Cup of joy: French nationals in Bengaluru gear up for Sunday finale

BENGALURU: Jean Michel Jasserand, a French national living in Bengaluru, is eagerly waiting for Sunday’s football World Cup final. He has purchased an ‘Allez Les Bleu’ (Go to Blues, Come on France) shirt to demonstrate his support for the Blues who will be playing against Croatia.
"It’s the most awaited match. Sixteen years ago, France won against Brazil when the match was held in Paris. It’s a big opportunity for us once again. But yes, Croatia is a good team and I wish them best of luck too," says Jasserand, a Sarjapur Road resident, who has been living in Bengaluru for 15 years and runs restaurants.

French families in Bengaluru are gung-ho as they prepare to watch their national team in action on Sunday evening.

Francois Gautier, consul general of France in Bengaluru, said seeing France make it to the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup is in itself a great experience. "It gives us, just after the French National Day, another occasion to be together with our Indian and French partners. We will hold a live screening of the match to share the spirit of the game and, hopefully, to celebrate the victory of our country," he said.

The French consulate has organised a screening at the ballroom of a star hotel in Vasanthnagar 8pm onwards on Sunday. Invites have been sent to French nationals living in Bengaluru and the response has been overwhelming.

Jasserand Thierry, who runs a chain of restaurants, is all set to enjoy the big bash organised by the French consulate. "In Bengaluru, there are four or five pubs one can visit to see the match live with friends. But weekend traffic would be a disadvantage. So, some of us are planning to go to the star hotel for the match and party thereafter. This is a great opportunity for the French team and we want to be with the team in spirit," Jasserand pointed out.

While there are over 800 French nationals living in Bengaluru, more than 200 have signed up to watch the match at the consulate screening.

Jasserand says that many expat families have gone home, as it is holiday season for international schools in Bengaluru.