This Friday afternoon, the day before the Hungary-France meeting (3 p.m., on TF 1), around twenty supporters are standing still in the oppressive heat.
About a hundred meters away, looking up, we can see the roof of the Puskas Arena, a real flying saucer posed in the outskirts of Budapest.
55 euros for the Covid-19 test in Budapest
For the vast majority, these are French fans who have come to be tested in order to be able to attend the match, the second for the Blues during this Euro.
Because if the enclosure promises to be full as an egg with more than 60,000 spectators expected, it is necessary to show a white paw before being able to pass the security gates.
“We just arrived in Budapest two hours ago and we came directly to perform a Covid-19 test, explain Matthieu and his five friends dressed in Blues jerseys.
We were tested on Wednesday in order to be able to enter the country, but since the Hungarian authorities require a PCR test of less than 72 hours for the stadium, this will allow us to take the plane on Sunday to return to France.
"
It's not easy to juggle all these health constraints.
Especially since the gang of six, like all the other French people who had their nose and throat pummeled, had to pay a payment of 55 euros.
“They took our social security numbers, but I'm not sure it's refundable in France, sighs Emilien.
This generates an additional cost compared to the initial ticket at 30 euros.
But that, we could not know when we bought the place last year.
"
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Liv and Cédric, a couple from Montpellier (Hérault), followed the same path marked out by the Hungarian authorities.
And like the 4,500 French supporters expected this Saturday at the stadium, they had to go get their bracelet, a real sesame that opens the doors of the Hungarian capital.
“It's kind of a health pass,” says Liv.
We need it to enter the stadium but also to admire the historical places of the capital.
Thanks to this bracelet, which proves that we are negative for Covid-19, we were able to visit the Parliament, Buda Castle and go to the thermal baths.
You can also dine inside the restaurants.
Finally, all these obligations punctuate our days, but fortunately that does not prevent us from enjoying the city.
"
In the stand at H-3 of the match
However, they are not done with the various obligations. This Saturday, while the match is scheduled for 3 p.m., they will have to appear at the stadium between noon and half-past noon. "It's a way of staggering the entries and avoiding the crossing of too many spectators because of the Covid-19, decrypts Cédric. The problem is that we will be in the stands three hours before the start of the meeting. And we are entitled to a backpack no larger than an A4 sheet so as not to carry projectiles, so we will have to buy something to eat on the spot. But hey, it's a beautiful country. "
