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EYMET - In Eymet, a small French village in the south west region of Dordogne, Saturday night's Rugby World Cup match between France and England will mean winners all round.
Typically equipped with a church tower, a Thursday produce market and a rugby stadium, its population of 2,600 is 25per cent British, but, claims one local, 100per cent integrated.
"Here, there is no two communities," said Dean Moody who has lived in Eymet for five years and owns an IT shop.
"If France wins we will support it in the final, and the French will do the same for us, for sure. What's important is that it's a good game," he said.
In another part of the town, on the door of a web cafe run by an English couple, Simon and Karen Colebourn, is another indication of the local entente cordiale - a sign which reads, "Allez les deux, les Blancs et les Bleus."
Many English residents have taken the view they will support France, because they live here, and then, if France doesn't make it to the final, they will revert to England.
However, there are others who remain staunchly loyal to the team of their native country, one, going so far as to have ordered a wreath from the local florist in case England loses.
So far, the signs of the drama to come are muted no flags at the windows, no conspicuous rugby shirts only the conversations themselves leave no doubt that the France England semi-final is on everybody's mind.
At the counter of the Café de Paris, the nerve centre of the town this Thursday (October 11th) mid morning, there is lots of banter, a few pointed remarks and plenty of firm handshakes between French and English inhabitants.
One retired Englishman has bet on a 42 to 20 point win for England, but says either way, after the match, everyone will still be friends.
Between serving white wines, beers and coffees, the owner Jean-Michel Anselmi comments that although things are starting to get a bit more heated, it's all in good spirit.
"They will be here Saturday with a rose on their heart, but we will have French jersey's behind the bar," Anselmi said. "In any case, the most important thing is that everyone has a good time," he said.
And business wise it can't be bad either. Anselmi says he has heard that planes coming from England to the village's local airport, Bergerac, are fully booked.
"Now there are even those that are flying in via Carcassonne," he said of another town about three hours drive from Eymet.
For the occasion Anselmi has organised a giant screen, four metres by four, which will be on the church square in front of his café. He has also laid on 20 extra barrels of beer, though not Guinness.
"It takes too long to pour," he said.
Over at Chez Tortoni, another bar, rugby club locals, Big Jeannot (le Gros Jeannot) and Rene, known as Renato, are exchanging views and refining outlooks over a small glass of wine.
One thing they are sure of is that if France is beaten, they will support the northern hemisphere team against the southern.
For Tortoni's owner however there is no question of choosing a team yet. "Me, I am going to wait and see who's in the bar. Sales before everything," he exclaims.
- AFP
