UEFA EURO 2016 - Hosts - Marseille city guide - UEFA.com Marseille city guide Population: 860,363 City ambassadors: Basile Boli (former French international), Florent Manaudou (2012 Olympic-winning swimmer) Marseille – the second best destination on the planet according to The New York Times, and the world’s fifth most beautiful coastal city in the opinion of the prestigious National Geographic – is visited by more than five million people every year. Dubbed ‘2016’s coolest destination’ by the press, France’s oldest city has established a reputation as a dynamic and outward-looking metropolis. The old port©Thinkstock A city of passion and football, Marseille was a European Capital of Culture in 2013 and organises thousands of cultural and sporting events throughout the summer. No visit to Marseille would be complete without seeing the beaches and the spectacular rocky inlets (calanques in French) that punctuate the city’s 57km of coastline. Come and experience UEFA EURO 2016 in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Back to menu HISTORY The city’s history is inextricably linked with that of the Mediterranean Sea, which was crossed by the Greek explorers from the city of Phocaea who founded Marseille in 600 BC. The largest port in the Mediterranean, Marseille is an outward-looking city that combines heritage and modernity. In the midst of an urban regeneration process, the city is now focused on tourism and has established itself as a prime destination for Mediterranean cruise ships. Five million people visited Marseille in 2013, when it was a European Capital of Culture, and many more are expected to follow this year – and in 2017, when it will be the European Capital of Sport. The city’s 57km of coastline (of which 20km is in the Calanques National Park), its 300 days of sunshine a year, its green spaces and areas of natural beauty, its warm and welcoming people and its accessibility are all major assets in terms of the city’s image.

Recently classified as an ‘area of excellence’ on account of the quality of its higher education, scientific research and technological innovation, Marseille is seeking to boost its competitiveness on the international stage and be regarded as a ‘hot spot’ of the knowledge economy. The large numbers of local ‘French tech’ start-ups in the digital, transmedia and audiovisual sectors (notably around the Belle de Mai hub) have put the city in the vanguard of developments in these industries.

Back to menu FAMOUS RESIDENTS • Edmond Rostand, dramatist and member of the French Academy (1868–1918) – author of Cyrano de Bergerac • Marcel Pagnol, writer and filmmaker (1895–1974) – perhaps the most famous of all Provencal authors, both for his books and for his films • Jean-Claude Izzo, journalist and writer (1945–2000) – Izzo rejuvenated the French noir genre with his crime novels set in Marseille • IAM, rap group (formed in 1989) – these pioneers of French rap created a Marseille scene that is still vibrant today • César Baldaccini, sculptor (1921–1998) – a world-renowned artist behind many sculptures in Marseille, perhaps the most famous a giant thumb Back to menu THINGS TO SEE • The Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde church stands high above Marseille and offers panoramic views of the city and its harbour.

The church was constructed between 1853 and 1899 on the site of a former military camp, and the golden statue of the Virgin with child that sits atop it is known as 'La Bonne Mère' and has become the symbolic protector of Marseille. Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica©AFP • The Château d'If was built in 1527 on one of the Frioul islands in the Bay of Marseille on the orders of King Francis I. Initially used as a fort, Château d'If soon became a royal prison. The famous iron mask and Edmond Dantès, the Count of Monte Cristo, were both housed here (although Alexandre Dumas's Count is a purely fictional character). • Le Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (MuCEM – Museum of the Civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean), designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti and located at the entrance to the old port, has become a symbol of the city's regeneration.

The museum's daring cubic architecture, connected by a spectacular walkway to the historical Saint-Jean fort, a Vauban fortification, attracted 2.6 million visitors in its first year after opening in June 2013 during Marseille's reign as European Capital of Culture. • Le Panier is the oldest urban district of any city in France and overlooks the Old Port. The quarter is located on the site of the first Greek settlement. The stepped streets and alleyways convey a typical Mediterranean atmosphere and also contain 'La Vieille Charité', an almshouse built by Pierre Puget in 1670, now home to museums and a cultural centre. • The Calanques National Park, established on 18 April 2012, is the first periurban park in Europe and the first in France to incorporate both land and marine environments. A paradise for divers and climbers, the Park covers 85 square kilometres of land south of Marseille as well as 435 square kilometres of Mediterranean Sea and is home to protected species of flora and fauna. Back to menu TRANSPORT Getting there Marseille is served by an international airport, a TGV railway station and several motorways.

The city is easily accessed and has a network of over 1,100km of roads. Marseille is linked to the Rhône Valley and northern Europe by the A7 motorway, to Spain by the A55 and to Italy by the A50 and A8. In addition to overland access, the Marseille-Provence airport at Marignane, with its MP2 terminal for low-cost airlines, connects Provence to the rest of the world via 132 scheduled flights, the most in France outside Paris. More than eight million passengers used the airport in 2012. Connections to the city are by bus and motorway. Saint-Charles railway station©Thinkstock The TGV arrives at the Saint-Charles railway station in the heart of Marseille. The journey time to Paris is just over three hours while Lyon is a mere one hour and 40 minutes away. Marseille's international bus station is adjacent to the railway station and has departures to all major European cities. Ferry lines also link Marseille to Corsica, Algeria and Tunisia.

Distances to other UEFA EURO 2016 venues Nice – 215km FOOTBALL The Stade Vélodrome©UEFA.com Football is the passion of the people of Marseille. Olympique de Marseille – ‘OM’ – are a core component of the city’s social fabric, and Stade Vélodrome is the team’s home. Inaugurated in 1937 in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in France the following year, the stadium has been renovated on several occasions (notably prior to the 1998 FIFA World Cup). In preparation for UEFA EURO 2016, its capacity has been increased to 67,000 and it has acquired a roof. The stadium is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. Marseille are the most decorated club in the history of French football, having won the French league nine times, the French Cup ten times and the League Cup three times.

However, their victory against AC Milan in the 1993 UEFA Champions League final (having lost to Belgrade’s FK Crvena zvezda in the final two years earlier) is their standout honour, entitling them to wear the coveted star on their shirts. That European title – the only time a French club has ever won the competition – was the high point of Bernard Tapie’s reign as president of Marseille, which lasted from 1986 to 1994. In recent years, Marseille have had a number of European campaigns and won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2005. Under the stewardship of coach Didier Deschamps – who had captained the team in their Champions League triumph – they topped the French league in 2010, won the League Cup three times and lifted the Trophée des Champions twice. The club’s colours, sky blue and white, and their motto, ‘Droit au but’, can be found all over the city, testifying to the locals’ visceral attachment to their club.

