“If Morocco wins, it will be madness!” – Liberation

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2022 World Cup in Qatardossier

In Bordeaux, the regulars of the Le Cristal bar, a Mecca for the Moroccan community, are awaiting the “historic” meeting against Spain, this afternoon, in the round of 16.

In the middle of the vapors of chicha with apple, in the back room of the bar Le Cristal, renamed “Virage Nord” by his regular football fans, the Bordeaux manager, Kader, could talk for hours about his passion for football. . “Here, we are the kings of the atmosphere for the World Cup. The establishment is an institution for the Moroccan community, which is numerous in Bordeaux. I don’t know any others like us.” enthuses the quadra a few hours before the Morocco-Spain meeting in Qatar. Surrounded by a handful of customers in a hurry to talk about their World Cup, he frantically scrolls through videos of the latest sporting events on his laptop. In the images, the coffee tables and soft armchairs gave way to the jubilation of nearly 200 supporters, arm in arm. In the hushed living room, all is singing, hugs and flags floating in the air. The giant screens spit out their sound to the rhythm of tambourines and the nefar, a traditional wind instrument in the shape of a long flared tube.

“Even the TV comes”

It must be said that the course of their “core team”, qualified in the round of 16 after having started softly, is enough to arouse passions. “It hadn’t happened since 1986! I wasn’t even born.” s’amuse Abdel-Hakim. “An incredible defense”, “a convincing new coach”, “talents that have been sharpened since 2018”, the compliments flow as quickly as the regulars tug on their shisha. “Honestly, we expected them to pass the group stage, but not to see them finish first in their group alongside Croatia, the finalists of the last World Cup! It’s a very pleasant surprise.” adds Idrissi, a lifelong supporter. Apart from the sporting performance, the match will also be particularly scrutinized because of the political tensions which exist between the two countries, separated by only 20 km, in particular on the question of migration.

For Morocco-Spain, “a historical poster” – it will only be the fourth time they have met since the 1960s – reservations are pouring in at the Cristal. “We know some who have taken their afternoon to come. They will arrive from 2 p.m., to be sure of having a place before the kick-off at 4 p.m. The last to arrive will have to enjoy the atmosphere from the sidewalk,” says Kader who is delighted to see more and more women in his clientele. In her hands, an ornate teapot moves elegantly up and down to serve mint tea. Eager to mark the occasion, the manager will put the package in support of the Atlas Lions. “We even have TV that comes to film us”, confide the regulars. The person in charge of the reception will wear a traditional dress and will distribute dates and milk. A group of folk musicians, specially invited for the occasion, will complete the picture. “We don’t do things by halves in this bar, it will be like family”, breathes Abdel-Hakim, who reveals that former professional footballers have their habits there. Among them, the Moroccan international Marouane Chamakh.

“Avoiding overflows”

Between the supporters, the predictions are going well. “2-0 for Morocco!” predict two customers by unfolding a huge red and green flag. If successful, the Lions would become the fourth African team to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup after Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010). “If Morocco wins this Tuesday, it will be madness! We will celebrate it in the street, on the aptly named Place de la Victoire,” continues Idrissi. “It will be in a good-natured atmosphere, we have our own security service to avoid overflows”, Kader slips, referring to images of riots, fights and looting that took place in Brussels after the Moroccans’ victory (2-0) against Belgium. “What would be crazy would be to have a France-Morocco match! Our hearts would be torn, but whatever the outcome, we would be very happy.” livre Kader.

Waiting to see maybe “a kid’s dream” to come true, several Bordeaux supporters are already making inquiries to quickly reach Qatar by plane, in the event of qualification. “For the moment it’s a lot of disappointment, impossible to find tickets on sale for the match. There are many on the black market, but the price is around 1,500 euros. No one will be able to afford it.” testifies a visibly frustrated customer. “One thing is certain, if Morocco wins this World Cup, I promise to do Bordeaux-Casablanca on foot!” Abdel-Hakim swears. We take it at its word.

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