Fans raise the Greenland flag in protest of the United States’ Olympic hockey victory over Denmark
The flag was raised enthusiastically after Denmark took an early lead. However, the United States returned to Win the game 6-3.
Vita Kalinita and her husband, Alexander Kalinich, fans of the Latvian hockey team who live in Germany, raised the large Greenland flag during warmups and again when the Danish team scored the opening goal in their preliminary round match against the United States, which they eventually beat Denmark 6-3.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
American Brady Tkachuk, right, challenges Denmark’s Oliver Bjorkstrand during a men’s ice hockey preliminary round match at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter David Gosek)
“We are Europeans, and I think we as Europeans should stick together,” Kalnis told the Associated Press.
“It is the people of Greenland who decide what will happen with Greenland, but as it stands now, Greenland is part of the Danish Kingdom, and since Greenland is part of Denmark, as in this case, we support both countries against the United States.”
“It doesn’t matter what sport it is – it could be tennis, figure skating, ice hockey, football – it has nothing to do with politics. … They are athletes, not politicians,” said Dennis Petersen, a Danish fan of the game.
“I think this is the time for people to let go of that and compete country by country and have fun,” said Rem de Rohan, an American fan of the game. “We love rooting for each country that has been here.”
Fans on social media had their own reactions to the flag display and the match result.
“Now that the USA leads 4-2, can we bet that if the USA wins the match, Denmark will give up Greenland?” one fan wrote in response to the flag.
One fan wrote: “Team USA won, are we going to get Greenland now?”
USA player Jack Eichel, second right, celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during a men’s ice hockey preliminary round game against Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter David Gosek)
Another fan similarly said: “How did that happen? We won, we’ve got Greenland now.”
Some American conservative influencers used the US victory as a springboard to make viral jokes about the annexation of Greenland.
A comeback victory for the United States looked uncertain early in the game.
After trailing 2-1 in the first half, the United States dominated the attack to beat Denmark 6-3 on Saturday in the second group. Olympic Games Milan Cortina.
The Americans scored three unanswered goals to open the second period, as Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), and Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights) put the 4 Nations champions into the net.
Both sets of brothers on the team — Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Jack and Quinn Hughes — each earned a point in the contest. Fourteen players earned points for the Americans with a different goal each time the light bulb was lit.
The Americans shot 47 shots on goal, compared to 21 for Denmark.
The United States ends Sunday’s preliminary play with a score Match against Germany 3:10 PM ET. The Americans will once again be heavy favorites, and a win would put them into the knockout stage.
The Americans could also qualify directly for the knockout stage with an overtime loss. With a loss in regulation, their fate will be decided by Canada’s match against France and the points difference with Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
But as the favorite against a German team with only eight NHL players, the United States may have nothing to worry about.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter
Post Comment