Iceland’s Viking fans tell Three Lions supporters ‘we prefer hugs to hooliganism’
After surviving Russian Ultras, England supporters now have encounter with Euro 2016's friendliest fans
FOLLOWING the bloody 'Battle of Marseille' England's loyal following now have a very different encounter - with Europe's friendliest fans.
Roy Hodgson's Three Lions meet Iceland tomorrow night in the exclusive coastal city of Nice - a fortnight after their fans were left battered by Russian ultras.
But the Vikings of Iceland promise the clash will be trouble free as they say they 'prefer hugs to hooliganism'.
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.
And their supporters say they plan to make the most of the experience.
After the Group F tie with Hungary 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.
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And they are certainly proving a hit with french locals.
"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.
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.
All eyes will be on England's fans tomorrow as it looks like they will have no one else to blame if there is violence before or after the game.
We just want to hug people, I mean come on, just share the love
Daniel Ma'sson, Iceland fan
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."
The 29-year-old attended the Croatia-Czech Republic tie in Saint Etienne on Friday where Croatian fans fought among themselves and lit flares, forcing a temporary stoppage in play.
"Torches on the pitch, fighting in the stands, that kind of thing is new to us, it was quite shocking to see," he said.
"We just want to hug people, I mean come on, just share the love," said his friend Daniel Ma'sson.
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