SM Caen

Stade Malherbe Caen Calvados Basse-Normandie, better known as Stade Malherbe Caen, is a French football club from the city of Caen in Lower Normandy. The club was founded on 17 November 1913 following the merger of Club Malherbe Caennais and Club Sportif Caennais. It currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of national football.

The club takes its name from the Lycée Malherbe, an institution named after François de Malherbe (1555–1628), a poet, critic and translator who was a native of Caen.

For most of its history, SM Caen remained one of the most important amateur clubs in France, playing at the Stade de Venoix from its foundation. The 1980s and early 1990s saw the rise of Stade Malherbe in the French football hierarchy. In 1985, Stade Malherbe adopted professional status. Three seasons later, it was promoted to the first division for the first time. In 1992, several months after narrowly avoiding bankruptcy, the club finished fifth in Division 1 and qualified for the UEFA Cup. In 1993, the club moved to the modern Stade Michel d'Ornano, but was relegated two years later. The 2000s brought some sporting success, which allowed it to play several seasons in Ligue 1 and to reach the League Cup final in 2005.

SM Caen's main rivalry is with Le Havre AC, with whom it contests Le Derby Normand (the “Norman derby”). Another major rivalry is the one it holds with RC Lens, which has often seen clashes between supporters and police over the last decade. The club's traditional colours are blue and red.