England fans can sense glory
Given the reaction of England fans after their victory over Sweden yesterday, it’s hard to imagine what would unfold should they actually win the World Cup.
The bubbling hype around the Three Lions exploded in Samara, after England’s most convincing performance of the tournament so far.
The Scandinavians are far from a heavyweight team and lack big names, with one Swedish newspaper pointing out their entire squad is worth less in transfer fees combined than England captain Harry Kane.
But they are a tough, resolute unit, who claimed some big scalps both in this tournament (Mexico, Switzerland) and en route to Russia (the Netherlands, Italy) and who historically have been a bogey team for England.
But they were played off the park yesterday, with the final scoreline flattering the team in yellow.
It left England fans delirious, with a mix of disbelief and delight at seeing their team performing with confidence and belief on the big stage.
“This is part of the puzzle, it means at the end, we’re going to win the World Cup,” said Julian, a financial services consultant from Birmingham.
“Absolutely, 100 per cent. I’ve been to five World Cups but never felt there was a really good chance. But this, absolutely.”
“They’ll be going off in England,” agreed daughter Britney, sporting a England-themed Cossack hat.
“We’re going to win the World Cup this year, and that’s it.”
England’s supporters had kept a low profile in Moscow ahead of the second round game versus Colombia.
Many chose not to wear their team shirts until they arrived at the stadium, fearful of any trouble. But that’s disappeared now.
They flooded into Samara, a provincial city on the banks of the Volga that is the home of the Russian space programme.
They were in the bars, restaurants and cafes, with constant renditions of “Football’s Coming Home”, as well as many others, with the pick probably “Oi, Oi, Oi, England’s going to Russia, Oi, Oi, Oi, Drinking all your vodka, Oi, Oi, Oi, it’s coming home again.”
They were also in fine voice throughout the match, virtually nonstop following Harry Maguire’s opening goal late in the first half.
And the developing bond between this squad and the fans was shown after the match, when the players stayed behind to celebrate, with two jumping into the crowd to give away their jerseys.
The fans remained in the stadium for more than an hour after the final whistle, singing and dancing, before they eventually exited the precinct, in high spirits.
“Samara, Samara, we love you Samara,” sung one group, to the tune of the Annie theme song Tomorrow.
Most will head to Moscow today — via bus, train or plane — with thousands more expected to arrive in the Russian capital ahead of Thursday morning’s semifinal against Croatia.