Famous players • Jean-Pierre Papin (1963–) – a prodigious goalscorer, Papin won the 1991 Ballon d'Or and achieved immortality in the eyes of Marseille supporters Jean-Pierre Papin©Bob Thomas/Getty Images • Marius Trésor (1950–) – a French international defender at the 1982 World Cup, Trésor played for Marseille from 1972–80 • Didier Deschamps (1968–) – the current France coach captained OM to UEFA Champions League glory and managed the team from 2009–12 • Roger Magnusson (1945–) – this Swedish player was an OM superstar in the 1970s with his superb dribbling skills • Basile Boli (1967–) – a hero of the 1993 victory, his headed goal against Milan has gone down in history Did you know? Ahmed Ben Bella, who would go on to become Algerian President, played and scored a goal for OM in a cup match against Antibes in the 1939/40 season.

Back to menu OTHER SPORTS A candidate city to become the 2017 European Capital of Sport, Marseille also actively encourages other elite sports. The Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille (CNM) swimming club has won water polo titles and trained swimming champions (Camille Lacourt, Frédérick Bousquet and Fabien Gilot among others). ©AFP/Getty Images The Stade Vélodrome also regularly hosts RC Toulonnais rugby matches. The club completed a historic double in 2014, dominating the Top 14 League and Heineken Cup. The nearby Palais des Sports stages the ATP Open 13 tennis tournament in February and is home to many other indoor sports competitions. USEFUL LINKS Stade Véledrome - Marseille Guide | Football Tripper Stadium Guide History Stade Vélodrome has its origins firstly in France’s 1938 World Cup bid and secondly in the management of Marseille’s believing that their current home, Stade de l’Huveaune, was too small.

The convergence of both these factors resulted in the constructed of a then, state-of-the art 60,000 capacity stadium although the Vélodrome only hosted two matches in the World Cup. Similar to how many stadiums across France have developed, the history of Stade Vélodrome is intertwined with the country’s successful bidding and hosting of major sporting events. The 1984 Euros resulted in a first round of refurbishment for the ageing stadium, with host nation France triumphing in the tournament beating Portugal 3-2 at Stade Vélodrome en route to the final. Further renovations occurred in the mid 90s when Olympique de Marseille’s stadium was practically rebuilt for the 1998 World Cup , with France once again triumphing on home soil, although the Vélodrome was criticised by some fans for its exposure to the elements and poor acoustics due to the lack of cover around the open stands. The most recent renovation plans in time for the Euro 2016 tournament are expected to correct this fault, with an addition of a roof across all stands and an increased capacity to 67,000.

Finally, it is worth noting that Marseille’s Vélodrome is a multi-purpose arena and despite it’s associations with football, it also occasionally hosts matches of Rugby Club Toulon and the national rugby team. It was even used as one of the venues of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Seating Plan Below is a seating plan of Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome: Stands The Velodrome can be thought of as four stands: Nord, Est, Sud and Ouest. Click the thumbnails above to enlarge an image of each stand. The Matchday Experience Away Fans Away fans who make the intimidating trip to Marseille’s backyard are housed within the north-east corner between the Virage Nord goal-end, and the Tribune Ganay which is the eastern grandstand. The travelling contingent generally occupies the lower-tier which is inherited from the adjacent main stand with the club referring to this section as the Zone de Visiteur. Best Pubs Famed for its great weather and outdoor culture, there are plenty of pleasant places to grab a pint from around the city with outdoor beer terraces very popular with locals. The map below lists a few of the more football friendly pubs in the city, with bars located both north and south of the city centre.

Food Marseille was designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2013 , and whether or not you attach gastronomy to this is entirely up to you. Around the stadium there are numerous fast food options such as McDonald’s to the east, subway to the North and numerous Pizza places such as Pizzeria Del Giro and Pizzas La Marseillaise, in addition to more traditional French restaurants. Club Shop Olympique Marseille have three stores throughout the city which easily allows you to grab official club merchandise during your visit to the South of France, in addition to their official online store . The most popular one is located at the stadium itself. Opening Hours Monday to Saturday: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm and 2.00pm – 6.00pm. Matchdays: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm July – August: Summer Hours apply Inside one of the three chic Olympique de Marseille boutiques. The other two stores are located at 44 Canebiere, 13001, and La Valentine within Centre Commercial Geant on Route de la Sabliere.

Stadium Tours There didn’t appear to be much obvious information on a stadium tour on the official website but other sources suggest that one does exist. The guided tour described as a “true privilege” takes in behind the scenes areas such as the dressing rooms, VIP boxes, the press room and pitchside via the players’ tunnel and the manager’s dugout. The tour costs €10.00 for adults and €8.50 for children (under 18s) with tours apparently running every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, with more tours running during half term and holiday season. Failing this, you could always check out this cool 360 panorama of the stadium . Ticket Prices Tickets to see Marseille play at home can be purchased online, or in person at either the three official boutiques, at the designated ticket office at the stadium or at one of the many other ticket vendors such as Francebillet or Ticketnet. Price wise, expect to pay between €30.00 to €90.00 for a decent seat along the main grand stand, and a maximum of €50.00 for behind the goal where the hardcore fans sit.

As per usual, you will have to pay a slight premium for the highest profile matches. Ticket prices for a seat at the main stand range from €30.00 to €90.00, and a seat at the lower opposite side costs €40.00. Expect to pay more for a few high-profile matches such as Le Classique against Paris Saint-Germain. Matchday Travel Stade Vélodrome can be found in the southern part of Marseille, around 4km away from Vieux-Port – Pointe Rouge which the seaside part of the historic centre. The recently expanded curved roof and exterior of one of France’s most iconic stadiums. You could feasible walk to the stadium 50 minutes from the city centre although you better bring your suntan lotion and water! Driving If you are coming from the direction of the airport or North of the city, take the A55 towards Marseille and follow signs for the city centre. Once you are on this road, it shouldn’t take longer than 25 minutes.

The address is as follows: 3, Boulevard Michelet, 13008 Marseille Car Parks There is a reasonable amount of on site parking located north of the ground which is available to use on matchdays at the price of a few euros. Train Gare de Marseille Saint-Charles (Often just called Marseille Saint-Charles) is the main train station of the city and is one of the main terminal stations for TGV in the South of France. This means that it is well connected to the rest of the country; you can reach Paris away in three hours for example and Lyon in just over 90 minutes. Metro Marseille has a marvellous metro system operated by Régie des transports de Marseille (RTM), and the city is served by two simple lines: Blue (Line 1) and Red (Line 2). To get to the stadium hope on to the red line 2 southbound, and look to get off at either Rond-Point du Prado (West of the Stadium) or Sainte-Marguerite Dromel (East). Both will leave you with a walk less than 5 minutes to the ground, it really is that easy.

