A line had already formed in front of the Verdun Auditorium more than an hour before the first game of the Alliance of Montreal, Sunday afternoon.
Posted at 9:16 p.m.
“I knew there was interest when I was talking to people, but I didn’t know how keen they were to respond. We are packed, but more than packed today. I say to myself: the interest was real, they are there. We’re just going to wish each other success,” suggested Alliance vice-president Annie Larouche in an interview with The Press before the match.
In recent weeks, fans have already been able to purchase team jerseys via the online store. Several of them could be seen through the crowd.
“Apparently there are some nice queues [à la boutique] at the top. There is a lot of people ! I’ll pinch myself, or maybe not, because I don’t want to wake up if it’s not true! It feels good, ”said Larouche, the biggest smile on his face.
For her, as for general manager Joel Anthony, Sunday was the culmination of long months of effort to build the team. Two hundred and fourteen days have passed since October 27, the day the Alliance officially came into being.
“To see that, the players, the coaches and now the fans… It’s a sign that we have really accomplished something great, has rightly argued Anthony. We worked so hard for months and months to see this. It feels good. It’s satisfying. »
“It motivates me! »
Samuel Paulhus and Marco Dostie, two young men who have just finished their college studies, traveled from Drummondville to Montreal to attend this historic first meeting.
“I have followed the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) since it was created. On my Facebook, I don’t share anything, but I shared everything that happened in Montreal, all the signatures! proudly launches Samuel Paulhus, who agreed with his boss to have time off for the game.
“We all hope to have an NBA team, but we have to start somewhere, I believe, he adds. It may not be from the NBA, but it’s a super nice caliber nonetheless. Guys get paid, deserve their pay, [ont joué] all over Europe. »
A little further in the stands, Benoit Meloche takes a selfie with his 14-year-old son, Clément Bigras. The latter is used to following the Toronto Raptors, but “there, it’s closer, we’ll be able to see the games,” he says with a smile.
The young man is part of the sport-study basketball program at his high school. He hopes to get “as far as possible and play pro” one of these days.
“It gives more hope because it’s a team close to home,” he recalls. It motivates me! »