Bilbao is immersed in a fantastic rugby atmosphere on the second day of the Champions Cup final. Fans from Leinster and Bordeaux are cheering their teams with great respect, and the stadium surroundings are filled with laughter, chants, and beers.
The decisive match kicked off at 3:45 PM. Supporters from both teams, and European rugby fans in general, have stayed hydrated throughout a day where the temperatures were not as high as on Friday.
Despite the French team's dominant victory, there are also many Irish Leinster supporters in the city who dream of lifting their fifth Champions Cup in the same place where they won their fourth eight years ago.
“"This is the best thing about European rugby, you can be singing with rival fans and end up having a drink together."
These three fans from Dublin, Connor, Liam, and Patrick, highlight the atmosphere they are experiencing in Bilbao. "San Mamés brings back good memories, and we hope to celebrate another Champions Cup today," they explain, hopeful of repeating the 2018 success.
A couple of hours before the match, hundreds of Bordeaux Beagles fans paraded through several streets of the city, starting from Plaza Indautxu and heading towards San Mamés. Numerous French chants, typical of the Gallic team, were heard, ending with shouts of "¡Bilbao!, ¡Bilbao!" before making their way to "The Cathedral".
The best is yet to come: the "third half," which will spill into the bars of the Biscayan capital once one of the two teams competing in the Champions Cup final (Leinster or Bordeaux) lifts the trophy.
