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England parties after victory
Posted: Saturday June 27, 1998 11:33 AM
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English fans get a little wacky while watching their country play on Friday (AP) |
LONDON (Reuters) -- Soccer-mad England partied
on Friday night after the national team beat Colombia and
cruised into the second stage of the World Cup.
England beat Colombia 2-0 in an easy contest in front of thousands of fans
who overcame difficult ticket arrangements and packed the stadium in the
northern French town of Lens.
Back in England millions more watched on television in pubs and bars across
the country, and at home with family and friends, dining on beer and
take-away pizzas.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a fervent soccer fan, watched the match
on television at the ruling Labor Party's club in his Sedgefield
constituency in northern England.
One of the biggest gatherings of spectators was at the outdoor Glastonbury
rock music festival in the rural county of Somerset where thousands watched
the match on massive screens.
The result brought some cheer to the crowd which was ankle deep in mud
after rain turned the venue into a quagmire.
English fans declared themselves happy with the smooth victory.
"I feel very, very good," said Darren Wagstaff, who watched in south London
with friends.
"Once we'd scored, Colombia were never going to get back into it. It is
partly a relief, but it wasn't a nail-biter, which is rare for an England
match."
Another fan, Martin Brookes, said he was now looking forward to England's
next match against fancied Argentina.
Argentina beat England 2-1 in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals with a
controversial goal by Diego Maradona. England claimed he handled the ball
into the net.
For England's supporters, watching their country play has taken top priority (AP) | |
"We need to take revenge for 1986. Maradona said the hand of God helped him
score that goal, so God owes us one this time," said Brookes.
England's performance was feted by mass circulation tabloids and broadsheet
newspapers alike.
"Magnifique!" declared the Mirror tabloid in a banner headline.
The Daily Star carried the simple front page headline "Sorted."
"Beck on Top" said the top-selling Sun, referring to mid-fielder
David Beckham who scored England's second goal.
The National Grid reported that the surge of electricity at halftime was
enough to boil kettles for two million cups of tea.
After the game, fans braved the chilly waters of the fountains in London's
Trafalgar Square, dancing and splashing in celebration.
Many fans will be richer as well as happier after Friday's match.
"We'll take a seven figure hammering after this, but it will be worth it to
maintain long-term interest among punters in the World Cup," bookmakers
William Hill said in a statement.
Following the match, William Hill cut the odds on England winning the World
Cup to 10/1 from 14/1. But the team is still well behind favorites Brazil on 11/4,
France 4/1
and the Netherlands
on 5/1.
The odds on Argentina lengthened after England's victory to 8/1 from 6/1.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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