the essential
Former TFC footballer turned wealth advisor, Pantxi Sirieix recently became a partner of the Union Saint-Jean FC club. Present at the jersey presentation on Wednesday, the former midfielder looks at the Coupe de France poster between Union Saint-Jean and AS Monaco (Sunday, 2:45 p.m.).
Pantxi, you have been a partner of the USJFC club for several months. So you followed his journey carefully…
Exactly. Afterwards, unfortunately, I am disappointed because I could not be there. I'm going to the Basque Country for the holidays, but I'll watch it carefully. It's historic for them and they're going to have a great time. I think they will enjoy it. They will remember it all their lives. Afterwards, from there to qualifying… They know that it's going to be complicated, especially playing at the Stadium.
Yes, it’s a real environment to take into account!
The quality of the pitch plays a big role in matches like this. When you play in a small stadium, with an average pitch, it still levels the level of play but for once… It's Monaco, so it's sure that it would be a truly historic and incredible feat. Afterwards, in football you never know, but in any case it is certain that they will enjoy themselves.
Also read:
Union Saint-Jean – Monaco in the Coupe de France: “It’s still a match, we are competitors…” For the amateurs, it’s time for their day of glory
Did you sometimes have trouble against Little Thumbs?
I was eliminated at the time by CFA (AS Moulins in 2014, Editor's note), so National 2/National 3 today. But it was also in contexts where you often play outside, in a small stadium where it smells like merguez. That won't be the case there. Afterwards, it's a choice and I think it's good to play this match at the Stadium. I know that the TFC helps them a lot, so it will be an incredible celebration for Occitan and Toulouse football.
That’s also the magic of the Coupe de France…
It's the only competition where amateurs can meet professional footballers, really see what the very high level is like, playing in a stadium in front of almost 20,000 people… It's incredible! They may only do it once in their life, so they have to make the most of it.
Also read:
INTERVIEWS. Union Saint-Jean – Monaco in the Coupe de France: “It’s the Holy Grail!” At the Stadium, these TFC employees will play in their workplace
If you had a little advice?
I spoke about it with Anatole (from Dinechin, USJFC full-back and TFC employee, Editor's note) and he asked me for a little advice. The advice is just to enjoy yourself. Of course, they will be a little apprehensive when they enter the stadium. But afterward, you have to let go and enjoy that moment because it's rare. These are extraordinary moments to experience and only sport can make us experience moments like that.
