Thursday, October 28, 2010
Midweek Madness - The Stade de France pre-match festivities
It's not technically the middle of the week, but Midweek Madness describes this best as we look back at what happened before the Stade Francais vs Toulon game at Stade de France. It included some overweight guys pushing a float, a caged leopard, and a bare-chested girl who clearly wasn't too bothered by the cold.
Over the years Stade Francais have pushed the envelope in terms of marketing their brand in Paris.
The hot pink colour of their jerseys has amused macho traditionalists and created a whole new culture within the club, once which of course includes a calendar that comes out each year featuring their semi naked rugby players.
The jerseys have become more shocking as each season comes round and while their eccentric mix of art and kitsch leaves many giggling, its all part of the brilliance of club president Max Guazzini as he manages to bring in the crowds and get people talking.
The latest jersey is a collectors piece and features leopard prints, on pink of course, which was the reason behind the feline creature appearing as part of Saturdays extravagant show.
Close to 70 000 people turned out in horrific weather in the French capital to be part of the event as the build up to the game is treated as an integral part of the days viewing.
It started with a few easy-on-the-eye dancing girls but soon got weird as a group of scantily clad giants walked out dragging a massive float. When it was opened, it revealed two beautiful sights, one of which was staring out from a cage and the other holding a golden rugby ball.
If youve read this far without hitting play.. impressive. What else is impressive is that the TV crews viewed this as art and rather than switch away from what was a fantastic spectacle, they showed it in its entirety. Fair to say its probably the weirdest start to a match we've seen, besides the bees recently, but its also a massive marketing success.
Time: 04:25
Posted at 3:36 pm | 77 comments
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Posted in See it to Believe it
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Viewing 77 comments
Anonymous October 28, 2010 2:26 pm
What the hell has that got to do with rugby..
On another note, nice boob
On another note, nice boob
BigPoppy October 28, 2010 2:37 pm
Great Stuff. I love the ridiculousness of it!
OaksWinger October 28, 2010 2:38 pm
WTF!
I like how the camera zoom in on the boob not the golden ball!! lmao.
I like how the camera zoom in on the boob not the golden ball!! lmao.
Anonymous October 28, 2010 2:58 pm
"What the hell has it got to do with rugby?"
What have wardances got to do with rugby? what have anthems got to do with rugby?
Who Knows?!
What have wardances got to do with rugby? what have anthems got to do with rugby?
Who Knows?!
Anonymous October 28, 2010 3:06 pm
Come on folks, wake up ! It's been like this for years now at the Stade Franais !! Stunts, pink elephants, falcons, the grease musical, Joan of Arc burning a witch, giant karaoke, ... to name but a few. All this is ridiculous of course and often goes too far, but Max Guazzini manages to gather a 70 000 + crowd each time in a city which didn't give a f... about rugby 15 years ago !!
Just to put things in perspective. Yet, as a Paris fan, it's sometimes hard to be proud of that ... and boy you have to win after such a show !
Just to put things in perspective. Yet, as a Paris fan, it's sometimes hard to be proud of that ... and boy you have to win after such a show !
edbok October 28, 2010 3:10 pm
Brilliant. Well played, Stade.
Janet Jackson just got put in the corner.
Janet Jackson just got put in the corner.
NiWiTa October 28, 2010 3:33 pm
WTF! I must say well done on the knocker but whole thing left me rather bemused - probably the same way Leopard felt........
All a bit like a David Lynch/Twin Peaks episode for me although I guess for all the crowd just a bit of a laugh for those there.
All a bit like a David Lynch/Twin Peaks episode for me although I guess for all the crowd just a bit of a laugh for those there.
Anonymous October 28, 2010 3:44 pm
The ceremony was a holiday to show link between Stade franais and Argentina. Many Argentinians players played and are playing for Paris. That's why we saw a sun, a leopard, (emblme of the "Pumas"(1))and that the Paris' jerseys were blotchy as leopards...
I'm a Stade toulousain fan and everybody real fans of rugby in France thinks these ceremonies of Guazini (the president of the Stade franais)are more and more ridiculous. Especially that the bigger part of people who comes at Stade de France aren't big experts of rugby. They come to see a show ant because to go to see a match of rugby is a fashion. (In 5 euros the place it is sure that there will have a lot of people!)
(1) The real emblem of Argentina rugby is a leopard but one day a journalist has made a mistake: he said "the Pumas". That why today we say pumas...