Rond Point du Prado Metro Station – the closest stop to Stade Velodrome. Bus The train station Marseille Saint-Charles is also the main bus station of the city, but there’s no information offered as to what bus lines can take you there. Don’t worry though, the Metro is much easier. Airports The main airport for the city and the Alpes-Côte d’Azur region is Marseille Provence Airport which is located in Marignane. Approximately 27 km northwest of the city centre and Stade Vélodrome, the airport is the 5th busiest in France and the only non-Parisian one in the country which flies to the United States. Once you have landed you can get to Marseille by taking either the shuttle bus service, a taxi or train. All options should take you no more than 30 minutes.

Hotels The closest and most reputable hotels to Stade Vélodrome are probably Hotel Mercure Marseille Prado and Hotel Le Corbusier but as the stadium is on the Metro track 2, it makes sense to choose a hotel near to a station on this line with either Notre Dame du Mont Cours Julien or Jules Guesde being two good reference points for your search. If you want to play it safe and need to be near to Gare Saint-Charles then try the unfashionable Holiday Inn Express Marseille – Saint Charles or the plain looking Vertigo centre hotel. By Football Tripper Football in France, Introduction to the French Football System Women's football Championnat de France de football féminin (Female Football France Championship) Other famous French football cups are the Coupe de France (France cup), Coupe de la Ligue (league cup) and Trophée des Champions (Champions' Trophy). The latter is a game played between the Coupe de France winner and the Ligue 1 championship winner. The Coupe de la Ligue is a competition with only professional clubs playing while the Coupe de France is open to any French club.

In 1998, the national team became world champion, surprising everyone and creating a huge pride amongst the French people. This remains an historic moment in people’s minds, the nation unity was even reinforced then. More than the football victory itself, the important side of this event was this feeling of community, which is often threatened by social, political or economic divisions in the French society. 1352 But France’s performance in the World Cup in 2002 recalled painful times when France was a weak contender in world and European football. Today, football plays a unique role in the French society, players as well as coaches are highly regarded internationally. Average Price of Tickets The average price of tickets is about €10/ €20 for a local game to €100 for an international game at a Parisian stadium for instance. Most tickets during the year cost around €30/ €40 if you want a good seat in a popular stand. Hooligans Hooliganism is a rare phenomenon in France these days but problems can occur after football games, especially those involving the teams of Marseille and Paris, or during international competitions.

If you are caught by the police while damaging public places, shops or fighting with other football fans, you face massive fines and even a prison term. The French authorities could also ban you from all stadiums in the country on a permanent basis. Main Ligue 1 Teams Marseille Marseille is a city located in the South East of France. Founded in 1899, its team was a European champion a decade ago and it still struggles to achieve that goal again. The shirt is light-blue and white. The home stadium of the team is the Stade Vélodrome located in Marseille. Marseille is one of the top French football teams and is regularly in the top 10 teams of the French championship competition. The motto of the team is “straight to the goal”. 1349 Bordeaux Bordeaux is a city located in the South West of France. This is a discreet but very powerful team being 2nd of the French championship on a regular basis. The club was founded in 1881. The shirt is dark blue and white. The home stadium of the Girondins de Bordeaux is the Stade Chaban Delmas, inaugurated in 1938.

The current coach of the team is Laurent Blanc, one of tthe 1998 world cup winners. The badge of the team features the number “1881”, refering to the date of foundation and the strong tradition of the team. 1348 Paris Paris is the French capital city. Its team has often been criticized for its lack of results in the national championships though it includes many great players. The club was created only in 1970. The home stadium of the team is the Parc des Princes (“princes’ garden”). The current coach is Paul Le Guen. This team has very unstable results, offering the best as the worst performances. The badge of the team represents the Eiffel Tower as a shelter for a baby buggy (representing the team?). 1351 Lyon This club was created in 1950. During the last few years, Lyon has been several times champion of France, with remarkable achievements and many great players composing the team. Lyon is the third city of France by the number of inhabitants, and is a pretty young city (when it comes to the age of the inhabitants). The shirt is all white when playing at home.

The home stadium of the team is the Stade Gerland. It is the only club in France to have won 7 championship titles in a row (in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008). 1350 Sports Events 365 | Buy Olympique de Marseille ( OM ) tickets online - 2016-2017 Olympique de Marseille ( OM ) Olympique de Marseille ( OM ) Olympique de Marseille, also known as L’OM was founded in 1899 in the city of Marseille. For most of the club’s history it has competed in France’s top league, Ligue 1. Marseille play their football at the 60,000-seater Stade Vélodrome which it moved to in 1937. The stadium filled regularly by the impressive L’OM fans and is said to have one of the best atmospheres in the league. Every time Marseille score a goal at the Stade Vélodrome, the song Come with Me by Puff Daddy is played.

The club’s colours are light blue and white but Marseille are renowned for their eccentric designs on their away and alternative kits. Marseille have an impressive trophy record and they are the only French club to have ever won the Champions League, which they won in 1993. The club has also won nine Ligue 1 titles, most recently in 2010. They hold a record of ten Coupe de la Ligue titles, making them one of the most successful teams in French football history. Traditionally, the club’s biggest rivalry is with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The match between the two teams is known as Le Classique. The match is a big occasion as it features the biggest sides from France’s two largest cities. Le Classique is known to be a heated affair both on and off the pitch. More recently Olympique Lyon have also become one of Marseille’s biggest rivals. The club has been home to many notable footballers such as Didier Drogba, Robert Pires, Franck Ribery, Samir Nasri and Abedi Pele, whose sons both play for Marseille. The club is managed by Elie Baup, who took over from Dider Deschamps in 2012.

The current club captain is French goalkeeper, Steve Mandanda. Other key players for the club are the Ghanaian Ayew brothers, Mathiew Valbuena and Dimitri Payet. Since 2006, Sports Events is proud to be the most reliable ticket broker in the market, with our "Supply Guaranteed" policy. Every order is handled by one of our sales representative to ensure the best customer-care possible. Don't wait! Buy your Olympique de Marseille tickets from Sports Events 365 today! Marseille | Football in France Football in France OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE – STADE VELODROME – CAPACITY: 60,031 ALL SEATER About the Stade Vélodrome The Stade Vélodrome is the biggest club stadium in France and certainly one of the most atmospheric even though it only has one side with a roof. The stadium was originally built as a cycling track – hence its name and the facilities to add football to the list of events it hosts began in 1937. It wasn’t until the late 1990’s that the cycle track was actually removed.

In 1938 the stadium hosted a number of matches in the World Cup Finals, including the semi-final between Italy and Brazil. Since then the stadium has been developed on a number of occasions, raising the capacity over time to the current 60,000 limit. The most unique feature of the stadium is the huge Tribune Ganay that holds over 20,000 supporters alone. There are current plans to redevelop both ends of the stadium, and to add a roof to the remaining three sides to take the capacity to 80,000. Such a move seems interesting as technically the stadium has never sold out – the record attendance being just under 59,000 for a UEFA Cup semi-final versus Newcastle United in 2004. The views from any part of the stadium are very good – even in the upper parts of the Ganay. The four stands are actually names after local celebrities – such as Chevalier Roze who stopped the spread of the Bubonic Plague in the 18th century. The hardcore Marseille fans can be found at either end of the stadium in the Virage’s. Who plays there?

