BBC Newsline Special - The Fans in France

That was some trip.

# Wham, bam, mon chat splash

# Git sur mon lit a bouffe sa langue en buvant, Tronc,

# Mon whisky quand moi peu dormi, vide,

# Et brim, j'ai du dormir dans la gouttire

# Ou j'ai eu un flash!

# Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!

# Ca plane pour moi!

# Ca plane pour moi

# Ca plane pour moi... #

# Faire le grand voyage

# Partir avec toi

# Au royaume des mirages

# Ou l'amour est roi

# Faire le grand voyage

# Les yeux pleins d'azur

# Fixes vers des rivages,

# Luisants de futur

# Renier la parole qui me lie ailleurs

# Pour l'eternite au cours d'une erreur

# Mordre du printemps

# En guise d'automne

# De nos destins! #

MUSIC: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond

For the first time in 30 years,

Northern Ireland are back in the big time.

# Where it began

# I can't begin to knowing

# But then I know it's growing strong

# Was in the spring

# And spring became the summer

# Who'd have believed you'd come along? #

In many ways, it's the perfect location for the fans.

Plenty of accommodation. Have a look.

Hotel after hotel after hotel.

Lots to see, lots to do.

And in terms of the match on Sunday, the stadium,

it's only 15 minutes away.

THEY CHANT

Well, the Northern Ireland fans are only here to party, you know? And that's it.

They're a bit boisterous, a bit loud at times, you know?

But they're here for a party and a good drink, you know?

-But they'll not cause no harm.

-So what have you brought with you?

About 15 Northern Ireland tops! And a few other T-shirts,

one pair of jeans, a load of flags and scarves.

And some euros.

Na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na-na-na!

Na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na-na-na!

Until Northern Ireland get knocked out, I'll not go back.

So if my boss in work's listening, Callum, I won't be home

until Northern Ireland are out!

The Poland match isn't until Sunday, what are you going to do until then?

Well, we're going to get something to eat here, we're going to go

and get a few drinks and then we'll hit the beach.

We're going to get the six-packs out here and enjoy ourselves.

# Everywhere we go!

# Everywhere we go!

# It's the Ulster boys, making all the noise

# Everywhere we go! #

-It's two-man, but you can fit five.

-You can fit five?

How have you found the whole camping experience?

-Well, excellent so far.

-It's something different, isn't it?

-Ask us tomorrow morning.

-Yeah.

Maybe ask us in about a week and then we'll tell you.

-Lovely so far, but probably at the end of it, that'll be camping done.

-Yeah.

-So will we meet up at the end of it all?

-Uh-huh.

-Absolutely.

-Absolutely.

See you in Paris!

So you made it?

I banged it a couple of times, round on the hairpins

and stuff was hanging off, so we've had to screw it back on,

but, yeah, we're here. We're all buzzing.

MUSIC: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes

COMMENTATOR: 'Fittingly, it's going to be the captain, Stephen Davies

'who has the honour of kicking a ball at a major tournament

'for Northern Ireland for the first time in 30 years.'

# A seven nation army couldn't hold me back

# They're going to rip it off

# And the message coming from my eyes says leave it alone. #

CHEERING

'One-nil to Poland.'

The way it's set out, you only need to win one game,

so realistically, we've still a chance.

It's always going to be a hard game, the first one.

I actually fancied us to get a draw for the first one, you know what I mean?

But the next one... We need three points, no matter what.

-If you leave aside the result, what was the atmosphere like?

-Brilliant.

Brilliant atmosphere. Just all the fans, there was no segregation.

Polish, Northern Ireland fans, all in the same boxes, same walkways,

sitting beside each other.

A brilliant craic, it was unbelievable.

'Oh, yes, oh, yes, oh, yes!'

In the French capital,

the Republic's fans were gathering for their opening match.

We're here to enjoy ourselves.

It's Northern Ireland, it's us, we're all here having a party. And that's it.

Major tournaments are nothing new for their fans.

Four years ago, their Euro campaign had been a disaster,

but this time, hopes were high.

'Now Coleman.

'Checks back. Will he go again? He does go again.

'He crosses back to the edge of the penalty...'

CHEERING

'Oh, yes, oh, yes, oh, yes!'

'Could've gone in... there comes a ball.

'Fantastic technique, that is. Oh, what a lovely strike!'

'Look at that.

'Unbridled joy.'

'Larsson was there behind him.'

'Swedish delight, Irish despair!'

