World Cup Fever!

10 June 2006. The nation is gripped as Beckham, Rooney, Owen, Gerrard and the England team begin their World Cup campaign.

It's the kind of atmosphere that defines a summer: a hot, sunny day with a positive feeling in the air. Flowers are in bloom. People are smiling. Groups of friends and families are enjoying the warm weather, sitting in the parks and cafes, or walking around the shops in the city centre.

 

Today, however, there is something else. There is a feeling of excitement all around which you can almost touch. It is the day of England's first match in the 2006 World Cup.

 

Here in the south of the England, the excitement is very visible. England flags are hanging from windows and waving from cars, children are wearing face paints, and it seems every other person is wearing an England shirt. Everywhere you look, there is red and white.

 

A great place to watch a match like this is a pub with a big screen. After soaking up the atmosphere in the streets, I make my way to the Varsity, one of Southampton's most popular pubs.

 

 

Listen to the crowd!

I walk into the pub half an hour before, and the atmosphere is electric. The big screen shows England's greatest goals from previous World Cups, and the crowded pub is alive with chanting and football songs. Englands opponents today are Paraguay, a team which England are expected to beat. I ask a few people if they think England have a good chance of winning the World Cup.

 

"Definitely," replies one fan. "I think we'll play Germany in the second round, knock them out, get to the final, beat Brazil and we're done!"

 

His friend is a little more cautious. "I think we might get to the final but I don't think we'll win it."

 

Another pair of fans are equally divided in their opinions. "It's clear we have a reasonably good team, but I still feel Holland are going to win."

 

There is more optimism from his his friend, however. "I think this year they [England] could do it. I think it's one of the best seasons in terms of the team." It seems generally the country is optimistic and expectations are high.

 

 

The game begins...

As the players walk out onto the pitch there is a roar of excitement from everyone in the pub. Soon, the noise levels rise even more. A David Beckham free-kick creates problems for the Paraguay defence and the unlucky Paraguayan captain scores an own goal, giving England a 1-0 lead. A huge cheer follows! England play very positively for the rest of the first half but can't score another goal.

 

The half-time whistle blows and it's still 1-0 to England. The pub staff play football songs over the sound system instead. There's a real party atmosphere.

 

The second half is less enjoyable for England supporters. Paraguay get stronger and stronger, but to the relief of the fans, there is no change in the score. England win 1-0, and a crowd of people leave the pub in a good mood, chatting, singing and ready to enjoy the sun.

 

As for the predictions about winning the World Cup, it's clear England will have to play better. But this is only the first match, so we'll see!