Worried, but relieved, spectators at the Belgium-Sweden Euro 2024 match left the Brussels stadium shortly before midnight after being held there for two-and-a-half hours following the killing of two Swedes in a nearby attack, with the gunman still at large.

"I was stressed, I wondered how we were going to get back, because we came by metro," Manon Antoine, 21, told AFP, accompanied by her brother.

The Swedish supporters were the last to leave the King Baudouin Stadium, where some 35,000 fans of the two teams had turned out for the Euro 2024 qualifier.

Manu Leroy, CEO of the Belgian football association, said police had escorted the Swedish fans and players to "go straight to the airport and leave" because the perpetrator, who was said to be inspired by the Islamic State group, was still on the run and being sought by police early Tuesday.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/al-hilal-defeat-cristiano-ronaldos-al-nassr-in-riyadh-derby-to-remain-to-top-665375">Al-Hilal defeat Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in Riyadh derby to remain to top</a>

According to investigators, the Swedish nationality of the victims was a "probable motivation" of the attacker, according to his video claim. Several Belgian media outlets said the two individuals killed were wearing football shirts belonging to the Swedish national team.

The area around the stadium, located about five kilometres (three miles) from the scene of the attack, was being monitored by police, and traffic past the ground had been halted.

<h2>- 'The safest place' -</h2>

About 10 minutes before kickoff, match organisers learned that "something serious had happened", Leroy said on RTBF.

"At first it was decided that the match should go ahead because the stadium was the safest place for the fans, especially the Swedish fans so that they would be safe," he said. But at halftime, the match was halted with the score at 1-1 and did not restart.

UEFA said the decision to abandon the game was taken after consultation with both teams and the Belgian authorities. "I am terribly sad. We agreed 100 percent not to play the second half because of the conditions and out of respect for the victims and their families," said Sweden coach Janne Andersson, quoted by the Swedish news agency TT.

Held inside the stadium as a security precaution, the fans braved the cold and the anxiety by singing songs in honour of Sweden and chanting "All together, all together!". "I think that we all tried to keep our spirits up. We also sang little songs for the Sweden supporters because it is especially for them that it is a very sad evening," said football fan Jacques Decoq outside the stadium. "We tried to stay warm with a little bit of atmosphere."

Applause also punctuated the long wait. Finally, shortly before midnight, Red Devils fans began to leave the stadium, the authorities having chosen to evacuate the Belgian supporters stand by stand to avoid crowds.

"Everyone remained very calm, the supporters started singing, there was an atmosphere, even if we were a little worried," said Karen, who came from Limburg with her family.

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Worried, but relieved, spectators at the Belgium-Sweden Euro 2024 match left the Brussels stadium shortly before midnight after being held there for two-and-a-half hours following the killing of two Swedes in a nearby attack, with the gunman still at large.

Worried, but relieved, spectators at the Belgium-Sweden Euro 2024 match left the Brussels stadium shortly before midnight after being held there for two-and-a-half hours following the killing of two Swedes in a nearby attack, with the gunman still at large. "I was stressed, I wondered how we were going to get back, because we came by metro," Manon Antoine, 21, told AFP, accompanied by her brother. The Swedish supporters were the last to leave the King Baudouin Stadium, where some 35,000 fans of the two teams had turned out for the Euro 2024 qualifier. Manu Leroy, CEO of the Belgian football association, said police had escorted the Swedish fans and players to "go straight to the airport and leave" because the perpetrator, who was said to be inspired by the Islamic State group, was still on the run and being sought by police early Tuesday. Also Read: Al-Hilal defeat Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in Riyadh derby to remain to top According to investigators, the Swedish nationality of the victims was a "probable motivation" of the attacker, according to his video claim. Several Belgian media outlets said the two individuals killed were wearing football shirts belonging to the Swedish national team. The area around the stadium, located about five kilometres (three miles) from the scene of the attack, was being monitored by police, and traffic past the ground had been halted. - 'The safest place' - About 10 minutes before kickoff, match organisers learned that "something serious had happened", Leroy said on RTBF. "At first it was decided that the match should go ahead because the stadium was the safest place for the fans, especially the Swedish fans so that they would be safe," he said. But at halftime, the match was halted with the score at 1-1 and did not restart. UEFA said the decision to abandon the game was taken after consultation with both teams and the Belgian authorities. "I am terribly sad. We agreed 100 percent not to play the second half because of the conditions and out of respect for the victims and their families," said Sweden coach Janne Andersson, quoted by the Swedish news agency TT. Held inside the stadium as a security precaution, the fans braved the cold and the anxiety by singing songs in honour of Sweden and chanting "All together, all together!". "I think that we all tried to keep our spirits up. We also sang little songs for the Sweden supporters because it is especially for them that it is a very sad evening," said football fan Jacques Decoq outside the stadium. "We tried to stay warm with a little bit of atmosphere." Applause also punctuated the long wait. Finally, shortly before midnight, Red Devils fans began to leave the stadium, the authorities having chosen to evacuate the Belgian supporters stand by stand to avoid crowds. "Everyone remained very calm, the supporters started singing, there was an atmosphere, even if we were a little worried," said Karen, who came from Limburg with her family. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Brussels shooting: Long wait for fans held in stadium after Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier suspended

