London, June 23 (IANS) Contrasting moods enveloped both banks of the English Channel early Wednesday, a keening wake in France as its team returns vanquished from the football World Cup and an expectant silence in England on the outcome of the decisive match against Slovenia.
An uneasy calm hovered everywhere in England. Idle crowds on the streets, introspection in the pubs, silent prayers in churches. Parliament was no exception where the members’ mood, severely touched by the government’s drastic emergency budget cuts, lifted a bit when Prime Minister David Cameron likened the possibility of fast economic recovery to England’s entry into the pre-quarterfinals – ‘a foregone conclusion’.
The country will screech to a halt nearer to kick off time at 3 p.m. GMT. Many schools and colleges plan to finish a half hour before to give students and teachers enough time to settle down before the telly.
In Leicester, Katie Rush, head teacher at Brookvale High School said: ‘Unfortunately, we don’t have facilities to be able to show the game to all the students so we are closing a few minutes early.’
This, of course, didn’t impress a grandparent, who said: ‘I think it’s disgusting. We were fined 100 pounds for taking our grandchildren on a family holiday and now they want to let them out early for a football match.’
Not much business is expected to be transacted in parliament during match time. Bankers and other professionals will have their lunch breaks later than earlier. Restaurateurs, like Mohammad Osman of Whitechapel in London, are closing down till evening, ‘not expecting any customers till the match is over’.
More St George’ Crosses came up on roundabouts in English towns and villages Tuesday than all the previous days put together. In Berkshire, Stephen Wood, a student, is standing guard all of Wednesday to ensure that vehicles don’t tread on the cross. ‘It will be a bad sign for our team.’
Many churches tolled their bells as the faithful prayed for an English victory. Columnist Mick Brown of The Telegraph couldn’t resist writing: ‘Football as, we know, is a religion, but whose side is God actually on? Not England’s, it seems.’
A British bishop has penned a special prayer in the hope that divine intervention can help England rediscover their World Cup form. Nick Baines, Anglican Bishop of Croydon in south London wrote: ‘God, who played the cosmos into being, please help England rediscover their legs, their eyes and their hunger: that they might run more clearly, pass more nearly and enjoy the game more dearly. Amen.’
The Asian community is not far behind, dredging up support for the team. Amrit Parmar, an artist from Thurmaston in East Midlands, has carved out faces of Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard on water melons. They will be on display till ‘we win the Cup’, he asserts.
Last but not the least, the punters are keeping their fingers crossed too. Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: ‘It’s make or break time for the Three Lions and Capello. Punters are not confident- the pre-tournament optimism is a distant memory.’
England are 11/1 to win the World Cup — the biggest price offered about Fabio Capello’s men and a far cry from the low of 5/1 immediately after December’s finals draw. For Ladbrokes, it’s 4/9 for England, 6/1 for Slovenia and 10/3 for a draw.
The other major betting agents have finalized their odds. At WilliamHill, the odds are 1/2 for an English victory, 3/1 for a draw and 6/1 for a Slovenian victory. Agent PaddyPower has these odds: England: 4/9, Draw: 3/1, Slovenia: 7/1.
There are a number of bookmakers offering specials on England vs Slovenia. 888Sports are offering all new customers a ‘risk free’ 20 pounds bet on England vs Slovenia. Place a 20 pounds bet and if England wins, you win but if it loses, 888Sport will refund your stake.
Bet365 are refunding all losing correct score, first/last goal scorer, score-cast and half-time/full-time bets on the match if it ends in a 0-0 draw, as part of their ‘bore draw’ promotion. Bluesq will refund all losing first/last goal scorer, correct score and score-cast bets on England vs Slovenia if the match finishes goal-less.
(Venkata Vemuri can be contacted at venkata.v@ians.in)
