After the Turkish bath experienced by the French team in Konya in June 2019, it's time for the Hungarian (beer) shower!
Two years after this incredible atmosphere in Turkey which had confused the Blues (2-0), Antoine Griezmann's band was shaken by a Hungarian audience boiled by the heat of Budapest.
"This is our first time in a full stadium," recalls the French number 7 at the microphone of TF1.
I'm exhausted.
It was super hot and the atmosphere changed our habits.
We did not get along on the ground.
But it's nice to play in front of supporters.
It pushes us.
"
To be quite fair, this crazy atmosphere especially pushed the Hungarians, authors of a thunderous start to the meeting.
They were to be nearly 50,000 supporters of the magical Magyars, the nickname of this selection.
And on the goal of Attila Fiola, a few seconds before the break, the reaction of the public unbalanced the whole Puskas Arena, almost packed.
A dizzying moment and an unforgettable memory for all those present this Saturday afternoon in the largest enclosure of the Hungarian capital.
“We were a little surprised at the start with this enormous noise,” confirms Corentin Tolisso in the mixed zone.
This is a big difference compared to the last few months.
"
To read also Hungary-France (1-1): the notes of the Blues
The goal of the conqueror Attila Fiola therefore totally excited the crowd. A ton of glasses of beer (with alcohol, a novelty compared to Euro 2016 in France) flew to fall on the fans present. Despite the half-time whistle, the Hungarians remained in the stands to sing for long minutes before continuing the show in the corridors and reloading the glasses. Throughout the second period, the magnificent spectacle of a stadium dressed in red continued before the grand final: the Hungarian national anthem (Himnusz) repeated in chorus by the players and the public. In the pre-match, "the Marseillaise", precisely, had been somewhat whistled by these same supporters. A false note expected in view of the tense political relations between the France of Emmanuel Macron and the Hungary of Viktor Orban.
What about our 5,000 tricolors? The slightest attempt at “Marseillaise” or chants (“Qui ne saute pas n'est pas Français”, “Aux arms”) was quickly extinguished by the whistles of a red people heated to white. Reunited in one of the corners of the Puskas Arena, they celebrated Griezmann's equalizer as best they could before handing the show to their rivals of the day. "It was exceptional, despite the sluggish match of the France team," says Benjamin, who came from the Paris region with several friends. On the Hungarian goal, we were hardly unhappy to experience that. We wanted to see that. It was fabulous. When I come out of a nightclub I have the same feeling with the ringing in my ears. "
🏆 # EURO2020 🇭🇺🇫🇷 #HONFRA
👏 What an atmosphere at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest!
🇭🇺 The Hungarians celebrate the draw against the Blues with their 38,000 supporters!
pic.twitter.com/UJsFW1YwBf
- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 19, 2021
From noon, the French had also warmed their voices on the side of the Heroes' Square in Budapest and its famous columns, where the city's fan zone is located (11,000 seats). Between 1,500 and 2,000 of them had gathered there before forming a magnificent procession towards the stadium, 2 km from here. On this road, well surrounded by the local police, the crowd was exemplary, multiplying the accolades with the Hungarian passers-by. A fraternal atmosphere that excited everyone after a year and a half of coldness due to the health crisis. The Covid-19 is not yet behind us. But we got a glimpse of the world before. And we are already looking forward to being in France-Portugal on Wednesday evening.