The Irish Football Association (IFA) praised Irish supporters for being among the best in the world. Those of you who watched the game between Spain and Ireland (4-0) were surely surprised to hear Irish fans singing (The Fields of Athenry" even when their team was losing 4 - 0, which meant Ireland was out of the Euro 2012.

But why do Irish fans sing a song that's not the official anthem? I must admit there's a bit of speculation in my answer, but I guess singing a song of defeat and loss yet full of dignity is very much related to Irish history of oppression, struggle and resistance.

"The fields of Athenry" is a song about an Irish man in the great irish famine who was arrested for stealing British corn for his starving family. He was caught, found guilty and sent to Botany Bay, Australia. The Irish have gone through a long time of oppression, marginalisation, famine and colonisation but also of freedom and independence and this song reminds Irish that, even in defeat there is dignity and pride for those who pursue freedom.