Fans arrive at Stade Velodrome as France take on New Zealand in Olympics men's soccer

Record ID: 1831088

  • Title: Fans arrive at Stade Velodrome as France take on New Zealand in Olympics men's soccer
  • Date: 30th July 2024
  • Summary: MARSEILLE, FRANCE (JULY 30, 2024) (REUTERS) CHILDREN WEARING COSTUMES IN FRANCE COLOURS / FRANCE FANS STANDING PEOPLE ARRIVING AT MARSEILLE'S STADE VELODROME FRANCE FANS ARRIVING AT STADIUM VARIOUS OF FANS COMING FROM MONGOLIA, HOLDING FRENCH FLAGS VARIOUS OF CHILD WAVING FRENCH FLAG PEOPLE WALKING VARIOUS OF YOUNG FRANCE FAN, LOONA, HAVING FRENCH FLAG PAINTED ON HER FACE (SOUNDBITE) (French) 10-YEAR-OLD FRANCE FAN, LOONA, SAYING: "It's nice and above all, I’ve always wanted to watch a France match, and here, during Olympics, there will be an even nicer atmosphere, so it will be super cool." (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARENT OF LOONA, EMMANUELLE CAIRANE, SAYING : "The four of us came from Vitrolles as a family. It's the second time that the children are going to the Stade Velodrome, and we definitely wanted them to be a part of the Olympics. We've watched the women’s (football team) on Sunday and we’re watching the men’s team tonight, and we really hope that France will win. Come on Les Bleus!" TWO WOMEN HOLDING FRENCH FLAG PEOPLE ARRIVING FOR MATCH WOMAN WITH PICTURE OF SOCCER PLAYER PAINTED ON FACE MEN WEARING FRANCE T-SHIRTS VARIOUS OF FRANCE FANS (SOUNDBITE) (French) 19-YEAR-OLD FRANCE FAN, MATTHIS MICHEL, SAYING: "It's special, because I’m used to coming here to watch Marseille play, to watch my city, and now, we will watch our country, so for sure, it's great. And perhaps this opportunity will only happen once in our life, to be able to see the Olympic Games here in Marseille. It’s really amazing, I'm very happy to be here tonight." PEOPLE AT ENTRANCE OF STADIUM FAN WAVING NEW ZELAND FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW ZEALAND FAN, ALEXANDER CRAIG, SAYING: "The French team has a very good team and has some very good professionals - (Michael) Olise, (Alexandre) Lacazette. We will have to be at our best to stop players of this quality." CRAIG WITH HIS FAMILY FRANCE FAN, JULIEN, AND HIS FAMILY JULIEN'S SON (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE FAN, JULIEN, SAYING: "It's very interesting to see new players that we don't usually get to see in normal France matches because with Olympics it's always something different (WITH SQUADS ONLY ALLOWED TO INCLUDE THREE PLAYERS OVER 23). So we can watch nations that we usually don’t see play. New Zealand, we can’t really watch them play other than during the Olympic Games. So it’s very interesting.” FANS ARRIVING
  • Embargoed: 13th August 2024 18:05
  • Keywords: France vs New Zealand Olympic Games Olympics Paris 2024 men's soccer
  • Location: MARSEILLE, FRANCE
  • City: MARSEILLE, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Europe,Olympics,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA001297230072024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Crowds of fans arrived at the Marseille's Stade Velodrome on Tuesday (July 30) to watch the French soccer team face New Zealand in the Olympic Games.
    Around 60,000 fans are expected in the stadium on Tuesday night for the final leg of the group stage with the hosts looking to ensure they finish top spot in the group having already qualified for the quarter-finals.
    France are the clear favourites with the majority of fans, including many from outside the country, sporting blue, white and red costumes.
    The Kiwis, however, will be hoping to cause a major upset and snag a spot in the knockout round.
    "It's special, because I’m used to coming here to watch Marseille play, to watch my city, and now, we will watch our country, so for sure, it's great. And perhaps this opportunity will only happen once in our life, to be able to see the Olympic Games here in Marseille," French fan Matthis Michel said.
    On the other hand, Kiwi fan Alexander Craig said New Zealand would have to be at their very best to halt some of Les Bleus' high-profiles names including Bayern Munich summer signing Michael Olise and Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette.
    "We will have to be at our best to stop players of this quality," Craig said.
    (Production: Noemie Olive, Ardee Napolitano)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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