The Blues welcomed with fanfare at their base camp

The French team arrived in Germany, at its base camp in the suburbs of Paderborn. Blues welcomed by around a hundred fans.

The small town of Bad Lippspringe, 15,000 inhabitants, located in the suburbs of Paderborn, left its usual tranquility for a few minutes. It is lunch time, the Polizei siren announces that the French team bus is arriving at its base camp, in front of around a hundred supporters. Flags of the French team, portraits of players on buildings, signs in honor of Kylian Mbappé, the fans – most of them German – are rejoicing at the arrival of the Blues.

“It’s great to see them here“, exclaims Dominik, a Blues jersey on his back and another in his hands to have it signed. He drove two hours to see his idols. “I never expected Mbappé and the others to be in Paderborn. I have been a fan of the Blues since I was little. My father is Moroccan and we lived in Marseille for a year. I of course like Mbappé, but also Saliba, who played for OM.“

Jacqueline, a Francophile, accompanied her son. “I’m not yet very clear on the names of the players, I haven’t worked on the subject yet“, she explains, smiling. “But I have a strong link with France, I learned the language at school, I passed the baccalaureate. I am delighted that the Blues are in residence with us.”

Gathered in dozens, the supporters present were only able to see the players through a hedge overlooking the entrance to the hotel. “It’s better than nothing”, philosopher Dominik. Jansen, for his part, is perched on the shoulders of one of his friends who jostles with the crowd, he lists the names of the players. “Pavard, Coman, Démbélé!” A clamor rings out when Kylian Mbappé appears. “He’s clearly the best player in the world”enthuses Thomas.

“I’m a Bayern fan, so I obviously know Dayot Upamecano or Kingsley Coman, it’s funny to know them hereadds Franck. It’s a very quiet city, we have sometimes had big German clubs here like Hamburg, Dortmund or Bayern, but never a national team of the caliber of France.“

After a few hand signals, the blue group went to lunch before going to practice at the Home Deluxe Arena, Paderborn’s stadium. And Bad Lippspringe to regain its tranquility.