Whilst the stadium is world-known for the home of OM – Olympique Marseille, the stadium has gained a reputation as one of the finest stadiums in the world for hosting Rugby. In fact the French national team are frequently visitors to the stadium, and actually went over 4 years unbeaten at the stadium until 2004. The ground will also host a number of matches in the forthcoming Rugby World Cup finals. However, the stadium is famed throughout the world as the home of OM – Olympique Marseille. Despite its recent problems, the club are undoubtedly the biggest in France, and some would argue the most successful. They were originally formed in 1899, although success didn’t really arrive in the south of France until late 1980’s and the arrival of the millions of francs from new owner Bernard Tapie. The club won their first honours in the 1920’s, winning successive French cup titles in 1926 and 1927. In 1937 the club won their first title in the new professional era of French football. The following few years saw another couple of French cups, as well as a second championship in 1948.

In the 1970’s the club took the opportunity to become the most successful French team when they won the double in 1972. However, their success was short-lived as the Platini inspired Saint Etienne dominated domestic and European football in the mid 1970’s. In 1986 Bernard Tapie arrived as the new owner of the club, thanks to the money of Adidas and the political power of then mayor Gaston Deferre. He immediately started funding a revolution in French football with big name players such as Jean-Pierre Papin, Chris Waddle, Eric Cantona and Enzo Francescoli arriving in the next few years. Success did not take long to arrive as the club won the domestic double again in 1989, followed by Championship titles in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In 1991 the club reached the final of the Champions League, losing to Red Star Belgrade on penalties in Bari. Two years later they reached the final again in Munich where they recorded their finest moment in their history when they beat AC Milan 1-0.

In 1994 the football world was shocked by revelations of match fixing involving Tapie the club were relegated to the second division and had their Champions League title striped. Their exile lasted all of two seasons as they returned to the top division as champions in 1995 – thanks to the goals of Tony Cascarino. The investment in the team was once again forthcoming from Adidas – this time from Robert Louis-Dreyfus. Since then they have failed to match the ambition and investment by Lyon domestically, although in Europe they have managed to reach two UEFA Cup Finals in 1999 and 2004 where they lost to Parma and Valencia respectively. In 2007 they had the chance to win some silverware for the first time in fifteen years when they reached the French cup final. However, they lost on penalties to the underdogs Sochaux. They can be consoled by a second place finish in the league, and a return to the Champions League group stages in 2007/08, although in the new season campaign they could not catch Bordeaux and Lyon at the top so had to make do with a 3rd place finish this time around.

How to get there The impressive Stade Vélodrome is located in the south east part of the city, around about 4km from the centre. The easiest way to reach the stadium is by Metro, on Line 2 to Ste Marguerite/Dromel which is five stops and 8 minutes journey time from St Charles SNCF station. Exit the station via the Rond Point du Prado exit and you will see the stadium straight ahead. Alternatively you can catch bus 83 from the city centre. For a better overview of football in France, go to Footiemap.com to view their excellent and comprehensive graphical overview of French football. Getting a ticket Whilst Marseille are the best supported team in France, the average attendance in previous seasons at the stadium has only rarely broken the 50,000 barrier, meaning that there tends to be on average around 10,000 seats available on the day of the game. Tickets generally go on sale 10 days before the match from the ticket office at the ground, and from the club shop at OM Café Vieux Port, the official Tourist Office at 4 La Canebière and any Carrefour and FNAC store throughout France.

They can also be bought online from the official site at . Ticket prices range from €30 in the Tribune Ganay which is the huge open stand, to €50 in the Balcon which offers some protection from the elements. Tickets for either Virage (area behind the goal) are only on sale to club members. Getting around Marseille is not the easiest city to navigate. Anyone who has tried to locate a particular address by driving through the narrow streets will testify the frustrations of everyday Marseille. The city does have a two line metro system that intersects at Gare Saint-Charles. The nearest station to the action in the old town is Vieux Port. Buses compliment the metro for journeys to the outskirts. Nearest Airport – Marseille Provence (MRS) Telephone: +33 442 14 1414 Website: Marseille Provence airport is located 27km north west of the city centre and is now the busiest airport in the country outside Paris, handling over 6million passengers a year. It has two terminals, including one that is specifically for budget airlines. To reach the city centre, catch one of the buses that run every 20 minutes to Gare St Charles.

The bus costs €8.50 each way. The following airlines currently fly to Marseille on a daily basis. British Airways from London Gatwick, BMIBaby from Birmingham, Easyjet from London Gatwick and Bristol and finally Ryanair from Bournemouth, Glasgow-Prestwick and London Stansted. Like this: Euro 2016: Germany sings the blues as Marseille celebrates - CNN.com Euro 2016: Germany sings the blues as Marseille celebrates Updated 8:52 AM ET, Fri July 8, 2016 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany French players celebrate after defeating Germany 2-0 in the semifinals of Euro 2016 on Thursday, July 7. France, the tournament hosts, will play Portugal in Sunday's final. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany Germany's Julian Draxler reacts after the match. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany French players celebrate with fans.

Hide Caption 3 of 14 Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany Antoine Griezmann, second from left, scores the second goal of the match. Griezmann had both of France's goals, and he leads the tournament with six goals scored. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany Griezmann, right, celebrates the second goal with teammate Andre-Pierre Gignac. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany Griezmann opened the scoring with a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany The penalty was awarded after Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger, right, handled the ball in the box. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany Draxler fouls Moussa Sissoko. 8 of 14 Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris watches as a shot from Germany's Joshua Kimmich hits the post late in the second half.

Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany German defender Benedikt Howedes reacts during the match. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany Draxler battles Dimitri Payet for possession. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany Lloris made several big saves for the French team. Hide Caption 12 of 14 Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany Germany fans wave a large flag in the Velodrome stadium before the match in Marseille, France. Hide Caption Photos: Euro 2016 semifinal: France vs. Germany A France fan is ready before the match. Hide Caption France reaches final of Euro 2016 Defeats Germany 2-0 in Marseille Antoine Griezmann scores twice France will Portugal in final on Sunday Marseille (CNN) "We're going to the final! We're going to the final!" The chants start up prematurely -- as the second goal hits the back of the net -- but ultimately prove prescient.

