“The atmosphere is fantastic,” sums up Kevin, a 38-year-old Kenyan supporter with a broad smile. “I would say it’s even better than in Paris. Everything is gathered in front of the stadium. You don’t need to go anywhere else, you can stay here all day! » The supporter even spotted a stand selling ugali, a typical East African dish made from corn or millet flour. Kevin is part of a large group of Kenyans who live all over France and Europe, and who meet in Bordeaux for the occasion.
“Behind me, in the stadium, there was a man with a coconut bra! The French have rather funny costumes”
“It’s a good excuse to drink with friends,” admits the thirty-year-old, who lives in Oslo, Norway. “But we are also very sporty and competitive. We really like rugby sevens.” And the Kenyans are doing quite well in this discipline, even if they have not had good luck in their first matches. “We were in a difficult group,” says Kevin. The Kenyan likes the atmosphere of the discipline, and his supporters who are not stingy with eccentricities. “Behind me, in the stadium, there was a man in a coconut bra! The French have rather funny costumes.”
Kenyan supporters during the HSBC Bordeaux Sevens, international rugby sevens tournament. Laurent Theillet / SO
The matches follow one another
They opted for the flashy roller man type costume from the 1980s. “We love discretion,” quips Julien, crossed with Sybille and Vincent. They all play rugby, and met during their engineering studies in Paris. “We came to look for the Seven spirit: more fun, more colorful,” says Julien. “Also the fact that it’s a three-day tournament is great,” says Sybille. It never stops, the matches come one after the other. And the game is dynamic, with plenty of space. It’s less of a war of position than classic rugby.”
Julien, Vincent and Mathéo, French supporters during the HSBC Bordeaux Sevens rugby sevens tournament, Saturday June 6. Thibault Seurin / South West
“It’s faster, there are a lot of attempts,” confirms Lucky, an English supporter disguised as Pikachu. In the stadium, the French are being manhandled by the New Zealand team. “Only Australia can beat us,” concludes Lynn, a New Zealander who came with her husband to support the Kiwis. The French supporters will, however, be thrilled by the French women’s only try in this match, which will not prevent them from reaching the quarters.
Activities are available on the stadium forecourt during the HSBC Bordeaux Sevens. Laurent Theillet / SO
