The young French supporter sang the Marseillaise, flag flying in the wind, but she quickly gave up in a burst of laughter. There was nothing to do this Saturday for Les Bleues supporters to compete with Dutch fans around the New York Stadium in Rotherham. “We are going to be dismantled”, predicted Fabian, faithful of the Irresistibles Français, who remained in Paris.
Indeed, there was no match in this pre-quarter-final atmosphere. Hundreds of Dutch, as at every meeting of this Euro, marched in a long procession from the city center to the meeting place, following the slow-paced bus.
The big sounds follow one another and the dances and songs follow one another. Arrived at their destination, the spokesperson for the Oranje supporters takes the microphone to thank his faithful but also “the English and even the French who joined us! “He then gives an appointment” we hope so” Wednesday for the semi-final against Germany, in Milton Keynes.
Faced with this spectacle perfectly organized by the Federation of European champions in title, Anne-Sophie and Fabrice, who came from Reading, west of London after three hours by car, are admiring. “It’s great, but why didn’t we do it?” asks Anne-Sophie. Yet we have a president who likes football! »
Fabrice tells this anecdote: “When we arrived at the fan-zone, we said shit, we got it wrong, that’s the Dutch fan-zone! We asked several people where the French zone was! They told us: well it’s here…”
He takes a look at the hundred Dutch fans on the forecourt of the stadium and adds while chambering: “” So many people who are going to be disappointed tonight. It’s a pity for them. »
Nearly 350 French supporters were announced for this quarter-final in the stadium where Les Bleues will have played all their matches in the competition so far.
Note, as reported by L’Equipe, that a window of the Blue bus, located on the right side, was cracked following the throwing of a projectile by a young man during the journey between the hotel and the stadium. For security reasons it was removed entirely before the match.
