Le Figaro Nantes
“
ON THE WAY TO THE FINAL 2-
”: at Tabarnak, a bar in downtown Nantes, it is impossible to miss the yellow and green scarf, in the colors of FC Nantes, hanging from the ceiling.
The Toulouse team logo is also drawn there, but smaller.
Saturday, at 9 p.m., the two cities will face each other for the French Football Cup.
Already last year, the Canaries had found themselves in the final and had, for the fourth time, won the competition.
“
We hope to win!
enthuses Antoine Morinière, the owner of the establishment located a stone's throw from the Place Royale.
Although he will be watching the match live from the Stade de France in Paris, he has planned everything for his Nantes customers who will be able to enjoy the match broadcast on three screens.
The decoration was installed more than a week ago, the drink orders are finalized with one and a half times more beer than usual.
"
If we win, from 11 p.m., it's the fiesta
", anticipates the one who keeps fond memories of last year's final.
“
We had exploded the numbers.
»
At Tabarnak, the decoration has been installed for more than a week!
LT/Le Figaro
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A good turnover
A welcome turnover at the end of April, even if it will not make up for the losses linked to the demonstrations.
“
We have lost a little less than half over the last two months.
People are afraid to go out
, ”says Pauline, evening manager at Soon Café, Place du Commerce, a stone's throw from Fnac.
During a match night, "
we expect to double or even triple our figure
", confides the employee, who still remembers the semi-final of April 5, at La Beaujoire: many supporters had landed in the bars on returning from the Nantes stadium.
This Saturday, the entire cafe staff will be mobilized, as well as an extra, five people in total.
“
In case of victory, it's a party until the end of the night.
If it's a defeat, there's no one left after half an hour!
“Summarizes Micka, manager of Gigg's in Nantes.
In these Irish pubs specializing in rebroadcasting major sporting events through eight screens, the 2000 ecocups were ordered a long time ago for those who will consume on the terrace.
The atmosphere of Gigg's rue Santeuil, opened a month ago, should be calmer than in the traditional bar located near the cathedral, a stone's throw from the fanzone set up by the town hall, where alcohol will be prohibited: "
It's a shame this ban when it's a festive moment
», wishes to underline the manager, even if the situation will be beneficial for him personally.
Spectators of the giant screens located in Cours Saint-Pierre and Saint-André should quickly come across his bar on their way home.
In general, broadcasts will be authorized on the terraces of bars with a moderate noise level and without a giant screen.
Consumption will be allowed on the terrace but the take-out sale in public space will be prohibited.
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Make-up, smoke...
In La Ribouldingue, Bouffay district, the pennants were installed on Tuesday, the smoke bombs purchased, as was the make-up.
An additional drink order has even been scheduled.
“
People consume more and come earlier
,” explains bartender Antoine.
On Wednesday, reservations for this landmark of Nantes supporters were almost over.
But there will always be standing room for last-minute spectators.
Although the evening promises to be memorable, another factor must be taken into account: "
the weather
", underlines Hippolyte, bartender at La Réserve Café, near Tabarnak.
According to forecasts from La Chaîne Météo*, it will be 18°C on Saturday evening, with no risk of rain, with occasional cloud breaks.
Here, where the barrels will be doubled for the evening, the supporters will have to live with customers who will celebrate a birthday.
If soccer players should delight bartenders this weekend, so will rugby fans.
At 4 p.m., the Champions Cup semi-final will be broadcast with the Leinster-Toulouse clash.
*La Chaîne Météo is a property of the Le Figaro group.