Wild scenes unfolded at Roland Garros as the French Open was unexpectedly disrupted by the boisterous celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain supporters after the soccer team claimed their maiden Champions League title.
The most illustriios prize in club-level soccer may have been taking place in Munich, but its impact was felt acutely in Paris some 522 miles away during a second-round contest between Alexander Bublik and Henrique Rocha.
Their 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 match was swiftly overshadowed by the atmosphere of the PSG ultras in the nearby Parc de Princes, who set off fireworks upon their incredible 5-0 victory over Inter Milan on Saturday.
The proximity of PSG‘s home ground, a mere 750 meters from Court Philippe-Chatrier, turned an ordinary matchday into a scene of confusion and noise as 40000 soccer fans headed to watch the clash whilst 15,000 tennis supporters headed to the Roland Garros venue.
Subsequently, the 16th arrondissement of Paris became a hotspot for sporting tension and exuberant celebration so it’s a good idea that the French Open organizers ramped up security measures in anticipation of the evening’s events, especially for Novak Djokovic‘s primetime match against Filip Misolic.
Desiree Doue stars in Inter Milan rout
While the tennis world juggled its own challenges, history was being made in Germany as PSG’s 19-year-old sensation Desire Doue starred in the commanding win over Inter Milan, emerging as a rival to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
His two goals and an assist to Achraf Hakimi played a pivotal role in earning the club its first-ever Champions League title as he became the third-youngest player to net a goal in a UCL final.
Later, his fellow teenager, Senny Mayulu, added a fifth goal, sealing a dominant display as the vibrant and dynamic youth of the French team overwhelmed an old and ragged Inter side at the Allianz Arena.
Their head coach Luis Enrique, already a European champion with Barcelona in 2015, cemented his legacy with a second title; and fans paid an emotional tifo tribute to his daughter Xana, who died following a battle with cancer in 2019 at the age of nine.
As PSG fans flooded the streets and lit up the skies near Roland Garros, the night quickly became a symbolic celebration of sports in the European culture and the tifo dedication to Xana proves just how passionate Europe is about the beautiful game.
With the Champions League Final win, PSG have also qualified for the UEFA Super Cup on August 13. They will take on Tottenham Hotspur, who won the UEFA Europa League 1-0 against Manchester United on May 21.
A Brennan Johnson goal in the 42nd minute gave the London-based soccer team the advantage they needed, and Ange Postecoglou‘s men managed to hold firm in their defense to win their first major trophy since 2008.
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