Iraqis Celebrate Football Triumph In Stockholm
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The Local (Färögatan, Sweden), July 29, 2007
Hundreds of Iraqi exiles poured on to the streets of Stockholm on Sunday to celebrate their team’s Asian Cup victory over Saudi Arabia.
With Iraqi flags draped from windows, the fans screamed their joy after their country’s footballers beat the Saudis 1-0 in Jakarta to win a first continental crown and bring a rare piece of good news to war-ravaged Iraq.
Thousands of fans took congregated in the central square of Sergels Torg, waving Iraqi flags and cheering. Cars passing through the streets sounded their horns in celebration.
“We are really proud,” said one man who joined friends in the city centre.
“This shows what our country can do when we are united.”
Sweden is home to 80,000 Iraqis, the largest number in Europe.
(Posted on July 30, 2007)