1-1 draw is as good as anything.

You're still in it. You're still in it.

Started at 3-0, finished 1-1. Come on!

For Northern Ireland, the moment of truth.

A must-win game against Ukraine.

# Freed from desire

# Mind and senses purified

# Freed from desire, mind and senses purified

# Freed from desire, mind and senses purified

# Freed from desire... #

'McCauley! Gareth McAuley at the front post!'

The fans trying to get Northern Ireland over the line.

McGinn! Niall McGinn

who should be all doled out.

Tonight, they are the Kings Of Lyon.

Absolutely fantastic. Over the moon.

I mean, it's a feeling that people felt 30 years ago in Spain

and now it's bringing it back to another generation.

So what it must be like back home is...

I'm sure they're all as proud and happy as we are out here.

-What's your message to the folks back home?

-We're not coming home, Maggie.

You'll see me in about three weeks.

# We're not going home. We're not going home.

# We're not going We're not going We're not going home. #

Yeah.

I came all the way from Vietnam.

It cost me £1,000.

It was worth every penny.

-From Vietnam?

-From Vietnam. Every penny.

£1,000. Unbelievable.

It was quite a night.

Northern Ireland's next match was in Paris

but first, some decided to return to the seaside.

We're heading back down to Nice.

We've been based there the entire time and we all like the sunshine.

It's a bit like a big Portrush.

I got a good Belfast tan.

-There's nothing else I can really say.

-Are you sore?

-Very much so.

-Very much so.

-Did nobody ever say to you?

Well, look, I had factor 5,000 on, so I did,

but as you know us Northern Irelanders still have the white skin. we still burn.

# It's the Ulster Boys Making all the noise Everywhere we go. #

A 400 mile trek from Paris to Bordeaux for the Republic's

fans but some travelled in style from South Armagh

in a specially adapted double-decker.

Like all great stories, it started in the pub and we were just

-talking about it and it just accumulated from that, didn't it, really?

-Yeah.

It went a bit viral.

She's flying. Touch wood we have had no problems so far.

-What sort of speed are you doing?

-40 miles.

It's slow, I know, but it's getting us there.

The craic's good. It's taking us a couple of hours more than what it should

but it doesn't bother us to tell you the truth. You don't feel it.

The Bordeaux bars didn't know what hit them

apart from one pub owner who knew exactly what to expect.

I left Belfast 40 years ago, lost my accent after about a year

and a half.

So I've been living in France now. 36 years in Bordeaux.

I've had the pub. This is 23 years.

So I'm in an unusual situation because I'm supporting three teams.

I had the Irish ambassador and I said,

"Do you ever wonder why there's a number three in the Irish jersey?"

There's a number three on it because I'm supporting

Northern Ireland, Southern Ireland and the team that's playing England. All right?

# Always look on the bright side of life

# Do do do do do do do do. #

Come on, Belgium. Come on, Belgium.

Carrasco wants it. Lukaku gets it. Could be a chance. And it's a goal.

Witsel with the header. 2-0.

Belgium threatening a third goal.

Lukaku. It must be three.

It is.

They've been well beaten here by the Belgians in Bordeaux.

But Bordeaux may be remembered more for what happened off the pitch.

This midnight singsong captured by BBC Newsline cameraman

Phil Hilditch went viral on the internet.

# Stand up for the French police. #

# Go home for the French police

# Go home for the French police. #

-CROWD SINGING:

-# Stand up for the French police. #

And as well as charming the police,

they stunned the locals by clearing up after their street party.

Then showed their softer side with a lullaby to a baby on a train.

# Twinkle twinkle Little Star

# How I wonder what you are. #

Shhhhh!

At the same time, the Northern Ireland fans were setting France

alight with Will Grigg's On Fire

and everyone else was joining in.

-CROWD SINGS:

-# Will Grigg's on fire, your defence is terrified.

-CROWD SINGS:

-# Will Grigg's on fire, na na na na na na na na na na na. #

# Mais je vis a Paris

# Chez Papa et Maman

# Je dois gagner ma vie

# Ca va durer longtemps

# Mais je vis a Paris

# Chez Papa et Maman

# Je dois gagner ma vie... #

With hotel rooms in Paris booked out,

many fans stayed outside the city but what's this?

The lads who vowed to spend the entire tournament in tents were now in a luxury caravan.

So, boys, I met you in Nice last week.

You were the kings of camping.

What went wrong?

