Britain will grind to a collective halt this evening as 15 million television viewers retire to their sofas for the opening game of England’s World Cup campaign against the United States, amid signs of a football-driven spending spree ”“ and surprisingly heartfelt Anglo-American sporting rancour.
Kick-off at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenberg between the two sides will presage predicted additional retail sales of nearly £1bn if Fabio Capello’s team manage to progress into the knock-out stage of the tournament, providing the economy with a badly-needed boost which could rise to £2.01bn of extra spending if England reach the final.
It is accompanied by an outbreak of unabashed patriotism, both for and against England, as an estimated three million St George Cross flags, most of them manufactured in China, are draped from windows and clipped to cars.
Half-time entertainment will continue the US-UK battle as Katharine Schori and Rowan Williams wrestle in a tank of imported oil slick. Barack Obama will act as an impartial judge.
Come on England!
1, I would pay big money to see that. I am not a soccer fan, so for those who are I hope it’s a good game and everyone enjoys it.
It’s 1-1 now & memories of Belo Horizonte ’50 are flashing before oldtimers’ eyes. Is the Special Relationship over?
Ah, now they’re bringing out the tank & the bishops are getting in. This could be dirty….
I don’t know international football (soccer) well. I did talk to a professional football official in Africa who had seen the USA play last year and spoke well of them. All even this far into the game (60:00) is good news for the USA.
I’d have to take earplugs to a game. That constant noise would drive me insane.
The US team is doing a great job of keeping Rooney out of the game. The US is playing really well – England are pushing but will be opening themselves to the quick counter attack. Fun game.
Draw! What a shocker. driver8, that’s what the African professional said — the U.S. is capable of playing really well, despite the lack of big names. Excellent goalie, too.
…and Schori and Williams emerged from the oil tank, each claiming a victory. The impartial umpire declared it a draw in favor of the US fighter who had “kicked that limey ***.”