France faces Germany on Wednesday June 15 during the first day of the group stage of Euro 2020. The opportunity for Europe 1 to return to this rivalry still so strong today.

First episode: the semi-final of Euro 2016 won by the Blues (2-0) in a phenomenal atmosphere at the Stade Vélodrome. 

TESTIMONY

There was a time when Germany haunted the worst nightmares of supporters of the France team. The drama of Seville in the semifinals of the 1982 World Cup with the Schumacher attack on Battiston (3-3, 5-4 tab), the defeat four years later again at the gates of the final (2-0) then the Head of Hummels to take out the Blues of Didier Deschamps in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup (1-0): for a long time, in the end, it was the Mannschaft who won. But the black series ended on July 7, 2016. In the semifinals of "his" Euro, France breaks the curse thanks to a double from Antoine Griezmann (2-0), in a glowing Velodrome stadium.

For all the French supporters present that evening in Marseille, this meeting remains a blessed moment, with the memory of a boiling atmosphere as rarely.

Europe 1 traces this crazy day of July 7, 2016, a few days away from a highly anticipated France-Germany for the first day of the group stage of Euro 2020, on June 15. 

Before the match: a festive and good-natured parade to the stadium 

On this summer day, France wakes up in oppressive heat. The heatwave did not, however, discourage the fans of the Blues, who began to flock to the Canebière in the early hours of the day. Guillaume and Cyril, two members of the French Irresistibles, the main group of French supporters, arrive at Saint-Charles station in the morning from Paris. Head to the Borély racecourse, very close to the Prado beaches, where the French Football Federation has set up a "Casa Bleue" for the occasion, this ephemeral "house" which welcomes French fans before each match at home and at the outside.

Cyril, accompanied by his group of friends, sets off at the beginning of the afternoon for a "fan walk", this parade which brings together thousands of supporters towards the stadium in a festive and friendly atmosphere. "We walked for miles, the atmosphere grew slowly. The further we went in the direction of the stadium, the more people there were and the more it sang," remembers this supporter of ... PSG, now 34 years old . 

Guillaume and his band of friends find themselves in the middle of the tide of German supporters, all dressed in white, who go up the avenue du Prado to the Velodrome stadium.

"They had PA buses, with music and singing. There was a great atmosphere between the French and the Germans, everyone was laughing and singing. It was really benevolent as it was a semi-final. Euro between two rivals, "remembers this young 24-year-old OM fan, inevitably delighted to find his favorite stadium.

"Without wanting to be chauvinistic, we know that the atmosphere at the Vélodrome is extraordinary. We felt very early on that this match would be special," he assures us. 

Enjoy!

# GERFRA @ DFB_Team @ UEFAEURO # fanwalk # euro2016 # DieMannschaftpic.twitter.com / qM5B2xCi2W

- DFB_Fanclub (@DFB_Fanclub) July 7, 2016

During the match: "The songs started everywhere" 

On the square, the supporters raise the temperature a little more, with great reinforcements of songs and smoke (a local tradition).

The mercury will not fall again, in a white heated chamber well before the start of the match.

"Before entering the stands, we were already starting with the drum to launch certain songs. As soon as we warmed up, there was a great atmosphere. When the players entered the pitch, I remember a very loud noise, almost like a goal. We felt that the gladiators were entering the arena, "recalls Guillaume.

At the kick-off, the popular fervor did not weaken: "The songs started from everywhere in the stadium, which is not always the case. It was crazy". 

But on the ground, the French team of Didier Deschamps suffers considerably against the prowled collective and the technique of the Germans, then reigning world champions. The chances are linked for the Nationalmannschaft, and yet the miracle occurs just before half-time. On a corner, German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is guilty of a hand fault, logically punished with a penalty. With a powerful shot from the left foot, Antoine Griezmann transforms the penalty (45th + 2) and gives an unexpected advantage to the Blues, capsizing with happiness Guillaume and the entire Vélodrome. "On the goal there was an explosion of joy that literally made the stadium shake. It wasn't an expression, it was impressive."

On returning from the locker room, the "Aux arms" are linked by interposed stands, giving this France-Germany an atmosphere worthy of an OM-PSG or an OM-OL.

The Vélodrome will definitely switch to ecstasy in the 72nd minute, on Griezmann's second goal, which seals the victory of the Blues and qualification for the final. 

The post-game: clapping and delirium in the passageways 

At the final whistle, the ambient madness seizes the players of the France team, who rush to the bottom of a bend in the Vélodrome to celebrate this feat with their supporters. Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann, Patrice Evra, Dimitri Payet and all their teammates even launch a "clapping", taken up by the whole stadium, before starting a mini lap of honor. "Tonight, every time we had the ball, we were pushed forward by the whole stadium," reacted "Grizi", questioned after the meeting. 

For Cyril, the party is far from over. The supporter, who manages social networks on behalf of the French Irresistibles, then begins to film the passageways of the Vélodrome, where hundreds of fans stay for more than an hour after the end of the match to continue to celebrate. "The post-game really marked me. We had all stayed inside, about 200-300, and we had all our biggest chants out. With the resonance of the hall, the atmosphere was crazy." For this long-time fan of the Blues, just like for Guillaume, this France-Germany will remain the best memory of this Euro 2016. "There was pride to go to the final and beat a big team like Germany. C it is a moment that will be forever etched in my memory. "