Budapest (AFP)

For its big debut in the Euro, Budapest wore red.

In the Hungarian capital, the only one whose stadium will be packed in times of a pandemic, Hungarian fans left very early to welcome the Portuguese European champions on Tuesday.

For its first match in the European Nations Championship (18:00, 16:00 GMT), Hungary receives Cristiano Ronaldo and company at the Puskas Arena, in front of 65,000 spectators, unprecedented in a Hungarian stadium, according to the daily Nemzeti Sport, since 35 years old and a match against Brazil before the World Cup-1986

A parallel world.

Where the ten other stadiums across Europe to host the competition have established a maximum level, for health precautions against Covid-19, the Budapest enclosure will be the first since the confinements of March 2020 to 100% of its capacity .

"At Euro-2016, it was a party in the street, and now it's even more euphoria. After the Covid, the confinements and the removal of people, we are vaccinated and we think that is enough "says Rajmund Javori, who came especially for the match in Pecs, in southern Hungary.

On the monumental Place des Héros, the sun is shining and the temperature is around 30 degrees.

The fan-zone, planned for 11,000 people, is already starting to fill up with red jerseys in the colors of the Magyar selection.

- "No problem with the Covid" -

"I'm not at all afraid of the Covid. I've been waiting for more than two years to go to the stadium and set the mood there. We will shake the legs of the Portuguese players," promises Bence, a 24 year old ultra Hungarian.

"We are ready, we have masks and hydroalcoholic gel", adds Sandor Arpad, 56 years old.

"Hungary is one of the countries in Europe with the highest vaccination rate, which is why there will be no problem with Covid-19".

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Live entertainment, DJs and flowing beer help fans kill time while they wait for the game.

Among them, a few Portuguese, although most of the 8,000 who came for the occasion preferred to visit the city.

Transported by Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", Henrique Dornseifer strums on his table.

He came from Berlin to support the Seleçao.

With his cousin Manuel Monteiro and his childhood friend Francisco Silva, they follow their team in all major competitions since Euro-2004 at home.

"Like Ronaldo," they point out.

"The atmosphere is special. I'm vaccinated, so I'm not afraid of a full stadium. Even if it doesn't seem fair to the other teams," said Henrique, of Portuguese mother and German father.

Saturday, he will be in Munich for the Germany-Portugal clash between his two core teams.

- "We should play the final here" -

"We should play the Euro final here, with the stadium full. Even if the supporters are not the friendliest," adds Manuel Monteiro, fearing that the atmosphere will deteriorate as the beers are swallowed up .

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Since its inauguration in November 2019, the stadium supposed to symbolize the rebirth of Hungarian football had not been able to show its splendor.

The pandemic, and the ball - Hungary having narrowly won its qualification, against Iceland - had threatened to deprive the Hungarians of their dream: to play the Euro at home.

As a health measure, all spectators entering the stadium must wear a yellow bracelet, collected outside in exchange for proof of vaccination, or a negative PCR test for strangers.

"The atmosphere of a great match, I missed it. One day, it will be necessary to return to normal. Statistically, I am more afraid of having a bicycle accident", affirms the Portuguese Eduardo Lopes, met in the city center with his son Guilherme.

© 2021 AFP