You might think that the stadium at the foot of the Eiffel Tower would be the easiest sports venue to reach at the Paralympics. However, this is only partly true.
Although Paris’ most famous landmark is impossible to miss, the way into the open-air stadium turns out to be much more difficult than expected. To find the right entrance, you have to walk straight through the Parc du Champ de Mars. You pass the most beautiful houses and inevitably ask yourself how much you would have to earn to be able to afford an apartment there.
If you now think of the saying “The journey is the destination”, you are wrong again, because the view is even more beautiful. Once you get to the stands, you have a direct view of the Eiffel Tower. For the Monday evening match between host France and the big favorite Brazil in blind football this then also lights up.
Four weeks ago, during the Olympic Games the beach volleyball tournament Anyone who watched it will remember the exuberant party atmosphere and the fantastic atmosphere. Blind football is completely different.
The spectators in the stands have to be very quiet during the game. For good reason: small rattles are built into the ball so that the players can hear and locate the ball. When the players run towards the ball, they call out “Voy”, Spanish for “I’m going” – this way the other players know who is standing where. Of course, this only works if it is really quiet in the stands. But on Monday evening, quite a few people had problems with that. There are repeated calls of “Pssst” and the numerous volunteers also do their best to ensure peace and quiet in the stands.
When the first goal is finally scored on the field, it is almost too cheesy. The Brazilian superstar Ricardinho dribbles through after a corner and shoots the ball into the goal. It is exactly 9 p.m., the Eiffel Tower is glittering, as it does on the hour. The Brazilians’ goal music: Samba de Janeiro.
During the celebrations, the sighted goalkeeper and a guide come onto the field and lead the blind field players to the substitutes’ bench, where everyone celebrates together. The crowd is also allowed to be loud for a moment and cheers on the host team, who are trailing, with chants of “Allez les Bleus”.
There is no reaction from the French, and a penalty is awarded to Brazil shortly afterwards. The stands are now completely silent. The back goal guide taps the goal posts with a stick. This signals to the shooter where to shoot. The shooter shoots with his pick into the bottom right corner. The sighted goalkeeper has no chance. Shortly afterwards, it is halftime. The players form a chain and hold one hand on the shoulder of the foreman, and are led by the goalkeeper towards the catacombs.
© IMAGO/Goal Sports Images
During the half-time break, a scene that has become familiar at the Paralympics follows: there is a dance performance on the field, karaoke and a DJ playing. In terms of sport, nothing changes in the second half. Brazil, the never lost a game in blind football scored the 3-0 and thus lived up to his role as favourite.
Conclusion: The atmosphere at blind football is something that most spectators still have to get used to. Many fans have not yet internalized that the players rely on their ears and not their eyes. Even if you can hardly believe it yourself when you see the Brazilian dribbling.
But the fans are being creative: when the game is interrupted, Mexican waves keep rippling through the stadium. Instead of waving their arms, however, they use stamping feet. It’s supposed to be loud every now and then.
