Flags are used as warming shawls and super beer is flown from counter to tables pushed against walls. Amidst the crowd, a few Moroccans from Pau showed their favor by donning the shirts of the Atlas Lions. Djamel Belhoucine, coach of the Portuguese first team Pau, remains more conservative but does not hide his preference. The young man, who has dual French-Moroccan citizenship, admits that his team has been “in a little cabin in recent days”.
“historic moment”
“The Moroccans are playing in their first World Cup quarter-final match in their history. So, yes, it’s a historic moment,” says the coach.
Not enough to prevent him from sharing this powerful moment with his team, under the benevolent eye of the Amédée de Almeida club president. In the hall, the youngest shouts for Ronaldo but the Atlas Lions dominate the match. The daylight is receding and the failure of the “suffocated” Portuguese team is gradually leaving the fans speechless.
Not enough to shed a tear though. Everyone had an appointment to support by following home team on the pitch Andre LaVey before watching France and England from the foyer.
