For sure, here, in Barcelona and surroundings, there exist several small, valliant, clubs, Poble Nou, Sitges, which keep the XV alive in a region and a
country where people prefer the occasional, peaceful fútbol jersey tug. As for
big, beautiful contests such as the Championship of France, well, one has to go
watch them on television…
Rugby, then on the plate this weekend in Barcelona, and not any which kind of
rugby, as it is my darling team, the Stade, the toulousan Stade who travels to
confront the "stage’s regional", in the Top 14, the USAP. You’ve understood,
for Perpignan, by relocating the match to a big city, it means a chance to both
spotlight and to create a more festive atmosphere to their hosting of the titular
France Champion**. Festive, this Saturday will evidently be, with the arrival in
Barcelona of all our Oval ball brothers. There’s going to be sport, and not only on
the pitch! And moreover, for a discipline banned from the Olympic Games for the
past twenty-eight years, I admit it is an additional pleasure to see this contest at
Montjuïc, in the Lluís-Companys stadium, that is, the olympic stadium. Regarding
the game itself, to each his or her own preferences, but we’ll be marching
towards Montjuïc in lockstep, Catalans and Occitans together; as for the pre-
game dinner and the third half-time, I refer you to my mini Barcelona Guide….
* I take advantage to send a little shout-out to all of you who read Liquid & solid
ideas in English, on the webflakes.com site.
** for those who would be interested, there are still some vacant seats on sale in
Perpignan.