Antoine Griezmann -- one of the stars of the tournament after a stellar year in Spain -- booked the host's place in the final of Euro 2016 with two expertly-taken goals here, sending Marseillaise fans into a joyful frenzy as the hosts set their eyes on the Stade de France showpiece against Portugal on Sunday. Cars frantically honk as that second goal goes in -- unaware of the scorer but ecstatic that France has struck again. Read More As a chorus of "Allez les Bleus!" ("Go on the Blues!") is struck up, the horns strike up again, honking in time. It's repeated when France goalkeeper Hugo Loris saves a shot from a crucial scuffle as the match comes to an exhilarating climax. Port-town mentality Marseille is a football city, in the way that Liverpool, Glasgow and Hamburg are football cities. There is a gritty sharpness here, a port-town mentality -- and humor -- that goes well with their football. The city has been the birthplace some of France's greatest footballing heroes, notably Eric Cantona and Zinedine Zidane, and it's a legacy that its citizens revel in.

JUST WATCHED MUST WATCH Are Ronaldo and Bale in your Ultimate XI for Euro 2016? 01:34 The atmosphere in the city on Thursday, but also at the other games Marseille has hosted, was electric. "It can be hot. It's France and it's Marseille," says Eric Tessier, originally from Brittany in northwest France but a longtime resident of North Carolina. And as the game swung back and forth, he hedged his bets. "The German (team) are a Niagara Falls to cross." But the tightrope has been walked. Great things expected? As France continues to impress at Euro 2016, anticipation is as high as it's been in the country since, arguably, the last major tournament held here -- the 1998 World Cup. That team has gone down in history, and the people of Marseille are hopeful that this year's vintage will go on to challenge for even greater things — although not everyone was convinced at the beginning of the tournament.

"It's special because it's in Marseille," says Kevin Boucaron, a Marseillaise fan watching the game from the pavement outside L'Osteria du Prado, a small bar that has spilled out onto the street for the occasion, on the Avenue du Prado, one of the city's main arteries. JUST WATCHED The pressure of a penalty shootout 04:28 "It's special because it was unexpected." So, they sing. As the fans inside the stadium sing that rousing anthem, outside the air reverberates. Of course, only this town could inspire one of the world's most stirring national anthems -- "La Marseillaise." It's a powerful song, and the Germans seem visibly twitchy standing in the middle of the Stade Velodrome, a stadium so often described as Marseille's 12th man. It seems to work. Ahead of the final, tickets were changing hands for hundreds, even thousands of Euros. The Stade Velodrome, Olympique Marseille's home, holds close to 70,000 but there are thousands more who pack the fan zones and line the streets, craning to get a look at alfresco-rigged TVs outside bars.

A French mirror? It's a cliché, but Les Bleus' diverse team has long been hailed as a true mirror of multicultural France, and scanning along the players as they belt out "La Marseillaise" the diversity is immediately apparent. The cliché was most commonly trotted out almost 20 years ago, when the racially-mixed 1998 team, led by Zidane -- of Algerian descent -- and Marcel Desailly, originally from Ghana, swept all before them, upsetting a Ronaldo-led Brazil side in the final. JUST WATCHED It's not all roses, though -- and ahead of the tournament Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema accused coach Didier Deschamps of omitting him to appease "a racist part of France." France's junior minister for sports, Thierry Braillard tweeted that Benzema's statements to Marca were "unjustified and unacceptable. Total support to FFF and Didier Deschamps." "It's just something that people like to say to destabilize the team," says Boucaron, the fan watching from the street. Bete noir?

Grudges in European football are nothing new, and every team has a "bete noir" -- but Germany collects them like it was collecting football stickers for its Euro 2016 album. READ: U.S. aiming for World Cup semis There's the one with the Dutch -- who still sing about the bicycles the Nazi invaders stole -- as well as of course the English, who use their 1966 World Cup victory (as well as the tired refrain, "two World Wars") as a cudgel with which to beat their old sporting enemy. With France, there were historical wrongs to right -- most notably the World Cup in 1982, a scar on the two countries' sporting relations, when, on a muggy night in Seville, German keeper Toni Schumacher escaped sanction for a brutal challenge on French player Patrick Battiston and set up one of the most nail-biting penalty shootouts in the game's history before Germany triumphed. Read: Full Euro 2016 coverage Then-France captain Michel Platini said of that night: "That was my most beautiful game. What happened in those two hours encapsulated all the sentiments of life itself.

"No film or play could ever recapture so many contradictions and emotions. It was complete. So strong. It was fabulous." And now those demons have been laid to rest. As the final whistle blew, the streets erupted and the party moved from the stadium to the roundabout in front of it -- tricolors, beer and optimism moving this French team on to the next stage, and, these fans hope and pray, victory once again in Paris against Portugal on Sunday. Euro 2016 venue by venue: France's 10 stadiums for finals - BBC Sport BBC Sport Euro 2016 venue by venue: France's 10 stadiums for finals By Tom McCoy Read more about sharing. Saint-Etienne and Toulouse were added to the host cities to cope with Euro 2016's expanded format This month's European Championship finals will be the biggest ever, with 51 games staged at 10 locations, including new stadiums in Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon and Nice.

Building the new venues and renovating historic grounds such as Marseille's Stade Velodrome has cost 1.6bn euros (£1.2bn) - modernisation which was necessary, organisers say, because France did not fully capitalise on hosting the 1998 World Cup. BBC Sport presents its venue-by-venue guide to the grounds that England, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will be playing in, featuring such varied delights as vibrating stands, floating roofs and adjacent slag heaps. Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Created by the architects behind Munich's Allianz Arena and Beijing's 'Bird Nest' Olympic stadium, the 42,000-capacity Stade de Bourdeaux has steep stands, with upper tiers at a 35° angle - the maximum allowed in France. The 184m euro (£130m) stadium's stanchions are designed to resemble pine trees in the nearby Landes forest - claimed to be the biggest planted forest in Europe, and marshland until the 19th century. 'You feel vibrations - it's normal' Some fans were unnerved by structural movement during Bordeaux's first game at their new home in May 2015.

A stadium official explained: "It's a metallic stadium - when people jump in rhythmical fashion you feel vibrations. It's normal." Bordeaux had previously played at the Stade Chaban-Delmas - a venue at the 1938 and 1998 World Cups. Bordeaux's Euro 2016 games Group B - Wales v Slovakia, 11 June (17:00 BST) Group F - Austria v Hungary, 14 June (17:00 BST) Group E - Belgium v Rep. Ireland, 18 June (14:00 BST) Group D - Croatia v Spain, 21 June (20:00 BST) Quarter-final #3, 2 July (20:00 BST) And another thing... The city was under English rule from 1152-1453 but was reclaimed during the Hundred Years' War. Bordeaux is now best known for wine - the region produces 750 million bottles a year.

Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens The 38,000-capacity Stade Bollaert-Delelis was originally oval but rectangular stands were added in the 1970s - giving it an English-style look. The scene of Laurent Blanc's golden goal for France against Paraguay at the 1998 World Cup, it was also used at Euro '84, but needed a 70m euro (£50m) upgrade for Euro 2016, and was shut for renovation last season. Slag heaps and chips For a long time Lens had a reputation as a grim, unfashionable city plagued by high unemployment, and best known for its red-brick terraces, slag heaps, football and love of chips. But regeneration is under way, with the 150m euro (£109m) Louvre-Lens Museum - an outpost of Paris' celebrated art gallery - opening in 2012 on the site of a disused colliery.

Lens' Euro 2016 games Group A - Albania v Switzerland, 11 June (14:00 BST) Group B - England v Wales, 16 June (14:00 BST) Group D - Czech Republic v Turkey, 21 June (20:00 BST) Last 16 (1st Grp D v 3rd Grp B, E or F), 25 June (20:00 BST) And another thing... Lens' entire population would not fill the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, yet the city's team attract crowds of 25,000 - despite dropping out of the top flight in 2015. Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille Named after a former French prime minster and mayor of Lille, the 50,000-capacity Stade Pierre Mauroy is home to the city's top-flight club but has also hosted rugby union, basketball and tennis - including the 2014 Davis Cup final. A clever design feature allows the northern half of the pitch to be raised several metres in the air and slid directly over the southern half.

That reveals a compact 'showcase' level with room for temporary seating - ideal for focusing attention on a smaller area such as tennis court or musical stage. The unused half of the stadium is then curtained off to create a better atmosphere. The stadium's roof can open or close in 30 minutes, is 31 metres high and was built using 7,400 tonnes of steel. Lille's Euro 2016 games Group C - Germany v Ukraine, 12 June (20:00 BST) Group B - Russia v Slovakia, 15 June (14:00 BST) Group A - Switzerland v France, 19 June (20:00 BST) Group E - Italy v Rep. Ireland, 22 June (20:00 BST) Last 16 (1st Grp C v 3rd Grp A, B or F), 26 June (17:00 BST) Quarter-final #2, 1 July (20:00 BST) And another thing... Lille claims to host Europe's biggest flea market - La Grande Braderie de Lille - which dates back to the 12th century.

Held in September, it attracts over two million visitors. Stade de Lyon, Lyon A site was chosen for Lyon's new home in 2007 but legal action from opponents of construction meant building on the 59,000-capacity Stade de Lyon only began in earnest in 2013. The venue opened on 9 January, when Lyon beat Troyes 4-1. The stadium is the centrepiece of a 50-hectare complex which includes a new training ground and hotels. Its most distinctive feature is its roof, which overhangs the stadium like a giant umbrella, providing shelter to fans immediately outside. First-time buyers It is the first major stadium privately owned by a French football club - the rest rent. Inspired by Arsenal's financial success at Emirates Stadium, Lyon expect the 405m euro (£294m) cost of their home to be returned via higher match-day revenue. Annual income is forecast to rise by between 40m and 50m euros (£29-36m). But in the meantime they have cut spending on players, becoming increasingly reliant on their strong academy.

Lyon's Euro 2016 games Group E - Belgium v Italy, 13 June (20:00 BST) Group C - Ukraine v Northern Ireland, 16 June (17:00 BST) Group A - Romania v Albania, 19 June (20:00 BST) Group F - Hungary v Portugal, 22 June (17:00 BST) Last 16 (1st Grp A v 3rd Grp C, D or E), 26 June (14:00 BST) Semi-final #1, 6 July (20:00 BST) And another thing... Lyon is the birthplace of cinema. The Lumiere brothers, Auguste and Louis, invented the cinematograph camera-projector there in 1894. That no doubt influenced the decision to christen Lyon's new home the Stade des Lumieres (which literally means the Stadium of Lights). But as naming rights will be sold to sponsors, at Euro 2016 it will be simply the Stade de Lyon.

Stade Velodrome, Marseille Built for the 1938 World Cup, Marseille's Stade Velodrome originally featured a cycling track, which was removed in 1985. Capacity was expanded to 67,000 for the 1998 World Cup by adopting distinctive round stands - three of which were uncovered, exposing supporters to the powerful mistral winds that blow in off the Mediterranean. The new Velodrome's undulating roof solves that problem while retaining the stadium's unique look. The end result is impressive - but costly. As the club did not contribute to the 267m euro (£193m) project, the heavily indebted city council requested a five-fold increase on Marseille's 1.5m euro annual rent. A compromise was eventually agreed in 2014.

Marseille's Euro 2016 games Group B - England v Russia, 11 June (20:00 BST) Group A - France v Albania, 15 June (20:00 BST) Group F - Iceland v Hungary, 18 June (17:00 BST) Group C - Ukraine v Poland, 21 June (17:00 BST) Quarter-final #1, 30 June (20:00 BST) Semi-final #2, 7 July (20:00 BST) And another thing... The stadium's north stand, the Virage Nord Patrice de Peretti, is named after a Marseille Ultra who watched the club's games shirtless whatever the weather - including a game in Berlin when the temperature was -12C. Stade de Nice, Nice Nice had been looking for a replacement for their antiquated stadium - the Stade du Ray - since the turn of the century. Plans for a new ground were abandoned in 2002 and 2006 but Euro 2016 gave the project impetus, and work began in 2011.

Located to the west of Nice, three miles from the city's airport, the 36,000-capacity Stade de Nice is a multi-event arena designed to host rugby, tennis, motorsport and concerts as well as football. The stadium also hosts France's national museum of sport. Usually known as the Allianz Riviera for sponsorship reasons, during Euro 2016 it will instead simply be the Stade de Nice. Nice's Euro 2016 games Group C - Poland v Northern Ireland, 12 June (17:00 BST) Group D - Spain v Turkey, 17 June (20:00 BST) Group E - Sweden v Belgium, 22 June (20:00 BST) Last 16 (2nd Grp B v 2nd Grp F), 27 June (20:00 BST) And another thing... The stadium's east stand is named after legendary Italian politician and general Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was born and raised in Nice and played a key role in the "Risorgimento" - the union of Italy's various states into a single political entity.

He was none too happy when his hometown was handed to the French as part of a pre-unification treaty. Parc des Princes, Paris At 48,000 seats, the Parc des Princes may be smaller than the other Euro 2016 venue in the French capital, the Stade de France, but it boasts more history. It staged the first European Cup final in 1956 - won by Real Madrid - and France's win against Spain in the Euro '84 final. Constructed in 1897, it was completely rebuilt in 1932 and again in 1972 - when the cycling track was removed and the stadium redesigned around an underground ring-road. Recently formed Paris St-Germain became tenants in 1974. PSG's Qatari owners bankrolled a 75m euro (£54m) facelift prior to Euro 2016 and the club want further expansion to seat 60,000 fans - but the proximity of the ring-road may prove problematic.

