‘Nice’ Iceland fans prefer hugs to hooliganism

AFP, MARSEILLE: A week after England and Russia supporters clashed and while flare-throwing and fighting have marred games elsewhere, fans of tiny Iceland say they prefer hugs to hooliganism at Euro 2016.
Having the time of their lives, Icelanders told AFP in Marseille they have come to their first ever European Championships to have fun and feel part of Europe.
"I'm not sure life can get any better, it's historic, great to be here," Louise Ragnarsdottir told AFP on the seafront of the southern city.
"All my life I watched the tournaments on TV, now we are part of Europe's party!" said the 28-year-old accountant from Reykjavik.
Some 27,000 Iceland fans have travelled to France, almost 10 percent of the Nordic island's 330,000-strong population. No smaller country has ever featured at a Euro finals.
"We live on a faraway island, just to go abroad at all is an experience," said Ragnarsdottir.
After the Group F tie with Hungary on Saturday pockets of Iceland fans gathered in Marseille's Vieux Port district to chant "Boom-Boom-Hoooo!", leaping in unison on the "Hoooo!".
"It's our Viking song, synchronised and terrifying," laughed Arni Gardar, an IT consultant from Reykjavik.
"But we don't mean to be scary, we are good Vikings not marauders, actually very nice, we come in peace," he said.
"Iceland is N-Iceland!" cried another fan, Jonina Unnur Gunnarsdottir.
"They are the best fans we have seen yet," said Karim, a cafe owner watching the revelry on the Quai des Belges. "It was different last week," he recalled.
Nearly a week ago England and Russia fans conducted pitched battles in the worst violence at a football tournament since the 1998 World Cup, prompting police to respond with tear gas and baton charges.
For fans of the Nordic minnows the Euro 2016 violence has been an eye-opening experience.
"We are a peaceful nation, we have no army, no guns, we're just not into fighting," Atli Gudmundsson told AFP. "At home families go to football, no-one dreams of ever causing trouble."

Nice Iceland fans prefer hugs to hooliganism

AFP, MARSEILLE: A week after England and Russia supporters clashed and while flare-throwing and fighting have marred games elsewhere, fans of tiny Iceland say they prefer hugs to hooliganism at Euro 2016. Having the time of their lives, Icelanders told AFP in Marseille they have come to their first ever European Championships to have fun and feel part of Europe. Im not sure life can get any better, its historic, great to be here, Louise Ragnarsdottir told AFP on the seafront of the southern city. All my life I watched the tournaments on TV, now we are part of Europes party! said the 28-year-old accountant from Reykjavik. Some 27,000 Iceland fans have travelled to France, almost 10 percent of the Nordic islands 330,000-strong population. No smaller country has ever featured at a Euro finals. We live on a faraway island, just to go abroad at all is an experience, said Ragnarsdottir. After the Group F tie with Hungary on Saturday pockets of Iceland fans gathered in Marseilles Vieux Port district to chant Boom-Boom-Hoooo!, leaping in unison on the Hoooo!. Its our Viking song, synchronised and terrifying, laughed Arni Gardar, an IT consultant from Reykjavik. But we dont mean to be scary, we are good Vikings not marauders, actually very nice, we come in peace, he said. Iceland is N-Iceland! cried another fan, Jonina Unnur Gunnarsdottir. They are the best fans we have seen yet, said Karim, a cafe owner watching the revelry on the Quai des Belges. It was different last week, he recalled. Nearly a week ago England and Russia fans conducted pitched battles in the worst violence at a football tournament since the 1998 World Cup, prompting police to respond with tear gas and baton charges. For fans of the Nordic minnows the Euro 2016 violence has been an eye-opening experience. We are a peaceful nation, we have no army, no guns, were just not into fighting, Atli Gudmundsson told AFP. At home families go to football, no-one dreams of ever causing trouble.