The organization Swedish Handballfans urges supporters to be careful during the men’s EC in handball.
– We urge the fans not to wave Swedish flags, says Tony Sonebäck, board member of Swedish Handball Fans to TV4 Nyheterna.
On Wednesday, the men’s handball EC starts in Germany, and on Thursday, Sweden faces Bosnia & Herzegovina in the German city of Mannheim.
Many loyal Swedish handball supporters plan to be there to cheer on their national team. But the terrorist act in Brussels, where the victims are believed to have been identified by their yellow shirts, means that the organization Swedish Handball Fans is urging the blue-and-yellow supporters to be careful during the championship.
– We urge the fans not to wave Swedish flags, scarves or walk around with Swedish national team jerseys in town, says Tony Sonebäck, board member of Swedish Handball Fans to TV4 Nyheterna.
– You can show that in the stands as much as you want, but not when you’re out on the town, he continues.
Keeps a low profile
Sonebäck says that the organization has usually released information about where the fans live. But due to the terrorist act in Brussels, they intend to be more “withdrawn” and keep a lower profile.
However, he emphasizes that there is no specific threat picture and that he assesses the risk of something happening as low.
– We see no direct risk, but still want to urge caution. Most people look forward to going and cheering on the national team, but we have to take a certain height, he says.
200 registered travelers
On its website, the organization lists a list of preventive measures when traveling abroad.
Currently, there are around 200 travelers registered to be present during the EC in Germany, according to Sonebäck. There is a marginal decrease in the number of travelers compared to previous championships, he adds.
It was before Sweden’s European Championship qualifier against Belgium in October that three Swedes were shot in Brussels when an assailant opened fire with an automatic weapon at Sainctelette square. Two of those shot, a man in his 70s and a man in his 60s, were killed in the attack.