Festive day for fans at home of St-Étienne
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
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On 28 June, 3,800 squares of Stade Geoffroy Guichard turf were snapped up by fans keen to collect a priceless souvenir as the pitch is relaid as part of UEFA EURO 2016 preparations.
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The Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne opened its doors to fans on Saturday, handing out 3,800 free squares of the stadium's turf.
Young and old alike turned up in droves and were delighted to be able to take home a priceless souvenir from their favourite ground. Not only that, but the visitors to AS Saint-Étienne enjoyed a festive day, getting involved in a series of games and quizzes, with yet more gifts handed to lucky winners.
The participants were also offered the opportunity to have their photo taken next to a giant grass cut-out of the date '2016', as the city counts down to the start of UEFA EURO 2016.
Saint-Etienne is one of the ten host cities for the 2016 UEFA European Championship, with the Stade Geoffroy Guichard set to stage three group phase matches – on 14, 17 and 19 June 2016 – as well as a round of 16 encounter on 25 June, which would feature France if Les Bleus were to finish second in their group.