I'm a Stade toulousain fan and everybody real fans of rugby in France thinks these ceremonies of Guazini (the president of the Stade franais)are more and more ridiculous. Especially that the bigger part of people who comes at Stade de France aren't big experts of rugby. They come to see a show ant because to go to see a match of rugby is a fashion. (In 5 euros the place it is sure that there will have a lot of people!)
(1) The real emblem of Argentina rugby is a leopard but one day a journalist has made a mistake: he said "the Pumas". That why today we say pumas...
Anonymous October 28, 2010 3:59 pm
I was there!!
turned up at the point where this video starts.
Definitely was not complaining.
The atmosphere there was brilliant. especially as before the match I was thinking more on the linesof the sale leinster heineken cup match at wembley attendance wise. (about half capacity)
and a quality match followed.
all in all a good day out!
turned up at the point where this video starts.
Definitely was not complaining.
The atmosphere there was brilliant. especially as before the match I was thinking more on the linesof the sale leinster heineken cup match at wembley attendance wise. (about half capacity)
and a quality match followed.
all in all a good day out!
Anonymous October 28, 2010 4:23 pm
I hope everyone understand that it's not supposed to be taken seriously, this is just a bit of absurd humour.
Anonymous October 28, 2010 4:31 pm
'Flinto said...
Superb'
Stop drooling over the scantily clad muscle men pulling the float.
Superb'
Stop drooling over the scantily clad muscle men pulling the float.
Another view October 28, 2010 4:35 pm
Did anyone else find it ironic (almost to the point of offensiveness) that to celebrate and symbolize Argentinian independence (freedome, per se) they rolled out a caged leopard/"puma": the emblem of free Argentina decidedly NOT free. Subordinate, some might say, to the woman with the golden... ummm... orb(s). Overall message: Argentina might be politically free, but can still be contained, dominated by a French ballcarrier and be pushed around at will by 8 burly French dudes. Perhaps if Los Pumas play a match on Bastille Day they will have a scantily clad Argentinian beauty toss BBQ chicken into the crowd.
Flooz October 28, 2010 4:35 pm
Lol, well Guazzini, the president of Stade Franais will never stop to surprise us.
SF cremony are always kitsh, vulgar for certains..
even if it's not my cup of tea, i prefer laughing about that than saying bullshits such like "rugby doesn't deserve these excentricity"
After all it's an hommage to argentinan players of SF, a very shaped one ;)
ps: i don't care about the show, but i would prefer the past jerseys of Stade Franais, just keep the pink for the show Max!
SF cremony are always kitsh, vulgar for certains..
even if it's not my cup of tea, i prefer laughing about that than saying bullshits such like "rugby doesn't deserve these excentricity"
After all it's an hommage to argentinan players of SF, a very shaped one ;)
ps: i don't care about the show, but i would prefer the past jerseys of Stade Franais, just keep the pink for the show Max!
BigBucks October 28, 2010 4:49 pm
The event organiser was clearly high when he drew this one up
Anonymous October 28, 2010 4:50 pm
Only three words are eloquent enough to describe this,
For Fuck Sake.
or
Nice tit tho.
For Fuck Sake.
or
Nice tit tho.
Anonymous October 28, 2010 5:19 pm
"What have wardances got to do with rugby? what have anthems got to do with rugby? "
Since when do club matches have anthems or war dances?
Besides, at international matches, the players are representing their countries, hence the anthem of their country being played and the traditional war dance of their country being performed.
I don't know what the hell an iceberg on wheels, a golden egg, 4 fat man, a topless woman, burlesque dancers and a leopard have to do with Stade Francais.
Since when do club matches have anthems or war dances?
Besides, at international matches, the players are representing their countries, hence the anthem of their country being played and the traditional war dance of their country being performed.
I don't know what the hell an iceberg on wheels, a golden egg, 4 fat man, a topless woman, burlesque dancers and a leopard have to do with Stade Francais.
Anonymous October 28, 2010 5:27 pm
sometimes I just really love Stade Francais. Obviously I don't want stuff like this to become a trend all over rugby, but you can't deny that this club provides a healthy dose of flavor and eccentricity to the game. Good on em for knowing how to put on a show I say.
Anonymous October 28, 2010 5:30 pm
the english Top 14 commentators certainly are an excitable bunch
Ian October 28, 2010 5:42 pm
Did Anyone notice that the whole exercise was to deliver the match ball...which was gold and she then walked off with!!
