I could about kill for a croque madamme at this point. While walking back to the RER station (Nanterre-Ville, not Nanterre-Prefecture) I looked up what route do I need to take to Parc de Princes and noticed that it changes at CDG-Etoille station, which reminds me of a small but nice shopping centre that I have passed through some years back during my stay in Hyatt Regency Etoille. Eventually I find out that this hotel is one station up the M1 line at Porte Maillot, but a plan is a plan, so I go there.

Well, half a success. The small shopping centre is there (and as expected, the hotel and adjacent conference centre have an official function wrt the games, which explains why this one, my otherwise favourite Paris hotel, had even crazier rates than the others) and I have found a cafe of the exact style I was looking for. However, when I attempted to order a croque monsieur, the man just says “is finish sorry”. Damn and blast. Well, fresh baguettes to the rescue, in the end I was quite happy with my lunch, for 11 euros including the can of beer.



After that, it was time to head to the actual venue. I knew already I would be late, but as it turned out, I was far from alone. A steady stream of latecomers trickled towards the stadium.

I did get in just in time though to catch the first Moroccan goal, and capture the “home fans” after.



In retrospect I feel a little sorry for Team USA. The Moroccans made themselves heard, and it really felt almost like the match could have been in Rabat.

But… that is exactly what I came here looking for. I enjoyed the game immensely



And am quite happy to learn my tickets in a week are in virtually the same place.

The whole experience really renergized me, and I decided to try and pay the National Houses at least a short visit (stadium having only non-alcoholic 1664 beer, and me knowing the Czechs brought in Czech craft beers might have played a role) and stop for a dinner on the way.

To that effect, I took the metro from a nearby station.

And man, I have to say, the organization of volunteers is on point. From only letting in a reasonable number of people to actually enter the subterranean station, to straight up handing out water in the hot&stuffy environment of the metro… my hat is off and I bow as deep as I might.