Hundreds of Swedish football fans are in Manchester to cheer their team on against Manchester City in the Women’s Champions League.
Hammarby are widely known within the women’s game for their large and vociferous fanbase.
Hammarby, who hail from the Sodermalm district in Stockholm, will be cheered on by about 400 away fans when they take on City at the Joie Stadium in east Manchester.
More than 350 Hammarby fans impressed their Catalan hosts last week when they witnessed a 9-0 thrashing by Barcelona.
As their players emerged on to the pitch, the Swedish fans held up green-and-white flags and drowned out their Spanish hosts.
Similarly colourful scenes were expected for Hammarby’s game in Manchester on Tuesday (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Fan Anna Persson travelled to Manchester with her daughter Alexandra Nyreröd.
Proudly wearing a Hammarby scarf, the 50-year-old told North West Tonight: “As her mum I’ve taken her to games since she was a baby.
“The club means a lot to us and my family.
“In Sweden no club has as many fans as this.
“We’d love them to win tonight, but we’ll support them no matter what.”
Alexandra, 27, added: “It’s like a family – it means everything to us.
“Everyone is included – no matter where you’re from, it doesn’t matter who you are, you’re always welcome to the Hammarby family.
“This is bigger than football, it’s about supporting women and the women’s game.”
Gittan Norder said she had been a Hammarby fan since she was 15.
The now 61-year-old said: “To see this support grow over the years, it’s so inspiring to be part of this community.”
Fellow fan Simon Sandstrom, 49, said: “It’s about the atmosphere we create.
“It’s not about the amount of people.
“It started with my daughter – and she wasn’t happy with how little support the team had, so I thought I’ve got to change this.”
Zacharias Nilsson, 25, said: “It means everything to me to be a Hammarby fan.
“It’s my first time in Manchester. The social aspect is the best part but also seeing what we do for the team is also amazing.
“We are making a difference in women’s football and that’s what matters to us.”
