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Icelanders crazy about football

CCTV.com

07-03-2016 10:58 BJT

Iceland reaching the quarter-final of Euro 2016 has amazed the world. The small country's football fans are rushing to France to support their beloved team. But many are having to go there without one very important piece of material.

It’s all laughs at Keflavik Airport for this group of Icelanders - they’re part of the lucky few who scored last-minute tickets and flights to Sunday’s Euro 2016 clash. But they certainly won’t be alone. Some 10 percent of the island’s population is already in France to watch their national team make history.

After Iceland’s shocking victory against England, the demand for bookings was so high airlines had to add extra flights. And those heading to Paris aren’t shy about their chances.

Whether in Iceland or France, the first order of business for fans was, of course, getting a jersey. But what do you do when one of the country’s biggest supplier runs out - and the new shipment is stuck in Germany?

Matches were broadcast in a small downtown square at first. Organizers quickly realized they needed an upgrade - as up to 30-thousand people are expected for this match.

"There are of course a lot of football fans but it’s a lot of families. I’ve met people that have never watched football, they don’t like football, but everyone is a football fan in Iceland today," said Gunnar Lar Gunnarsson, Manhattan marketing.

Wales’ surprise victory against Belgium has given Icelanders even more hope that the smallest nations can achieve the biggest dreams.

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