Canadians prove fearless, on and off field, in first men's soccer win in Europe in 14 years

Chris Jones is in Bucharest with Canada's men's soccer team as it continues preparations for next year's FIFA World Cup.

There is more than one way to measure devotion. To members of the Voyageurs, the most ardent supporters of Canadian soccer, it's sometimes measured in miles. On Friday night in Bucharest, it was better measured in fearlessness.

On Friday, about 30 members arrived early at the National Arena to watch Canada's men take on Romania in a supposed friendly. They sat together in a corner of the upper reaches, surrounded by stewards in neon green, and security in black.

In Europe, with its long history of football violence, visiting fans are always segregated from home supporters. But the divide seemed especially conspicuous on Friday, given the tiny number of Canadians, and the thousands of empty seats around them. It felt a little dramatic, like hooligan theatre.

WATCH | 3-0 win is Canada's first in Europe since 2011:

But the firebreak of vacant sections between the Canadians and the 25,000 Romanians in attendance seemed a little more necessary after the visitors scored in the 11th minute, and then again in the 22nd, and finally claimed a ruthless 3-0 win, the first for the men in Europe since 2011.

Alex Ho, the 56-year-old leader of the Canadian mission, had made the long trip from Ottawa, connecting through Paris. In his history of fandom — he's followed the team since 1984 — he struggled to recall a more exotic destination. Mexico and Honduras have been more reliably fraught. Romania had more mystery to it.

"This is pretty high up there," he said.

The Voyageurs received a special code for buying tickets, and, unusually, shared it with non-members to ensure that all the Canadians in attendance could sit together. In the wait before the game, stray fans began migrating from other seats to the relative security of even small numbers. A few in the friends and family section in the lower bowl also made their way up.

During a pregame gathering at a bar in Bucharest's Old Town, the Voyageurs had crossed paths with Romania's feared Ultras — hardcore fans who dress in black uniforms that make them look like rogue police. There was a crackle of worry before the Ultras moved past.

"They eyed us a little bit," Ho said. "But what were they going to do? Beat up a handful of Canadians?"

Beyond that moment of semi-friction, Ho said the night had been celebratory. The Ultras were on the opposite side of the stadium, at field level. The Romanians seated closer to the Canadian contingent were mostly families, warm and welcoming. Some looked across and smiled as the Canadians unabashedly belted out the anthem. "Zero hostility," Ho said.

At halftime, the stadium announcer even asked in English for one of the Canadians to report to the security checkpoint. He had left his driver's licence, it turned out.

He wasn't hard to find. Canada's three goalkeepers — starter Maxime Crépeau, Dayne St. Clair, and Jayden Hibbert — had been the first to come out for their warmups, and they instantly spotted their clutch of supporters, raising their gloved hands in applause.

By the time the rest of the Canadian team came out, the stadium's loudspeakers were pounding, and the faint cheers of the fans didn't reach down to the field. Then the Romanians emerged, and the fight over decibels seemed over.

That was before Jonathan David opened the scoring, silencing most of the stadium. Only the Canadians — now maybe 100 strong, shouting "Canada! Canada!" — made any sort of noise. Ali Ahmed's subsequent press and steal left the home crowd even quieter.

By the time Niko Sigur scored a gorgeous third in the 77th minute, the Romanians began to take their leave. The announcer asked the Canadians to stay for 15 minutes after the final whistle, for safety's sake. He didn't need to, not really. They didn't want the party to end.

A few more police arrived, blocking the concourse that led to the Voyageurs with plastic shields. But the Canadians still in their seats remained happy and oblivious, waving their flags while the Canadians on the field saw out their historic victory. The night's final accounting was a rousing lesson in the superiority of quality over quantity.

And nobody tried to close the distance.