A Spectacular Basketball Tournament in Lille
The basketball tournament in Lille has drawn an impressive 896,925 spectators over the course of 36 games, averaging around 24,000 fans per match. The Pierre-Mauroy stadium, which boasts a capacity of 27,900 for basketball, was filled to an average of 84%, showcasing the popularity of the event. The men's tournament particularly shone, attracting 466,081 fans with a 92% fill rate, while the women's matches saw 430,844 attendees, averaging 77%.
Highlights included a thrilling match between Team USA and Serbia, which filled the stadium with 27,328 fans, and a nail-biting final where the French women's team faced Australia, drawing 27,193 spectators. Despite the high attendance, the record for a basketball match in Europe remains 27,372, set during the Euro final in 2015 at the same venue.
Handball Takes the Stage
As the basketball excitement winds down, the Pierre-Mauroy stadium is set to host the handball tournament, with expectations to surpass one million spectators by the end of the week. Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, expressed his delight at the turnout, especially for the women's matches, noting that the International Basketball Federation was impressed with the attendance levels.
The contrasting performances of the men's and women's teams have been a focal point, with the French women's team continuing their strong performance leading into their decisive match against Australia. Gabby Williams' team has shown dominance, winning all five of their preparation matches, including significant victories against Canada and Nigeria.
- The atmosphere in Lille has been electric, with fans from various countries coming together to support their teams. The Belgian fans, in particular, stood out for their enthusiasm, as noted by player Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka, who praised their unique energy. As the handball tournament begins, the excitement continues, with 16 new matches scheduled, promising more thrilling moments for sports lovers.
