- Pau FC, a National club, welcomes its neighbor from the Girondins in the Coupe de France.
- Football tries to make its place in a city before any fan of rugby and basketball.
- Author of a good National season (4th after 18 days), the Béarnais hope to create a surprise against Bordeaux.
A high level Aquitaine derby is therefore quite possible. It will take place this Thursday (8:55 pm) between Pau FC and the Girondins de Bordeaux in the 16th finals of the Coupe de France. The National club receives its neighbor and flagship club of the region at the Hameau stadium. Almost 15,000 people are expected.
It was the first confrontation in an official match between the two teams since 1958. But it was of course above all a huge event for the Palois. Rarely put on the front of the stage because of the very strong competition from rugby (the Paloise Section) and basketball (L'Elan Béarnais), Pau FC saw its quarter of an hour of glory. A great joy confided by Joël Lopez, the vice-president of the club, at 20 Minutes.
How are you living these last hours before the meeting?
We are delighted to have such influence and enthusiasm this week. The magic of the Coupe de France also works for us today. It is a great reward for many people. We will try to share it with as many people as possible. There are already huge spinoffs like the crowds even if the game is played on a Thursday evening. The match will also be broadcast in prime time on a television channel.
It is not always easy for you to exist here in Pau.
We are the first sport in terms of licensees but we are in a land of rugby above all. I am convinced that we can exist. There is real potential. I am sure it is also possible to have a professional level football club in Pau despite the very strong competition from other sports. There is room and potential to exist.
Financially possible?
We have ambition, that's clear. We progress a little more each year. We are at two million euros budget this season. It is one of the smallest budgets of National (the penultimate of the championship) but we evolve slowly but surely. I think that in the long term, we can consider playing on the upper floor.
After complicated years, is the club better?
Yes, for two years, we have started on a new project. We especially want to professionalize. We have a new stadium recently, it is evolving (1,200 places). We could no longer live with rugby in the hamlet, especially because of the lawn. We have a good staff (the coach is Bruno Irlès) with results (4th in the championship). Today, we do not make a complex. Pau FC must be brought forward.
What does this derby represent for you?
It's a necessarily special match. We are happy to receive them. We are closely monitoring the new Girondins project, it is interesting. We just regret having to welcome them on a lawn which will surely be very very complicated. We will have to adapt for them but also for us.
Is there still a partnership project between the two clubs?
Yes, it's a project that we always discuss with them. There were meetings with the leaders. We are in phase with the Girondins.
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- Bordeaux
- Aquitaine
- Sport
- Béarn
- French Cup
- Girondins de Bordeaux
- Pau