Here we go again: low expectations give way to dreams of glory
Televisions sales rise and bookmakers reflect new mood by cutting odds on England lifting World Cup
EVERYONE had written England off. Even the team’s own manager appeared less than convinced. But after months of doom and gloom, the nation suddenly believes again.
Inevitably perhaps on the eve of England’s first match in the 2018 World Cup, supporters are dreaming of glory.
The odds on England winning the World Cup were dramatically cut from 20-1 a week ago down to 14-1 last night while that telltale barometer of optimism – purchases of new televisions – showed a surge in sales.
In Volgograd yesterday, in the runup to England’s opening game against Tunisia, supporters were starting to wonder if the youngest squad in years could deliver after 52 years of hurt.
“England can definitely win the World Cup,” declared Luke King, 37, from Bournemouth, one of only 2,000 or so fans who had made the trip to the southern Russian city, formerly Stalingrad, for the opener. “It is better we are coming from such a low expectation. We are not normally realistic.”
Adam Haimes, 29, a geologist from Ilminster, Somerset, said: “Certainly the quarter-finals or semi-finals are in our grasp.” Kev Johnson, 45, from Nottingham, at the tournament with his 71-year-old father and his brother, added: “England can definitely win.”
Gareth Southgate, the England manager, has insisted that “we don’t want to inhibit people’s beliefs”, but accepted, with some understatement, that “unfortunately the last couple of tournaments haven’t gone so well for us”.
Last night, after Germany lost 1-0 to Mexico, Gary Lineker, the ex-england forward and Match of the Day host, quipped to pundit Alan Shearer: “Well, Alan. If Germany can lose, surely Eng- land can win.” Responding to a question from a local journalist regarding jokes on social media that the Russian teapot he was presented with in Repino represented his first trophy, Harry Kane, the England striker replied: “I’ve got a lot of scoring trophies in my career. I’d like to be sitting here with a big gold one (the World Cup) in a few weeks.”
Coral, the bookmaker, cut England’s odds on winning the World Cup to 14-1 and made them 4-11 favourites to beat Tunisia. Brazil remain 7-2 favourites.
The British Beer and Pub Association suggested the renewed optimism would trigger what it called “a near £2billion booze-up in pubs and at home”. It reckons 900 million pints – 200 million more than usual – will be drunk over the next month. John Lewis said it sold 140 per cent more big-screen TVS on Thursday to coincide with the start of the tournament compared with the same day last year. It expects more of the same if England win a game or two.
“England can win the World Cup. It is better we are coming from such a low expectation. We are not normally realistic”
For the first World Cup in many years, the England team is taking part without the burden of national expectations weighing heavily on the players’ shoulders. England did not get out of the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and were knocked out of the European Championships in France by Iceland two years ago. However, Iceland have qualified for Russia and their draw with Argentina confirmed that they are no mugs, so England’s humiliation may not have been as abject as it seemed. Most of the teams gathered in Russia look mediocre, so there may yet be something to cheer. With everyone writing England off, now is the time to spring a surprise. They have nothing to lose – except tonight’s opening game against Tunisia, of course. Come on, England!