Antoine Bienvault / Photo credits: EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
It is an event awaited by all basketball fans in France. A match from the prestigious American league, the NBA, will be played this Thursday evening in Paris. The poster will pit the Brooklyn Nets against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Accor Arena. To increase the pressure before the big meeting, the NBA opened its “NBA House” in Paris on Wednesday. [maison NBA]. On the program: activities, competitions and derivative products on sale in spades. Europe 1 went to take the temperature with the fans.
“Having a Brooklyn match in Paris is just great!”
Jerseys hung on every wall, a giant basketball court and stars galore… The NBA is thinking big for its return to Paris. An American atmosphere appreciated by Kenny, basketball jersey on his shoulders. “It’s nice to have a little piece of the NBA in Paris. I saw Tony Parker! These are people we’re not used to seeing in real life!” he rejoices.
Alongside former player Tony Parker, several Brooklyn stars. Baptiste, an unconditional fan of the New York team, is over the moon. “Having a Brooklyn match in Paris is just great! We were able to get some photos, clearly, I’m going to sleep well tonight or I’m going to have trouble getting to sleep,” he says to microphone from Europe 1.
Wembanyama in the next match in 2025?
If the excitement is there, it could be even greater in a year. Because, according to the American media, the Spurs team, that of French prodigy Victor Wembanyama, could participate in the match in 2025 in Paris. An idea that delights Fahim, an insatiable basketball fan. “It would be incredible, especially since he is French! I think it could create a lot of excitement around the basketball scene in Paris,” he says.
In the meantime, he can’t wait to see his first match this Thursday evening in the stands of the Accor Arena. A match to follow on Canal+ from 7 p.m.