We lost our ground.

We were a little bit complacent about the weather.

We thought that we were coming to France in June,

it was going to be lovely sunshine and to be fair,

for the first ten days or so, we loved the camping.

It was something different,

and we arrived in Paris and it was bucketing down.

So we decided that we would get ourselves a caravan.

We travelled all day and we were grumpy, our pitch

was beside the Seine where it had been flooding so we...

If you hadn't been filming us walking into this,

you'd have believed we've been camping for the whole of our lives.

-I almost celebrated it as much as that McAuley goal.

-Yeah, yeah.

I did.

I thought it was off.

Well, the atmosphere is actually quite family...

It's all a big family in sports

so they're all supporters of their own clubs of course.

Actually, it started off with the Irish.

Loads, big groups, everybody knows each other.

We had the English, people from Austria now, a lot of German also.

How's the caravan doing?

The roof's near caved in.

Hopefully, we'll get home next week.

Well, we're home Wednesday so...

Hopefully, fingers crossed.

We can win the Germans and then get home and...

What do you think of the Northern Ireland fans?

Best fans. Best fans.

Best fans here in France.

Best fans...

CHEERS

It's a German squad worth nearly £500 million

against a Northern Ireland 23 worth on paper right now.

5% of that, but to the supporters here, those players walking out

now will be worth more than all the money in the world.

The match against world champions Germany was always going to be tough.

But to progress to the knockout stages, Northern Ireland knew they just needed to avoid a heavy defeat.

And fortunately, they had just the man for the job.

That's a lovely ball through looking for Muller. Good save by McGovern.

And the goalkeeper has blocked it.

They find Muller. Khedira was there.

Here's Ozil for Germany.

Gomez, lovely football.

Muller.

Back to Gomez.

Germany lead.

Terrific goalkeeping again

by Michael McGovern saving Northern Ireland.

Superb. Absolutely top drawer.

And shoots, good save by the goalkeeper.

Gets a cross in towards the back post. Looking for Gomez.

And again, pushed away by McGovern.

Michael McGovern is having the game of his life.

You're playing the world champions.

You know, you're not playing Jimmy Connor in Antrim. You're playing the world champions.

It could have been better, it could have been worse.

We're hoping we've done enough to get in third place

and keep everybody happy.

Good evening. Northern Ireland are through to the last 16

of the European Football Championships.

This was the scene with the Northern Ireland fans in Paris tonight,

shortly after the news came through.

# We're not going home, we're not going home... #

We've got blood, we've got passion, we've got heart.

We're the only nation in this competition that's got it.

We are the Green and White Army, all the way!

MUSIC: La Foule by Izzy Bizu

Craic's good, everyone's having a good time. Loving it, like.

What we need now is a result.

It is make or break for the Republic here tonight.

Lose and they go home tomorrow.

Win and their Euro adventure continues.

Come on, you boys in green!

It's Shane Nelson from Banbridge,

and you came to France to support the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Supporting both teams in green, indeed.

Obviously, good to see Northern Ireland through already.

We want to follow Wales and England and Northern Ireland

and get the whole way ourselves.

Where does your heart lie, Northern Ireland or the Republic?

Most definitely, the South it is, the Republic.

But definitely back the Green and White Army

as well, no problem.

-Are there many like you?

-I hope so.

More than I think people let on, I think so.

Definitely changing times, as far as I'm concerned.

A couple of years ago, maybe there would have been certain songs

sang on both sides that wouldn't have welcomed the other.

I think that's changed now.

I put a little double on before I came away.

Both the North and South to qualify in their group.

Tonight the boys in green are going to do it.

They're going to join the Green and White Army in the next round

and I'm going to be 200 quids in.

And the whole of Ireland's going to have a party

in Paris at the weekend.

THEY CHEER

-COMMENTATOR:

-The Republic of Ireland must win to stay in.

Italy already guaranteed as group winners.

There is a chance here, Hoolahan for Ireland!

On the rebound.

Has the chance gone, the chance of his life?

McGeady.

Hoolahan.

Long on the edge of the box.

In it comes now. Brady!

Republic of Ireland score!

The place is going mad!

Robbie Brady, 85 minutes gone.

The Republic of Ireland have saved themselves.

Brady's bunch have taken down Italy.

For all of you out there from Donegal to Cork,

who've sung the songs of New York,

who've sung the songs of Stuttgart,

make up your songs anew!

