Launching fireworks outside a team’s hotel before their big game is a common tactic seen around the world. One of the most iconic instances of this was when Iranian fans threw a party outside the hotel where Portugal’s national team was staying for the 2018 World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo asked for some sleep.
Portugal plays Iran today. Last night Iranian fans partied outside the Portuguese hotel waking up CRISTIANO RONALDO. This is amazing.pic.twitter.com/VdrQbUF0pv
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) June 25, 2018
The fireworks strategy was employed Wednesday night by two different sets of fans across Europe with varied success. Galatasaray fans disturbed Barcelona’s players with a plethora of fireworks to keep the Spanish giants awake ahead of the two teams' Europa League Round of 16 meeting.
UEL. 17.03.2022
Galatasaray - Barcelona.
In the video, Galatasaray fans with fireworks in front of the hotel with FC Barcelona players. The situation took place early this morning at 03:46 am.#UEL pic.twitter.com/mmtYAeEa8x— HooligansTV (@HooligansTV_eu) March 17, 2022
FC Copenhagen fans need to take notes. The club’s fans tried to pull off the same stunt with PSV’s players the night before a Europa Conference League game. The fans believed that PSV was staying at the Radisson Blue hotel, but instead they only disturbed some random people sleeping. At least the fireworks were impressive.
PSV’s social team couldn’t help but poke fun at the mix-up and tweeted a hilarious meme of the actual hotel the team was staying at.
— PSV (@PSV) March 17, 2022
The two teams played an exhilarating first leg that ended in a 4-4 draw. Even if PSV doesn’t win on the day, they at least got this massive “W” in the social media world.