Biarritz Olympique, the BO
Our page Biarritz Olympique tells the story of the club from the Basque coast, which was founded in 1913 from the merger of two clubs in the city: its pre-war Brennus, the golden age of the 2000s with three titles in five years, its two European Cup finals, Serge Blanco, the Aguiléra sports park, and the rivalry with Bayonne.
The red and white of the Basque coast.
1913, the merger of two Biarritz clubs
The Biarritz Olympique was born in April 1913 from the merger of Biarritz Stade and Biarritz Sporting Club, a union wanted by the municipality to provide the seaside resort with a great club. It adopted red and white. Beaten in the final in 1934 by their Bayonne neighbours, they took revenge in 1935 by winning their first Bouclier de Brennus against Perpignan, followed by a second title in 1939, won six to nil. The club also claimed the Challenge Yves-du-Manoir in 1937 and became one of the strongholds of pre-war rugby.
The other clubs
The Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs are also represented:
- Aviron Bayonnais.
- Stade Toulousain.
- Union Bordeaux bègles.
- Castres Olympique.
- Stade Français Paris.
- RC Toulon.
All clubs are gathered on the Top 14 and Pro D2 page.
Three Brennus in five years and two European finals
At the turn of the 2000s, the BO, renamed Biarritz Olympique Pays basque in 1998, experienced its golden age. Champion of France in 2002 against Agen after extra time, it repeated the feat in 2005 against Stade Français, again after extra time, and then in 2006 against Toulouse. It competed in two European Cup finals, narrowly losing in 2006 to Munster and in 2010 to Toulouse, before winning the Challenge European in 2012. Dimitri Yachvili, Imanol Harinordoquy and Nicolas Brusque then wore the red and white jersey.
Aguiléra, Anoeta and the Basque derby
The club plays at the Aguiléra sports park, just minutes from the Ocean, in an atmosphere where Basque songs and bands mix. For its big European matches, the BO has crossed the border several times to play at Anoeta, the stadium in San Sebastián, in front of a crowd from both sides of the Bidassoa. The derby against Aviron Bayonnais, a nearby club just a few kilometres away, remains the most heated match on the coast: the two cities have been competing for the supremacy of Basque rugby since their final in 1934.
Great deals
Good deals can also be found in the great deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals feature the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a steady pattern: the Black Friday in late autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back to school.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Serge Blanco?
Born in Caracas in 1958, Serge Blanco joined the BO in 1975 and has made ninety-three appearances for the French national team. His try in the semi-final of the 1987 World Cup against Australia is legendary, and he later served as club president.
Who is Imanol Harinordoquy?
A Basque flanker and great jumper in the line-out, Imanol Harinordoquy was one of the key figures in the BO's great era. A mainstay of the French national team, he notably participated in the Grand Slam of 2004.
What was the Challenge Yves-du-Manoir?
Created in 1931, this competition paid tribute to Yves du Manoir, a French international who died in a plane crash in 1928. Long considered the second national competition, it disappeared in the early 2000s.
What does the acronym BOPB stand for?
BOPB stands for Biarritz Olympique Pays basque, the official name of the club since the late 1990s. Supporters still simply call it the BO, a nickname used for generations.
Has Biarritz Olympique lost any championship finals?
Yes: the BO lost the final in 1934 against Bayonne, the one in 1938 against Perpignan, and the one in 1992 against Toulon. These defeats make their victories in 1935, 1939, and the 2000s even more valuable.
