Bordeaux-Bègles: Champions Cup Victory Breakthrough
The Union Bordeaux-Bègles has finally been rewarded for its persistence, achieving its first major title since its establishment in 2006. Despite a history filled with near-misses, the Girondin club leaped into a new realm—European champions—by triumphing over Northampton with a score of 28-20 in the Champions Cup final held in Cardiff on May 24, 2025.
Northampton-Ubb: Bordeaux-Bègles beats the saints and wins the first European cup in its history
Highly favored and largely dominant throughout the match, the squad under coach Yannick Bru did create moments of stress for their supporters gathered in the Millennium Stadium and across Bordeaux’s Place des Quinconces . The tension stemmed from a shaky initial period, initiated and capped by two tries from Alex Coles , the English second-row. Fortunately for UBB, Damian Penaud countered with a spectacular double of his own.
The first half ended closely contested at 20-20 , a tie that continued into the second half. Nevertheless, the Bordeaux team managed to tighten their defense considerably, preventing any further points from scoring. They finally created a gap thanks to a definitive try by Cyril Cazeaux , marking the fifth consecutive year France retained the European Cup , following victories by Stade Toulousain and Stade Rochelais .
Key Highlights of the Match
One notable player was Damian Penaud , whose participation was uncertain due to an ankle injury. Yet he not only played but excelled, achieving his double and setting a record of 14 tries in the competition. Additionally, he left Cardiff with the title of Best Player of the tournament.
Bordeaux becomes passionate about rugby: “If the UBB wins, it will be partying for two days.”
The match itself had several pivotal moments. For example, in the second minute, after the kickoff, Northampton quickly earned a penalty, which they converted into their first try thanks to Alex Coles . Just moments later, the Girondins leveled the score through Penaud as his speed and agility came into play.
Later, Matthieu Jalibert showcased his skills, giving a brilliant pass to Adam Coleman to secure another try for Bordeaux. Unfortunately for the Girondins, just before the halftime whistle, Northampton snatched a try to equalize the score, raising tension for a close second half.
In the second half, Cyril Cazeaux landed the decisive try, rewarding the team for their determination and collective effort during a taxing game.
Northampton – Union Bordeaux-Bègles: the saints, again dominant, draw English rugby upwards.
- Quote of the Match: “We didn’t make it easy,” stated UBB captain Jefferson Poirot after the victory.
- Match Rating: B
The Bordeaux coach admitted that his team did not play their best match of the season. Nevertheless, they managed to win—a testament to their resilience. Thus, a solid “B” rating is awarded in our evaluation system, which ranges from “A” to “E.”
