It is certainly not yet the atmosphere of the great evenings. In Rotherham, Sunday July 10, the English Euro 2022 is just getting started, with the first match at New York Stadium for the entry into the running of France and Italy. If the forecourt of the enclosure was still calm at five o’clock before kick-off, the event was on display in town, between the activities offered by UEFA, the concerts of the “fan party” and the blue-white-red and green-white-red flags in store windows. Although the crowd of supporters grew timidly, several French representatives were present to support Wendie Renard and her teammates.
Among them, Léonie and Lucile are experiencing their first big trip. Leaving Lille at 1 a.m., the two friends chained bus journeys to reach the north-east of England. “It was a long trip, very difficult, but we are happy to be heresmiles Leonie. We’re used to following them on TV, it’s going to be a little different tonight.”she adds.
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Marine and Gwenaëlle also came from Lille. “We left early this morning, took the Channel Tunnel, then the car here”, explains the first. The two young girls are not at their first attempt. “I wouldn’t say we’re regulars, but we’ve already made a few trips to France and abroad to support the girls”says Gwenaëlle, makeup on her cheeks.
The road was a little shorter for Mathieu, Camille and Charline. Expatriates in London, this father and his two daughters left home during the day. “It’s our first trip, we wanted to mark the occasion and have a really special match”explains Matthew. “For that, nothing better than a first match which promises to be intense in a major international competition.” Dressed in the two editions of the jersey released especially for this Euro, Camille and Charline are impatiently waiting to encourage Wendie Renard and Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, their favorite players, for whom they have prepared signs of support.
A few dozen “Irrésistibles Français”, who accompany the French teams on each of their outings, should also fill the 12,000 seats of the New York Stadium. “The organization was a bit complicated, but it was important to me to be there for this first match”explains Henri, one of the members present this evening. “The girls show beautiful things and deserve to be encouraged”, he assures. Corinne Deacon’s players must now launch their tournament in the most beautiful way.