Aya Nakamura, SDM, Hakimi, Niska… There were lots of people at the adidas Arena this Thursday evening, for the 12th edition of Impulstar.
Born in 2011 in a district of Argenteuil, the largest “five-a-side football” tournament in France was then exported to the City stadium at the foot of the Eiffel Tower for several years.
But it still wasn't big enough.
So this year, they dropped off their bags in the brand new adidas Arena, inaugurated barely two weeks ago.
Also read “We understood each other”: how the Impulstar football tournament moved from Argenteuil to the Adidas Arena
8000 spectators, influencers, rappers, international footballers, there was something for everyone.
“I mainly came to see the concerts,” explains Leticia.
SDM and Aya, it was incredible.”
A few rows further, Charlène retorts: “We came to watch football.
The day is incredible, 10 out of 10.”
A total of 148 players took part in the five-a-side football tournament, including 56 girls.
This is the second consecutive year that a women's tournament has been organized.
This year, it was “Les Francomtoises”, led by Salma, who won 2-0 in the final against “Parigo 91”.
“What we just did today will stay in our memories,” says the player.
It's the first time we've played in a field like this, with supporters, influencers, artists.
I even got to meet Selma Bacha, it’s great.”
“When I started, women's football was not as exposed,” notes Selma Bacha, French international and Olympique Lyonnais player.
They are very lucky to be here and to savor these moments of sharing.”
After a trophy presentation by the newly minted African champion Seko Fofana, the day ended with an exceptional show by Niska who set the adidas Arena on fire.
Go to the video at the top of the article to see our report.