Super Thursday in France, Tourmalet test then France v Morocco | OneFootball

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, France is set for a sporting double not seen before on Thursday. The Tour tackles one of its great climbs, the Tourmalet, in the afternoon, and France meet Morocco at night. Tarbes, a city of 40,000, 45 kilometres from Pau, sits close to the action.

The race’s sweep through small towns shows France’s cultural variety.

There is no clash of times. The stage should end before 6 in the evening, while the football starts at 10 at night. Those braving the Tourmalet know a blocked, punishing descent awaits, making it hard to be home four hours later.

On a warm July night in Tarbes, near Place de Verdun, young and old gathered at bars with tea, coffee and water, waiting for kick-off.

The Tour’s caravan, spread around villages near Gavarnie, may barely notice any late-night din after the result. Many teams are in Pau, often on the outskirts, away from the midnight hubbub. Those lodging in central Tarbes could struggle to sleep.

Four years ago in Qatar, France beat Morocco in a World Cup semi-final. In Marseille, many with Algerian roots backed Morocco, but France still advanced. In 2014, Tarbes celebrated Algeria’s extra time exit to Germany, crowds filling streets outside a hotel where Tour teams tried to sleep.

Morocco command broad affection in France, so many will settle in from three in the afternoon to watch Aspin then the Tourmalet and, later, the football, rising only for food, a drink or the loo.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo