The Canadians are not afraid, on and outside the stadium, in the first football victory in Europe in 14 years

Chris Jones in Bucharest with Men’s football team in Canada, where he continues to prepare for the FIFA World Cup next year.

There is more than one way to measure dedication. For Voygeurs, most Canadian football supporters, are sometimes measured by miles. On Friday night in Bucharest, it was better measured in fear.

On Friday, about 30 members arrived early in the national scene to watch Canada’s men on Romania in a supposed friendly. They sat together in a corner of the upper tributaries, surrounded by rulers in green neon, and black security.

In Europe, with its long history of football violence, fans are always separated from the supporters of the house. However, the gap appeared in particular on Friday, given the small number of Canadians, and thousands of empty seats around them. I felt a little dramatic, like the rioters theater.

Watch | 3-0 win the first in Europe since 2011:

But it seems that the fire of the vacant sections between the Canadians and the 25,000 Romanians are more necessary after he scored visitors in the 11th minute, then again on 22, and finally they got a ruthless victory 3-0, the first for men in Europe since 2011.

Alex Hu, the 56 -year -old leader at the Canadian Mission, made a long trip from Ottawa, connected to Paris. In its history from Vandum – the team has followed since 1984 – he struggled to summon a more strange destination. Mexico and Honduras were more reliable. Romania was more mysterious.

“This is very high there,” he said.

Voygeurs received a special symbol for tickets, and unusually sharing them with non -members to ensure that all Canadians present may sit together. Waiting before the match, Stray fans started immigration from other seats to the relative security of small numbers. A few in the Friends and Family Department in the lower vessel also split their way.

During a pre -game gathering in a pub in the old town of Bucharest, trips crossed the paths with the frightening Roman crumbs – hardline fans wearing black outfit that make them resemble the rogue police. There was a breach of anxiety before the ultrasound was skipped.

He said, “We have looked a little.” “But what would they do? Hit a handful of Canadians?”

After that moment on almost friction, he said that tonight was a festive. Ultrasound was on the other side of the field, at the field level. The Romans were sitting near the Canadian unity mostly of families, warm and wicked. Some looked and smiled while the Canadians were to tie the hymn without shame. “Zero hostility,” he said.

At the end of the first half, the stadium broadcaster in English asked one of the Canadians to submit a report to the security checkpoint. He left his driver’s license, it turns out.

It was not difficult to find. The three goalkeepers in Canada – beginners Maxim Kribo, Din Saint Claire and Jayden Hepbert – were the first to go out for warm up, and they immediately discovered their handcuffs from supporters, and raised their hands in applause.

By the time when the rest of the Canadian team came out, the loudspeakers on the field were escalating, and the fans’ chants did not reach the field. Then the Romanians appeared, and the fighting appeared on Dressel.

It was before Jonathan David opened the scoring, and silenced most of the stadium. Just Canadians – now perhaps 100 powerful, they scream, “Canada! Canada!” – Make any kind of noise. Ali Ahmed left the subsequent press and theft of the home crowd is quieter.

By the time Niko Sigur scored a great third in the 77th minute, the Romans began to take their vacation. The broadcaster asked the Canadians to stay for 15 minutes after the final whistle, for safety. He didn’t need it, not really. They did not want the party to end.

A few police arrived, which led to the blocking of the committee that led to flights with plastic shields. But the Canadians still in their seats remained happy and unaware, and they waved their flags, while the Canadians saw in the field their historical victory. The final accounting at night was an exciting lesson in the superiority of the quantity.

No one tried to close the distance.