From bankruptcy to 'people's team' - Bordeaux's rise

From bankruptcy to 'people's team' - Bordeaux's riseImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Thousands of Bordeaux Begles supporters packed the streets during their parade of the Investec Champions Cup trophy last yearByAlastair TelferBBC Sport journalistPublished7 minutes agoSaturday, 21 May 2011: Leinster produce the greatest comeback in European Cup final history to defeat Northampton Saints in Cardiff.Sunday, 22 May 2011: Bordeaux Begles defeat Albi 21-14 to win promotion to France's Top 14.Less than 24 hours separated history-defining games for Saturday's Investec Champions Cup finalists.Leinster boss Leo Cullen captained his home province to back-to-back Heineken Cups - now known as the Champions Cup - in 2011 and 2012, while Bordeaux won promotion and then finished eighth in France's top flight.Roll on 14 years and Bordeaux are favourites for the final, looking to emulate the Irish province by retaining the Champions Cup.It has been a remarkable rise for the French club that formed only in 2006 after the merger of Pro D2 side Stade Bordelais and Club Athletique Bordeaux Begles Gironde who, because of a pool-stage draw with Cardiff, agonisingly missed out on a semi-final place in the inaugural Heineken Cup in 1995-96.After 90 years in France's top flight, financial struggles meant CA Bordeaux Begles Gironde were relegated to the third tier in 2003, before the club declared bankruptcy a year later.Two years on, Union Stade Bordelais-Club Athletique Bordeaux-Begles Gironde was formed after the two Bordeaux-based clubs joined forces.That mouthful was shortened to Union Bordeaux Begles (UBB) in 2008 - and their side now contains France stars Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Damian Penaud and Matthieu Jalibert.Bordeaux v LeinsterChampions Cup finalSaturday, 23 May at 14:45 BSTListen on SoundsListen on BBC Sounds with live text on BBC Sport app & website'Bordeaux became the people's team'Australian back Blair Connor, a...