Paris (AFP)

"An event", "a dream come true": Parisians, coming from further afield and even from Europe, basketball fans converged on Friday for Paris for the first official NBA match ever organized in France, Milwaukee Bucks-Charlotte Hornets in Bercy.

After being invited to London for nine years, the best basketball championship in the world has therefore decided to settle down on the Old Continent in the French capital for a regular season match. While so far only pre-season friendly matches have been held there.

Enough to bring fans from far, far away even, no matter the high price of seats ... and no matter the lack of places, moreover: Jan, Alex, Anton and Earvin could not pick up - more than 100,000 requests were made for only 15,000 tickets - they still drove seven hours from Germany.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of their loved ones, to whom they drink, beer in hand, in front of the "NBA House", in the Marais in the heart of Paris. Failing to see the match in Bercy, they console themselves with the numerous events (shooting competition, contests) organized until Sunday.

"This is an event for any European basketball fan, we are the best example of it. It is as if a Champions League (football) match was organized in China," says Jan.

The four friends are not the only ones to have crossed the French borders for the occasion.

Florian, 20, wearing the Bucks' green jersey, came to him from Belgium with his father to "make his dream come true": attend an NBA game and see his favorite player, the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, at work de Milwaukee, voted best player of the last regular season.

A dream much more accessible 350 kilometers from home than across the Atlantic.

- Jordan tattoo -

Others have come even further, such as Roberto and Mariana, a Roman couple in their fifties - Monsieur has supported Milwaukee since the early 80s - or Dimitri, 30.

He is a compatriot of Antetokounmpo, "who shows Greece another face, that of success, far from economic problems". He traveled from Thessaloniki, a gift from his wife and family.

"It's not exactly the same experience as having a game in the United States, but it seems to have a lot of entertainment planned. I hope I will feel a little in the United States ; in any case, I won't know anything since I have never been there! "he explains, smiling despite the cold weather that surrounds the surroundings of Bercy.

Jean-Baptiste also comes to see more than a match, after spending 400 euros for the place, not counting the trip from Bordeaux: "There is also the show around, the entertainment, the atmosphere. Like the Everything is grand, disproportionate in the United States. "

"It's an American show, with dancers, games for the public, etc." confirms Matthew, 37, who came from Nantes with his eight-year-old nephew.

With, in a corner of the head, another dream than to attend his first NBA game: to see his idol Michael Jordan, best player in history, six times NBA champion in the 90s with the Chicago Bulls and today owner of the Hornets.

Matthieu wears the shirt, under which he reveals a tattoo of the characters from "Space Jam", an animated film in which Michael Jordan played. For those who like basketball, like Friday, Friday night is much more than a game.

© 2020 AFP