Joy for Roy Keane and Martin O'Neill.

A wonderful and emotional night.

Qualification then for both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

But it wasn't just the teams

who were making the headlines in the French newspapers.

It was also the fans.

"The atmosphere? A big thank you."

"The football that we all love."

"For creating atmosphere, Ireland is united."

The fans certainly made a big impression in France.

So much so, that they won

the prestigious Medal of the City of Paris.

But the tournament was tinged with some sadness.

The death of two fans, Robert Rainey in Lyon

and Darren Rodgers in Nice.

Tributes were paid by the team, by their friends and by fans.

Facing France in Lyon for a place in the quarterfinals -

quite a challenge, but the Irish were up for it.

You always believe, but it will be difficult.

It's not easy playing the host nation.

But we've got the spirit, the boys must be ecstatic, as well as us.

So anything's possible.

They're never going to believe us, we're going to beat the French!

TO THE TUNE OF GO WEST: # Stand up for the French police

# Stand up for the French police... #

Ward.

Early cross in.

Can it come to Long on the half-turn?

Can he get the shot away? It's a penalty for Ireland!

It's a penalty for Ireland!

They got tangled up with each other's feet.

Paul Pogba - in that area, that sort of challenge, so risky.

Brady, to stun the French, the hosts?

Yes, he does!

Went in off the post, doesn't matter.

France 0, the Republic of Ireland 1. A stunning start.

Looking for Giroud, looking for Griezmann.

Looking for the equaliser and they've got it!

In space to finish it.

It's all turned around.

Antoine Griezmann.

No way forward for the Republic of Ireland.

The dream ends right here.

France, as a nation, celebrates.

Ireland crestfallen, but they have done their country

so very, very proud.

Disappointed, but hey, that's the way it goes.

We're here to enjoy ourselves.

Unfortunately we got beat. That's it.

Great fun.

We loved the journey from start to finish and good luck to the French.

Many of these fans have been in France for two weeks.

They were in Nice, they were in Lyon, they were in Paris,

they went home and now they're back in Paris for the game

in two hours' time against Wales.

We'll see very soon whether it's been worth it.

CHEERING

# He's not going, he's not going, he's not going home

# He's not going home, he's not going home

# He's not going, he's not going, he's not going home... #

CHEERING

-COMMENTATOR:

-What a moment for everybody involved.

In some ways, it doesn't quite feel real.

It's a major tournament.

It's Wales. It's Northern Ireland. It's in Paris.

Opportunity here for Dallas.

He meant it well and it was saved well by Wayne Hennessy.

Bale's ready to hit it.

Bale brings the save from McGovern.

Bale with another wicked delivery,

and it's turned into his own net by the unfortunate Gareth McAuley.

They were together and just that bit stronger than Northern Ireland,

who now must dare to dream of another day.

We were the better team.

Absolutely distraught. Like, they had nothing.

Even Gareth Bale was woeful. Their fans were more than woeful.

About two songs and that was it.

It's been fantastic. I've been at all four matches.

The fans have been wonderful.

The French people have been very welcoming and appreciative.

The team has played very well.

We went from Normandy to Lyon,

Lyon to Cannes,

to Nice, to Lyon, to the Somme,

to Paris, Paris back and back to Paris again.

It's been fantastic.

We lived the dream. We lived the dream.

Just being here was like us winning it.

Fantastic.

We are the best. We are Northern Ireland.

WELSH FANS SINGING

Is that the first time I've heard them singing today?

The Welsh fans are enjoying the moment.

They're painting the town red.

It could all have been so very different.

But as they say here in France, c'est la vie.

MUSIC: Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf

# Non, rien de rien

# Non, je ne regrette rien

# Ni le bien, qu'on m'a fait

# Ni le mal, tout ca m'est bien egale

# Non, rien de rien

# Non, je ne regrette rien

# C'est paye, balaye

# Oublie

# Je me fous du passe

# Avec mes souvenirs

# J'ai allume le feu

# Mes chagrins, mes plaisirs

# Je n'ai plus besoin d'eux

# Balayees les amours

# Avec leurs tremolos

# Balayes pour toujours

# Je repars a zero

# Non, rien de rien

# Non, je ne regrette rien

# Ni le bien, qu'on m'a fait

# Ni le mal, tout ca m'est bien egale

# Non, rien de rien

# Non, je ne regrette rien

# Car ma vie, car mes joies

# Aujourd'hui

# Ca commence avec toi. #