26 May 1993 Marseille wins the Champions League: a ‘myth’ created by OM’s youngest supporters.

They didn’t experience Basile Bol’s live goal or the saves of Fabien Barthes, a relentless goalkeeper against Milan’s attack. They did not take part in the celebrations that lit up the Old Port, nor in the triumphant return of the players and their president, Bernard Tapie, to the Stade-Vélodrome, “the cup with big ears” in hand. On May 26, 1993, they were simply not born yet. Or too young to feel the euphoria that swept the city when Olympique de Marseille (OM) sealed France’s first – and so far only – Champions League win in Munich (Germany) (1-0).

Thirty years later, as OM prepares to celebrate its anniversary in style, these supporters now make up the majority in the stands at the Stude Velodrome. According to the club, 55% of the viewers or subscribers of the matches of the 2022-2023 season are under the age of 34. That’s more than 30,000 people a game, in this 67,000-seat stadium, full – or almost – since August.

What is he doing A win in Munich for this new generation of fans? The gold star embroidered on top of the club logo? This angry slogan “Forever First” ? “This is legendary. The greatest moment in OM history, Frank Ferrucci claims, sparkling blue eyes above his brown beard. Born in Marseille in February 1992, the specialist coach was barely a year old when Didier Deschamps, the embattled OM captain, lifted the European Cup against the stars of AC Milan, chaired by Silvio Berlusconi. “I don’t remember about it, but he is ultra relevant, the founder of what is OM today, Claims that this Marseille has been a member of the Stade-Vélodrome for ten years since birth. This is the indicator that everyone agrees on, our cement. When I think of it, I see us as the Greeks at the bows of their ships, sword in hand, ready to conquer. »

“collective memory”

” “Forever First”It’s what you hear at every family meal.” Confirms Emma Rebufat, 21 years old. This young blonde woman, who worked shifts at a food factory, was only one year old when her parents enrolled her in South Bend. He discovered the 1993 final as a teenager during a television broadcast: “I watched it with my grandparents. It was crazy to see how emotional they were anyway. Marseille has always been passionate about football, but after this victory something is different. This plays into the way in which the elderly pass on the love of OM to the young. »