More than six years after the 2016 Brussels bombings, presiding judge Laurence Massart will formally confirm on Monday all parties to the case, including the defendants and attorneys for the over 1,000 victims of the assaults that the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for. She will next address the jury, which was chosen last week after a 14-hour procedure involving 1,000 Belgians. The French trial for the Paris attacks in November 2015 and the Brussels bombings trial are clearly related. Six of the Brussels defendants were given prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life in France in June, but the Belgian trial will be unique since a jury, not judges, will decide the case.

On March 22, 2016, three bombs were detonated in the city's subway system, killing 15 men and 17 women, many of whom were citizens of countries other than Belgium, including the United States, China, France, Germany, India, Peru, and Poland. Brussels is also the location of the NATO and EU institutions.

All 10 individuals are accused of taking part in terrorist organisation operations, and nine men face life sentences for several killings and attempted murders committed in a terrorist-related context.

Two of them are Osama Krayem, a Swedish citizen suspected of plotting to be a second bomber on the Brussels metro, and Mohamed Abrini, who officials claim travelled to the airport with two suicide bombers but left before setting off his explosives-filled suitcase. Salah Abdeslam, the primary suspect in the Paris trial, is also charged, along with other people who the prosecution alleges harboured or assisted specific perpetrators. One of the 10 people who were allegedly slain in Syria will face an absentee trial.

The defendants have not formally affirmed their innocence or guilt in accordance with Belgian legal practise.

Prior to the beginning of the hearings for the approximately 370 experts and witnesses, prosecutors are anticipated to begin reading from the 486-page indictment on Tuesday.

It is anticipated that the trial in the former NATO headquarters would last seven months and cost at least 35 million euros ($36.9 million).

(With inputs from agencies)

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More than six years after the 2016 Brussels bombings, presiding judge Laurence Massart will formally confirm on Monday all parties to the case, including the defendants and attorneys for the over 1,000 victims of the assaults that the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for.

More than six years after the 2016 Brussels bombings, presiding judge Laurence Massart will formally confirm on Monday all parties to the case, including the defendants and attorneys for the over 1,000 victims of the assaults that the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for. She will next address the jury, which was chosen last week after a 14-hour procedure involving 1,000 Belgians. The French trial for the Paris attacks in November 2015 and the Brussels bombings trial are clearly related. Six of the Brussels defendants were given prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life in France in June, but the Belgian trial will be unique since a jury, not judges, will decide the case. On March 22, 2016, three bombs were detonated in the city's subway system, killing 15 men and 17 women, many of whom were citizens of countries other than Belgium, including the United States, China, France, Germany, India, Peru, and Poland. Brussels is also the location of the NATO and EU institutions. All 10 individuals are accused of taking part in terrorist organisation operations, and nine men face life sentences for several killings and attempted murders committed in a terrorist-related context. Two of them are Osama Krayem, a Swedish citizen suspected of plotting to be a second bomber on the Brussels metro, and Mohamed Abrini, who officials claim travelled to the airport with two suicide bombers but left before setting off his explosives-filled suitcase. Salah Abdeslam, the primary suspect in the Paris trial, is also charged, along with other people who the prosecution alleges harboured or assisted specific perpetrators. One of the 10 people who were allegedly slain in Syria will face an absentee trial. The defendants have not formally affirmed their innocence or guilt in accordance with Belgian legal practise. Prior to the beginning of the hearings for the approximately 370 experts and witnesses, prosecutors are anticipated to begin reading from the 486-page indictment on Tuesday. It is anticipated that the trial in the former NATO headquarters would last seven months and cost at least 35 million euros ($36.9 million). (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Belgium begins historic trial into 2016 Brussels suicide attacks

Watch: WION Dispatch, 18th December, 2018

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Brussels shooting: Long wait for fans held in stadium after Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier suspended

Belgium begins historic trial into 2016 Brussels suicide attacks

Watch: WION Dispatch, 18th December, 2018