AUSTRIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - EURO 2008 - Thousands of Swedish and Spanish fans party in the streets of Euro host city Innsbruck ahead of the Group D match

Record ID: 335011

  • Title: AUSTRIA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - EURO 2008 - Thousands of Swedish and Spanish fans party in the streets of Euro host city Innsbruck ahead of the Group D match
  • Date: 15th June 2008
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPANISH FAN SAYING: "Look at us. If they have the same hopes as us about this match we will win for sure." SWEDISH FANS PUTTING GIANT SWEDISH FLAG OVER SPANISH FANS
  • Embargoed: 30th June 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Austria
  • Country: Austria
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA7RYU05E7D6XA4HMEE9NYQLTC8
  • Story Text: The atmosphere was festive in the Austrian city of Innsbruck as Spanish and Swedish fans partied together in support of their teams on Saturday (June 14).
    Throughout the morning, the streets filled with a sea of red and yellow shirts as thousands descended on the alpine city.
    Just hours before Spain faces Sweden in the Tivoli stadium, national divides were firmly put aside as fans from both countries drank, sang and danced together.

    "Look at us. If they (the players) have the same hopes as us about this match we will win for sure," said one Spanish fan who had travelled all the way from the Canary Islands.
    Sweden and Spain are familiar foes and both sides notched up convincing wins in their opening matches on Tuesday, Spain crushing Russia 4-1 and Sweden beating defending champions Greece 2-0.

    "I wish and hope that Sweden will win. If it's 1-1 I'm happy," said one Swedish fan.

    "Well it will be a really great game. Spain is really great but we the Swedes and I think we got to beat them because we are so joyful. So we will beat them. We just love it and all this exciting atmosphere around here.
    So I think we'll have at least 3-2 or something. Many goals," said another Swedish fan.
    A victory for either side on Saturday will move them to within touching distance of the quarter-finals; with a place in the last eight guaranteed for the victors should Greece's late kickoff against Russia end in a draw.
    Spain hopes to follow up their opening 4-1 win over Russia with a second victory that might be enough to send them through with a game to spare.

    "3-1. We are behind you," predicted one young Spanish fan.
    Spain vs. Sweden is due to kick off at 1600GMT.
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