Lyon secures first win in new stadium

By Euronews

Published on 10/01/2016 - 20:46

Lyon’s ‘Stade des Lumieres’, which translates to Stadium of Lights, has been officially unveiled. This superb 59,000-seater arena replaces the Stade

Lyon’s ‘Stade des Lumieres’, which translates to Stadium of Lights, has been officially unveiled. This superb 59,000-seater arena replaces the Stade Gerland, home to l’Olympique Lyonnais for 90 years.

Our Euronews correspondent Paula Vilaplana was inside the stadium as players were getting acquainted with their new home ground.

Paula Vilaplana: “Lyon’s first team players are now training in their new stadium: “The Stade des Lumieres”. The first foundation stone was layed on the 12th of November 2013, it is now the new home of L’Olympique Lyonnais and is set to host six matches at Euro 2016, including one of the semi-finals.”

The stadium was meant to be completed two years ago but construction delays mean work has only just been finished. Billed as one of the most modern stadiums in Europe, club president Jean-Michel Aulas was also quick to praise the end result.

Jean-Michel Aulas: “It’s the project of a lifetime. We have spent the last nine years working hard to turn an idea into a reality. One of our objectives has always been to compete on the big stage with big European clubs. With this stadium, I now feel that we have the necessary means to reach our goal.”

Bruno Genesio’s men celebrated the opening of their new stadium in style with a 4-1 win over bottom club Troyes on Saturday. Alexandre Lacazette, Rachid Ghezzal, Jordan Ferri and Claudio Beauvue each struck as Lyon moved up to sixth place.