Parc des Princes' Euro 2016 games Group D - Turkey v Croatia, 12 June (14:00 BST) Group A - Romania v Switzerland, 15 June (17:00 BST) Group F - Portugal v Austria, 18 June (20:00 BST) Group C - Northern Ireland v Germany, 21 June (17:00 BST) Last 16 (1st Grp B v 3rd Grp A, C or D), 25 June (17:00 BST) And another thing... The stadium's name can be traced back to the 18th century, when the area and surrounding forest was used by French royalty for hunting. Stade de France, Paris The Stade de France was the only new stadium built for the 1998 World Cup, at which it hosted nine games - including France's 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final. It took over from the Parc des Princes as the home of France's national football and rugby union sides and has a distinctive elliptical roof, which appears to float above the stadium - despite weighing more than the Eiffel Tower.

It was the venue for November's friendly international between France and Germany, when three suicide bombers detonated devices outside the stadium. French sports minister Patrick Kanner praised stadium officials for their calm response to the explosions. Nonetheless, security will be enhanced at the Stade de France and all other Euro 2016 venues as a result of the Paris attacks. Stade de France's Euro 2016 games Group A - France v Romania, 10 June (20:00 BST) Group E - Rep. of Ireland v Sweden 13 June (17:00 BST) Group C - Germany v Poland, 16 June (20:00 BST) Group F - Iceland v Austria, 22 June (17:00 BST) Last 16 (1st Grp E v 2nd Grp D), 27 June (17:00 BST) Quarter-final #4, 3 July (20:00 BST) Final, 10 July (20:00 BST) And another thing...

It is the only stadium to have hosted both the football and rugby union World Cup finals, in 1998 and 2007 respectively. Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Etienne Saint-Etienne's Stade Geoffroy Guichard was initially selected only as a reserve venue (along with Toulouse) for Euro 2016 before organisers decided that both were needed to cope with the tournament's expanded format. Capacity has increased from 35,600 to 42,000, with seats installed in the four corners, although three of those sections are single-tiered. Welcome to Green Hell Saint-Etienne fans are renowned for the atmosphere generated at their home - which has been dubbed "Le Chaudron" (The Cauldron) and "L'enfer Vert" (Green Hell). The stadium is named after the businessman who purchased the site. It hosted matches at Euro '84 and the 1998 World Cup - where it staged England's last-16 exit to Argentina.

Saint-Etienne's Euro 2016 games Group F - Portugal v Iceland, 14 June (20:00 BST) Group D - Czech Republic v Croatia, 17 June (17:00 BST) Group B - Slovakia v England, 20 June (20:00 BST) Last 16 (2nd Grp A v 2nd Grp C), 25 June (14:00 BST) And another thing... With 10 top-flight titles, Saint-Etienne are the most successful side in French football - although their last championship came in 1981 (in Michel Platini's penultimate season with them). Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Toulouse is France's fourth biggest city but lies in the country's rugby heartland. The city's football side won their only honour - the French Cup - in 1957, but the rugby club boast 19 domestic championships and four European titles, both record hauls.

Mini-Wembley Built on an island in the river Garonne, the Stadium de Toulouse - sometimes referred to as the Stade Municipal - was built for the 1938 World Cup, and was initially described as "mini-Wembley" because of its resemblance to the London venue. It was not used at Euro '84 but was revamped for France '98, hosting six games - including England's loss to Romania. Capacity was cut by 2,000 prior to Euro 2016 in order to meet Uefa requirements for wider seats. Toulouse's Euro 2016 games Group D - Spain v Czech Republic, 13 June (14:00 BST) Group E - Italy v Sweden, 17 June (14:00 BST) Group B - Russia v Wales, 20 June (20:00 BST) Last 16 (1st Group F, 2nd Group E), 26 June (20:00 BST) And another thing... Toulouse has a proud history of aviation, with supersonic passenger jet Concorde making its first test flight there in 1969.

Share this page Soccer Cities: South of France - World Soccer World Soccer TAGS: Cannes Marseille Monaco Montpelier Nice Nimes Home to Marseille – the only French side to ever be crowned champions of Europe – the Stade Velodrome remains one of the continent’s most atmospheric arenas. And as winners of five consecutive Ligue 1 championships – before the fifth in 1993 was later withdrawn after a match-fixing scandal – the club have also fielded some of the country’s biggest names. Jean-Pierre Papin, Marcel Desailly and Didier Deschamps, along with foreign imports Chris Waddle, Rudi Voller and Klaus Allofs, all represented L’OM in the late 1980s and early 1990s as flamboyant president Bernard Tapie brought some footballing glitz and glamour to the south coast. But Marseille are not the region’s only top-flight outfit, with Montpellier – who went into the winter break second in the table this season – and Nice, who were the dominant team of the 1950s, also making their mark.

Seven-times league champions Monaco, who were UEFA Champions League runners-up in 2004, have fallen from grace recently and now languish at the foot of Ligue 2. Meanwhile, Nimes and Cannes have both been in the top tier but are currently even further down the league pyramid. Local Heroes Some of French football’s most famous names started their careers down on the south coast. Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira (both Cannes), Eric Cantona and Jean Tigana (Caillolais) and Laurent Blanc (Montpellier) all started down by the Mediterranean. In fact, Cantona must have really enjoyed playing there as he also played for Marseille, Montpellier (on loan) and Nimes before heading off to England in 1992. Diary dates Italy’s Internazionale visit the Stade Velodrome on February 22 for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash with Marseille. The stadium stages a more local affair when Montpellier visit on March 31, while L’OM travel to Nice a week earlier (March 24).

These days Monaco, Nimes and Cannes play in levels two, three and four respectively, with matches normally played on Fridays or Saturdays. Clubs Cannes: Stade Pierre de Coubertin This 12,000-capacity arena is a multi-sports venue on avenue Pierre Poesi, owned by the city and used by the football club since 1972. Tickets are a few euros for a place in the East or Presidential Stands, and even cheaper behind the goals in the North or South ends. It is close to Cannes-Mandelieu airport, in Cannes la Bocca, a few kilometres west of the main city of Cannes, one stop down the line on the Marseille-Ventimiglia service. Marseille: Stade Velodrome Capable of holding 67,000 and averaging attendances this season of 40,000-plus, the Stade Velodrome is the biggest club stadium in France for capacity and crowds. Built for the 1938 World Cup, the ground also hosted several games at the 1998 competition, having ceded its cycle track in the 1960s.

