Spain and Greece are already busy handling domestic problems (Spain with the struggle for Catalonian independence, Greece with economic issues), and just as they come across bill wurtz's video they get a bit more annoyed.
The comic takes place around 2017 just as bill wurtz was gaining attention for his history video.
P.S. about my Europe map: OH MY GOSH!!! I FORGOT THAT JAN MAYEN EXISTS!!! Don't worry if enough characters get better poses (likely later in the year) then I will update it. (I am forced to place it here since commenting on my fanart does not seem to work.)
The thistle is the emblem of Scotland as a barefoot viking raider cried out in pain as he stood on one, alerting the Scottish army encampment that the Norse army were sneaking up on.