Saturday, November 30 at 18 hours, the supporters of the Blues will know what their holiday of the summer of 2020 can look like: the draw of the Euro will send the team of France, and therefore its supporters, in two cities of Europe – or almost …
The sporting stakes of this phase of hens being limited – only eight teams will be eliminated – LeMonde.fr helps you to determine the best draw for the supporters of the team of France with the help of some other criteria.
France is located in the second hat and two groups are already partially known. There are four possibilities for the Blues:
- Group A, in Rome and Baku, with Italy.
- Group D, London and Glasgow, with England.
- Group E, in Bilbao and Dublin, with Spain.
- Group F, in Munich and Budapest, with Germany.
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For the ecologists: group D, in London and Glasgow
Of course, if you really care about the planet, you will go to London then Glasgow by bike: it is done without difficulty. But the looser ones will be able to go side by side with Alphonse Areola in tribunes for an ecological cost almost nil: the train until London, then Glasgow, and a return by plane from Scotland correspond to 0,20 ton of CO2 issued (according to this carbon balance calculator).
Enough to deal with his conscience, which will be more complicated if the Blues fall in group A (1.28 tons of CO2 to get to Rome then Baku).
For the broke: the group F, in Munich and Budapest
Ronan Evain, director of Football Supporters Europe, has the advantage of having already passed through the eight cities that could welcome the Blues and their supporters, this summer. He has already done the accounts: "Munich is a nice destination and Budapest has the advantage of not being very expensive. It's easy enough to go back and forth without being dependent on the plane. " On the train, count on average five hours thirty-six for a Paris-Munich and sixteen hours and fifty-two for a Paris-Budapest, then about seven hours between Munich and Budapest.
As for the duos Rome-Baku or Bilbao-Dublin, do not think about it: " Flight prices will explode. "
There remains the British option, but the cost of living index and Eurostar fares do not lie: the Euro across the Channel will be expensive.
For gourmets: Group A, Rome and Baku
From a gastronomic point of view, Rome and Baku are surely the most exciting couple. At least for Rome, argues Andrea Petrini, influential food critic and globetrotter of the food: "In London, there are lots of interesting things, but the prices have never been very welcoming. Budapest, we expect a lot like other cities in Eastern Europe where young cooks emerge. It's only a matter of months, it's going to happen. But in Rome, there are lately a lot of popular tables, neo-bistrots, which emerge by exploiting a very strong tradition, the Jewish cuisine, the culture of offal, tripe. These new trattorias offer dishes scoundrels, not politically nor dietetically correct. "
OKAY. And Baku? "Then, I've never been there, I can not say anything. " We still think that between Russian, Armenian and Turkish influences, we should not be bored in the restaurants of the city. Those with homesickness will find even one of the most authentic Paris bistros in the capital of Azerbaijan.
For the off-stage atmosphere: Group E, in Bilbao and Dublin
As we do not know everyone in the world, Philippe Gloaguen, director of Guides du Routard, has been called in for the Bilbao-Dublin couple:
"Bilbao-Dublin is a great duo! Bilbao has the huge advantage of the seaside, it is a festive city, with the best tapas of Spain, the pintxos, and two favorite neighborhoods for the ir of tapeo (the tour of tapas bars): Casco Viejo and Ensanche. And there is obviously the Guggenheim and the Mercado de la Ribera.
Dublin is solidarity, sharing pints in the oldest pubs, some 800 years old. I recommend the Swan Bar, headquarters of the Republican insurgents in 1916, or the Underdog, one of the pubs behind the resurgence of craft beers. And the advantage of these two cities is that you can do everything on foot. After a few drinks, walking home is better. "
For the atmosphere in the stadium: Group D, London and Glasgow
Rome and Baku must be dismissed from the outset for their stands separated from the field by an athletics track. Be wary of Bilbao and Dublin, seductive a priori, but with two possible caveats: what will be the atmosphere of San Mamés for the Spanish national team? Is not the Aviva Stadium in Dublin primarily a rugby and concert stadium for Phil Collins?
There remain London and Glasgow, the myths that constitute Wembley and Hampden Park, and Munich and Budapest, two more modern stadiums, the Allianz Arena and the Ferenc-Puskas stadium, built for the occasion.
Of course, Hungary's chances of qualifying seem to be higher than those of Scotland, which will have a hard time getting out of a barrage against the winner of the Norway-Serbia shock.
But, in the light of recent experience, the risk of racist shouts being launched from the Ferenc-Puskas stands is not slim; we will therefore prefer the British option, safer.
It offers another advantage, emphasizes Ronan Evain, Football Supporters Europe: "Coaching in England and Scotland is probably the best thing in Europe for foreign fans. It gives way to a lot of freedom and little risk in terms of police or other violence. On the other hand, the Hungarian federation is not very accustomed to hosting major sports competitions. "
For the nostalgic: group E, with Spain
Only Spain have faced France more than three times in the Euro: in the nine final stages in which the French have participated, the two teams have opposed four times (in 1984, 1996, 2000 and 2012). Result: only one defeat, but two victories for the Blues, including the one that allowed the team of France to snatch his first international title, in 1984, on a ball of Luis Arconada.
Add Portugal – three clashes – to take the revenge of Euro 2016 and Romania – three confrontations as well – and French fans will take a broth of nostalgia during the fifteen days of the group stage.
Of course, you do not have to agree, and it's like everything else: it is not us who decide but the old glories that will turn the balls on Saturday in Bucharest.
