Paris Saint-Germain V. Quevilly Rouen Métropole Live