Along the main avenue from the nearest metro station, Rond Pont du Prado on line 2, are several bars filled with pre-match chatter. Monaco: Stade Louis II Named after a Prince of Monaco, this is a 1980s construction, by the site of the original ground opened in 1939. Also used for UEFA Super Cup matches and athletics, the stadium sits on top of a car park and holds 18,500 all-seated – more than half the principality’s population. It stands in the Fontevieille area of town, accessed via buses 5 and 6 behind the uncovered Cap d’Ail end. Montpelier: Stade de la Mosson Built in 1972, the stadium was a surprise choice as a 1998 World Cup venue and its capacity of 16,000 was doubled to host six games. It is set on the north-western outskirts of town, at the terminus of tramway route 1, 15 stops from Corum, at the very opposite end of town to the airport.

The ground comprises two, two-tiered ends, the Heidelberg and the Mosson, and multi-tiered seating in the Tribune d’Honneur and Tribune Presidentielle along each sideline, with the corners also filled in and used for seating. Tickets and souvenirs can be bought at the club’s downtown store at Odysseum. The club also has a restaurant nearby, the Bistro de Grammont, at the very opposite end of tramway route 1. Nice: Stade du Ray The modest, 19,000-capacity ground to the north of the city will remain Nice’s home until they move to the 35,000 Grand Stade Nice in the summer of 2013. Opened in 1927 and renovated four times since, it has its own stop on tramline 1. Gare Thiers, close to the main train station, is five stops away. Ticket and season-ticket holders can take advantage of the E2 return ticket on match days. Tickets and souvenirs are available at two club shops, at 5 rue Lepante and 44bis rue Arson.

Nimes: Stade des Costieres Opened in 1989 with an international between France and Holland, the stadium can hold nearly 30,000 spectators, with 18,000 seated. The stadium features East and West ends behind each goal, a South Stand under cover and a North Stand for press, VIPs and wealthier fans. The arena is set on avenue de la Bouvine, on the southern outskirts of town, near the main A9/E15 La Languedocienne road between Orange and Montpellier. By Peterjon Cresswell France coast past Iceland and into Euro 2016 semi-final | Football | The Guardian Share on Messenger Close This was France serving notice of their quality. A team who had rather huffed and puffed up to now, scraping through late in contests they had been expected to win at a canter, rediscovered their rhythm in the drizzle of Saint-Denis to cast Iceland from the tournament. Their opponents have provided one of the most refreshing and uplifting stories of these finals, the fans’ Viking chant still echoing defiantly around the arena long after the final whistle, but the natural order has been restored.

In the end the smallest nation ever to grace a major finals endured their fairytale being trampled underfoot by a true contender. Iceland’s beautiful journey finally comes to an end at Euro 2016 | Barney Ronay Read more Didier Deschamps could survey the scene with satisfaction from his dugout, substituting those players who had been flirting with suspension long before the end and even forgiving the odd pang of defensive frailty exposed after the interval. There is an acceptance those errors will have to be eradicated on Thursday. Germany await in Marseille, a tête-à-tête which usually brings the French out in a cold sweat when it comes to major finals. Memories drift to Seville in 1982, Guadalajara in 1986, even the Maracana in 2014, when Les Bleus have been defeated by foes whom they have not defeated in a competitive game for 58 years. “Confident? No,” said Olivier Giroud. “The Germans are world champions and favourites. But we want to write a new chapter in the history of French football.” On this evidence they will believe they can stretch Joachim Löw’s team at Stade Vélodrome.

It is the thrill of the attacking play which gives the French hope, combined with the belief that the blend of spiky aggression and purring quality offered by Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi can set them apart. They were irrepressible from the outset here, a team who have tended to rouse themselves late instead stirring early. By the interval the scoreline suggested a thrashing: not quite a trouncing to match that mustered by Germany against Brazil in Belo Horizonte two years ago but not far off. Iceland, so resilient and combative to this point, simply could not cope with the brutality of it all. There was so much to admire in the rewards taken up to the interval. Matuidi’s wonderfully arced pass, eased over Birkir Saevarsson and beyond Kari Arnason from the halfway line, had set the tone. Giroud trundled on to the delivery and belted through Hannes Halldorsson’s legs to force his team ahead.

Just before the interval it was Pogba sliding a pass from deep, Giroud confusing a shattered Icelandic back-line with a stepover, and there was Antoine Griezmann skipping away from Arnason and Ragnar Sigurdsson before lobbing the goalkeeper. The chip was cheeky, that of a striker thriving under the weight of expectation, and for a while at least the locals’ booming Hosanna drowned out the Iceland Huh. Arnason would not return for the second half. France will go all out for it against Germany, says Didier Deschamps Read more Pogba’s thumping header from Griezmann’s corner, the Juventus midfielder leaping above Jon Dadi Badvarsson and planting his effort beyond Saevarsson on the goal-line, was just as emphatic. France have seen only flashes of their young talisman to date and they will need him to be at his authoritative best in Marseille, but the power which has propelled his club side was in evidence as he stamped his authority on the tie.

Deschamps could also draw encouragement from the contribution of Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko, playing with an effervescence too often lacking last term on Tyneside, on the right and the continued brilliance of Dimitri Payet, flitting between flank and central playmaker with such menace. A beleaguered back-line never really came close to snuffing out his threat, the West Ham man a blur of movement, forever eking out space in which to wound wary opponents. He had been loitering on the edge of the area when Bacary Sagna crossed, Giroud knocked down and Griezmann laid off, Payet spitting away an accurate left-foot shot to register his third goal of the tournament. It seems remarkable now that this is a player who had felt forgotten while labouring at Marseille prior to that move to Upton Park. He has been France’s most consistent attacking player at these finals. France 5-2 Iceland: Euro 2016 quarter-final – as it happened Read more Iceland were dizzied by it all.

Their unity and commitment were never in doubt, their spirit retained as Kolbeinn Sigthorsson converted Gylfi Sigurdsson’s centre, but there was to be no recovery from those first-half deficiencies. “It was a mental thing,” said the departing joint-manager, Lars Lagerback. “We just didn’t use our brains or play our normal way. We weren’t sharp enough with our decision-making, were too passive and made silly mistakes.” They were vulnerable throughout. That much was clear when Giroud, leaping above Sverrir Ingason and Halldorsson to reach Payet’s free-kick, flicked in an easy fifth. Yet France may not have similar joy against Germany. Their defence yielded again, through Birkir Bjarnason’s far-post header, to suggest frailty, and Hugo Lloris also conjured an astonishing save from Ingason’s point-blank attempt. Samuel Umtiti, on international debut, was several times stretched positionally, which may give the suspended Adil Rami a way back in Marseille. At least Iceland could depart with the game’s last goal. They have been magnificent at these finals but it is the French who can sense real reward.

Question: Which French football team plays its home games art Stade Velodrome?
Answer: MARSEILLE