Flipje October 28, 2010 6:10 pm
I am not a huge fan of the Stade Francais but you have to recognise that Guazzini is a good entertainer.
The game itself was quite poor but at least he was able to get the Stade de France sold out.
I am curious how the Argentinian will take the message ;-) but Stade Francais had always a strong relation with the Pumas players.
Love the cameramen but such a pity the game was not broadcasted on Canal + as we could have enjoy some nice slow motion replay .....
The game itself was quite poor but at least he was able to get the Stade de France sold out.
I am curious how the Argentinian will take the message ;-) but Stade Francais had always a strong relation with the Pumas players.
Love the cameramen but such a pity the game was not broadcasted on Canal + as we could have enjoy some nice slow motion replay .....
4LC4TR4Z October 28, 2010 6:10 pm
I don't care what it had to do with rugby..
I don't care about the (pathetic) quality of the show...
But I vote for MORE BOOBS on the french TV in the afternoon.
:-D
I don't care about the (pathetic) quality of the show...
But I vote for MORE BOOBS on the french TV in the afternoon.
:-D
Luxi October 28, 2010 7:00 pm
@ Flipje, the match was broadcast on canal+, its just that this is eurosport uk 's footage
if you digg out the french footage, we'll all appreciate the slo-mo replays xD
i love the excentricity, audacity and imagination of stade francais
nice tit
if you digg out the french footage, we'll all appreciate the slo-mo replays xD
i love the excentricity, audacity and imagination of stade francais
nice tit
shane October 28, 2010 7:02 pm
amzing honestly. nearly pissed myself laughing. i would ride her though.
Laz October 28, 2010 7:16 pm
I'm sure she'll be pleased to hear that, Shane.
Very funny stuff!
Very funny stuff!
Canadian content October 28, 2010 8:18 pm
Fantastic stuff, did you hear the crowd when the players emerged, they roared! I am sure the build up had something to do with it, even if it was just an expression of frustration by the fans.
All a little too cirque de soleil for me, but he gets the crowds out and that can't be bad for rugby.
A chance for anatomical lessons for the kids too!
All a little too cirque de soleil for me, but he gets the crowds out and that can't be bad for rugby.
A chance for anatomical lessons for the kids too!
JLH October 28, 2010 9:26 pm
"If youve read this far without hitting play, Im impressed."
YES RD I made it! XD
Thanks for the video.
YES RD I made it! XD
Thanks for the video.
Anonymous October 28, 2010 9:45 pm
guess i will talk to my club-management wether they can come up with something like this for this saturday :D
Anonymous October 28, 2010 9:55 pm
yeah anon, check if your sister is free saturday arvo.
Jono October 28, 2010 10:07 pm
Holy shit...
Really?
I mean, I love boobs and all that, but really??
Really?
I mean, I love boobs and all that, but really??
cheis October 28, 2010 10:46 pm
think of it whatever you want..
but...
70.000 in the stands!!!!!!!!!
even in crap weather!!
but...
70.000 in the stands!!!!!!!!!
even in crap weather!!
Nicko October 28, 2010 11:31 pm
That was very bizarre, but very entertaining. Good work Stade lol
Gman October 28, 2010 11:57 pm
Another view, I appreciate your argument but I am glad the Puma was in a cage.
On the other hand I would like the big dudes chained... Do you reckon someone took too much acid?
I wonder what's next...
On the other hand I would like the big dudes chained... Do you reckon someone took too much acid?
I wonder what's next...
Alexander October 29, 2010 12:31 am
Horrendous.....commentary! Interesting spectacle though.....did enjoy the single boob!!
Anonymous October 29, 2010 12:58 am
Congratulations, this has got to be the first time I see a boob on youtube
Anonymous October 29, 2010 1:02 am
Part of me would love to see my local sunday league side do this, the other part is unsure whether they will find a boob of such... quality?
Juggernauter October 29, 2010 1:13 am
Hahaha Guazzini you little pussy! I'm glad he let one girl though. That was some magnificent boob.
Anyway, anything that draws croeds to the stands will be welcomed. Even if it's this Lewis Carrolesque spectacle.
BTW, I wonder what the leopard was thinking. Poor guy.
Cheers
Anyway, anything that draws croeds to the stands will be welcomed. Even if it's this Lewis Carrolesque spectacle.
BTW, I wonder what the leopard was thinking. Poor guy.
Cheers
Tom October 29, 2010 1:21 am
Fair play to them if it gets people to come to the game I guess.
