Tottenham Fans Celebrate Europa League Victory in Bilbao with Unique Trumpet Performance
In Bilbao, Spain, Tottenham Hotspur fans celebrated their team's triumph in the Europa League final, marking the end of a 17-year trophy drought since their last victory in the 2007-2008 League Cup. On May 23, fans gathered near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a jubilant parade, with local media estimating around 150,000 attendees.
The excitement among Tottenham supporters was palpable even before the match, as they filled the streets of Bilbao from May 20, singing chants and rallying for their team's success. The atmosphere was electric, with the white wave of Tottenham fans overshadowing the red presence of Manchester United supporters.
Among the fans, a standout figure emerged: 24-year-old trumpeter Son Jang-won (손장원), a graduate of Seoul National University’s music program, who is preparing to study at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre. He was invited by Kim Dong-jun, the head of the football YouTube channel 'Shoot for Love', to perform the team's anthems in Bilbao.
The idea turned out to be a hit. On May 20, Son played the iconic Tottenham anthem 'Oh When the Spurs Go Marching In' from a second-floor balcony, prompting a spontaneous sing-along from fellow fans, transforming Bilbao into a scene reminiscent of North London.
After his performance, fans called for an encore, and Son delighted them with additional songs, including 'Nice One Sonny' and 'Can’t Smile Without You, Tottenham'. His trumpet melodies drew in more Tottenham supporters, and a local resident even offered their balcony for Son to perform from, creating a romantic moment that quickly spread across social media.
Fans cheered for Son, taking photos and celebrating together. One enthusiastic supporter even lifted him onto their shoulders while he played, and upon discovering that Son shares the same surname as star player Son Heung-min (손흥민), they affectionately dubbed him 'Little Sonny'.
Son's trumpet continued to resonate on match day, May 21, as he performed at a fan event in a park where 20,000 Tottenham supporters had gathered. He was invited on stage by the club, and fans flocked to him for high-fives and selfies, with some older fans expressing their gratitude with tears in their eyes.
On that day, Tottenham secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, making Son a 'victory icon' among the fans. Reflecting on his experience, Son shared, "I naturally became a Tottenham fan because of Son Heung-min, and I was thrilled to participate in this opportunity. I was nervous about performing in front of so many people, but the fans' enthusiasm moved me deeply."
Having witnessed Tottenham's win at San Mamés Stadium, Son described it as his first live football match. He concluded, "I had the best performance of my life over the past two days, and I will truly miss the passionate Tottenham fans who responded so warmly to my playing."
