
As a nation where soccer takes a backseat to other sports, most stories about soccer fans in Europe that make it across the Atlantic highlight their hooliganism.
What’s missed are the sometimes heartwarming, sometimes tear-jerking scenes of European culture and neighborliness during their large international soccer tournament, the European Championships.
With a week’s worth of matches already concluded, GNN has created a round-up of videos and stories of fans behaving well, having fun, obeying the law, and being sweethearts—from Scotland down to Slovenia.
Hosted in Germany this year, the police have already made dozens of arrests for disorderly conduct, but they’ve often been at the center of the party—like when this officer began to enjoy a spot of traditional dance with the Albanian fans.
German police dancing with Albanian fans
byu/Minute-Cash8119 insoccer
They’ve also been the first ones to salute fans for creating “a special atmosphere” like in Munich, when nearly 200,000 Scotland’s supporters descended on the city in advance of the tournament’s opening fixture of Germany vs Scotland.
Vielen Dank an die schottischen Fans, die in den letzten Tagen für die großartige Stimmung gesorgt haben. Viel Erfolg bei der #EURO2024 und eine gute Weiterreise.
Wir wünschen unseren @polizei_nrw_k, @PolizeiBerlin_E und @polizei_nrw_do einen guten Start in den Einsatz. pic.twitter.com/baFxaxvr9P
— Polizei München (@PolizeiMuenchen) June 15, 2024
Scottish paper The National spoke with one German fan who said they created “a very relaxed and happy atmosphere” whilst in Munich, and another who said the nation’s fans were “people of honor”.
More on Scotland later. Also from the British Isles, English fans decided to boogie with an old woman they met on the streets in advance of England’s first game against Slovakia.
England fans having a dance with a German lady this afternoon.
byu/Callum0598 insoccer
Those are some knees, but old people would become a theme of fan interactions this year—like these Austrian fans who were conducted by an elderly German lady from her balcony.
Austrians were also caught on video straining national relations with the French, when fans set to watch their opening game against France taunted their opposition by snapping baguettes in front of them.
Beautiful interaction between Austria fans on their way to game vs. France & an elderly lady who becomes their chant leader. ❤️
If only wholesome videos could mark Kylian Mbappe… 🇦🇹pic.twitter.com/2TZtYRSpuQ
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 17, 2024
Austrian fans snapping baguettes in front of French fans
byu/Callum0598 insoccer
Oh the humanity!
Displaying their disrespect for Italian cooking with equal cheek, Albanians decided to taunt the Italian fans in a similar way—by demonstrating exactly how they cook spaghetti.
Albania fans were really snapping spaghetti in front of Italy fans 😂 Should have told him that theres no need to waste good pasta when you can snap up some wins at https://t.co/1CivTnIx4Z instead!#Euros #Euros2024 pic.twitter.com/E8NdDkabqU
— TG Casino (@TGCasino_) June 18, 2024
From funny to emotional, the Washington Post shared a video from a fan zone in Berlin that captured the beautiful sunset signing of Spanish, Croatian, and German fans standing shoulder to shoulder.
Featured at the European Championships for the first time in the nation’s history, Georgia lost their opening match 3-1 against Turkey. But when the Georgians equalized from 1-0 down in the first half, one journalist couldn’t hold back the tears.
Spanish, Croatian and German fans singing together outside of the Olympiastadion in Berlin
byu/el_rompe_toyotas_19 insoccer
Lovely moment Georgian journalist is overcome with emotion in press box after witnessing his country score their first goal at a major tournament against Turkey.
The power of football. 🇬🇪❤️🤍pic.twitter.com/as27oxo1C5
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 18, 2024
Now we come back to Scotland: the world’s oldest formalized international team arrived in stunning fashion. Visiting fans said the Berlin Airport might as well have been Glasgow—and the Scots weren’t even playing in Berlin that week.
Whatever atmosphere they created in Munich paled in comparison to their arrival in Cologne to take on the Swiss, where a giant parade of the ‘Tartan Army’ was led by dozens of bagpipes, walking shoulder to shoulder with the police towards the cathedral and stadium.
NOBODY DOES IT LIKE THE TARTAN ARMY. 🏴
Thousands of Scotland fans march through Cologne, led by bagpipes. Incredible sight before their showdown with the Swiss. pic.twitter.com/qstw9dBwXd
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 19, 2024
They had delightful interactions with the locals, from one young man who decided to empty his fridge of beers and drop them to thirsty Scots from his balcony, to an old man with a walker who was kept dry by Scottish umbrellas.
Scotland fans sheltering this old man from the rain as he walks through the street.
byu/Callum0598 insoccer
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