This would only work in a place like Paris though.
Oh, and nice boob. Again, you'd only get away with that in a place like Paris, any anglo countries would get all puritan and judgemental about it.
This would only work in a place like Paris though.
Oh, and nice boob. Again, you'd only get away with that in a place like Paris, any anglo countries would get all puritan and judgemental about it.
Timbo October 29, 2010 2:22 am
70,000 in the stands.
You know the next time they have a spectical like that the blokes will be pouring into the stadium with binoculars at the ready.
What is fantastic is none of the big fellas dragging the float told the blonde that she was exposed. Sporting guys!
Glad none of them had a wardrobe malfunction tho.
You know the next time they have a spectical like that the blokes will be pouring into the stadium with binoculars at the ready.
What is fantastic is none of the big fellas dragging the float told the blonde that she was exposed. Sporting guys!
Glad none of them had a wardrobe malfunction tho.
Anonymous October 29, 2010 2:30 am
I'll be honest...watching a single jostling boob, albeit perky, is kinda weird.
Anonymous October 29, 2010 6:27 am
This is NOT SAFE FOR WORK. Rugbydump, ha more like smut dump.
wonder bra October 29, 2010 8:08 am
Ian said...
Did Anyone notice that the whole exercise was to deliver the match ball...which was gold and she then walked off with!!
i bet there were enough volunters to go and get it back though about 60,000 probably
please miss can i have my ball back by the way nice boob
Did Anyone notice that the whole exercise was to deliver the match ball...which was gold and she then walked off with!!
i bet there were enough volunters to go and get it back though about 60,000 probably
please miss can i have my ball back by the way nice boob
H October 29, 2010 9:02 am
Its like the rugby version of euro-trash haha! great boob tho ;)
Anonymous October 29, 2010 9:17 am
boobs and rugby!!! two of my favourite things into one!
the french are on to something!
the french are on to something!
Anonymous October 29, 2010 11:48 am
cheis said...
think of it whatever you want..
but...
70.000 in the stands!!!!!!!!!
even in crap weather!!
Really!!! think any English support has to be jealous of that. Would go as far as not minding all the show before the game for crowds that size.
think of it whatever you want..
but...
70.000 in the stands!!!!!!!!!
even in crap weather!!
Really!!! think any English support has to be jealous of that. Would go as far as not minding all the show before the game for crowds that size.
Anonymous October 29, 2010 1:02 pm
It's worth mentioning to the prudes and leering posters that the French have a pretty relaxed attitude to topless women.
queenslanderPRIDE October 29, 2010 8:46 pm
YUCK!!! how can they show this on TV? disgustign
Anonymous October 30, 2010 6:32 am
As Quezada sayed, the car with those fat guys seems to be conmemorative for the 200 years of argentine's independence day, for that the car get that white shit with the sun over, when it open apears a "puma" ;)
when it happend Gonzalo sayed "Should i be proud of thist?" Aahahaha funny frenchies
when it happend Gonzalo sayed "Should i be proud of thist?" Aahahaha funny frenchies
Anonymous October 30, 2010 10:54 am
lol...gotta luv the French....they know how to throw a party
Anonymous November 01, 2010 3:01 pm
who would have tought you'ld get a boner watching rugby!?
Anonymous November 01, 2010 10:33 pm
Did someone just said the emblem of Argentina is a leopard? I dont think thats correct as leopards live in africa. What you are thinking of is a Jaguar, as they live in south america... that animal in the cage was a jaguar.
cheyanqui November 02, 2010 4:42 pm
what was the free giveaway at the gate for the first 5,000 spectators...
A vial of Amyl Nitrite?
A vial of Amyl Nitrite?
Greiffel December 06, 2010 12:09 pm
On the forum actually. Here you go
http://forum.rugbydump.com/showthread.php?t=7391&highlight=stade+francais+show
http://forum.rugbydump.com/showthread.php?t=7391&highlight=stade+francais+show
Anonymous December 29, 2010 2:17 am
It has a lot to do with rugby you fools. Im argentinan and that leopard represents de symbol of the rugby here. Next time you speak let you have somes balls mdf
Kel September 21, 2011 11:51 pm
I have put attennding a match at Stade Francais on my bucket list.Merci!
Munster1923 May 15, 2013 7:30 pm
Spijzeken May 15, 2013 8:43 pm
Haha hilarious! Is this girl famous in france? What is here name?
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