Greenland Flag Displayed at US-Denmark Game Sparks Pro-European Support

During a men’s hockey match between the United States and Denmark at the Winter Olympics in Milan, two fans raised a flag of Greenland. This act was intended as a statement of support for Greenland and Denmark within the context of European solidarity.

Greenland Flag at the Winter Olympics

Vita Kalniņa and her husband, Alexander Kalniņš, both fans of the Latvian hockey team residing in Germany, displayed the Greenland flag during the warm-ups and again when Denmark scored its first goal in the preliminary round. Ultimately, the U.S. team won the match 6-3.

Symbol of European Unity

• Kalniņš emphasized that their display of the flag represented a message of European unity and support for Greenland.
• The couple’s action arose amidst rising Danish national pride, fueled by recent rhetoric from the Trump administration regarding Greenland.

Kalniņš expressed that showing the flag was important for Greenlanders, regardless of their relationship with Denmark or aspiration for independence. They wanted to counter the aggressive stance from the U.S. regarding Greenland’s status.

Flag Restrictions at the Venue

Despite their intention, Kalniņa and Kalniņš faced restrictions from venue staff. They were informed that continuing to display the flag posed safety concerns, citing the potential for aggressive reactions from American fans. The couple complied to ensure they could remain for the game, having already made their point visible to those in attendance.

Political Atmosphere and Sportsmanship

Interestingly, the political context of the match did not penetrate the players’ mentality. Jesper Jensen Aabo, the Danish team captain, reassured that their focus was solely on winning the hockey game against a competitive U.S. team.

• The athletes maintained that external political tensions had no influence on their performance.
• Many fans voiced a similar sentiment that sports should remain separate from politics, emphasizing the spirit of competition.

Fan Reactions

Danish fan Dennis Petersen, with his face painted in the colors of the Danish flag, remarked that the essence of sports transcends political disagreements. An American supporter, Rem de Rohan, echoed this, stating that fans should set aside political issues and enjoy the competition.

This incident underscores the complex intersection of sports and geopolitics, particularly involving areas like Greenland. The Greenland flag’s appearance at the game highlighted European support for the island, promoting unity amidst ongoing political discussions.