More than 16,000 people came to watch the live broadcast of the Champions Cup final between Stade Toulouse and Leinster, Place du Capitole in Toulouse on Saturday 25 May. Around the perimeter, traffic was closed and access to the event was filtered.
It began with an explosion of joy, Place du Capitole in Toulouse, in a decibel rhythm pushed to the limit, when the final whistle between the “red and black” and the Irish from Leinster (22-31) sounded on the field. the legendary Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London.
More than 16,000 people gathered for this sixth crown of Stade Toulouse in the final of the Champions Cup where they had to grit their teeth until the end of the game which brought surprises at the end of the second half. To the delight of spectators who followed the meeting on a giant screen that was available to Toulouse City Hall, as well as the security perimeter around the Place du Capitole, with police presence and filtering at the entrances.
“Fun in Toulouse”
Some of the Stade faithful, wearing red and black jerseys that are clearly visible, have come from “the depths of the department to spend the weekend in Toulouse and party,” says Nathan, a 20-year-old student, excitedly jumping up and down with his friends.
The party then quickly spread to the terraces of the cafes which were also broadcasting the final of the European Rugby Cup. Then there was a horn concert on the boulevards of Toulouse. The party continued at Place du Capitole where a huge Stade Toulousein (Red Kingdom) flag covered the entire facade and beer flowed freely towards Place Saint-Pierre.
“With the first 14, it would be incredible”
It started, an hour before the game, with the performance of the young world champion in beat box from Toulouse, and then the audience sang “O Toulouse” by Claude Nougaro, which also became an anthem in honor of the Toulouse players. Like Joe Dassin’s song “In the eyes of Emilie” that made the audience dance at the beginning of the afternoon. “If they also win brennus in the Top 14 final, that will be amazing,” says Mathilde, who came with her family and “a fan from the beginning.”