MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands celebrates England victory
'It was better than having sex', said 24 year old computer technician Ben Watson, as the final whistle went on England's 1-0 victory over Argentina.
In Port Stanley, where it is now mid-winter, despite temperatures of minus 5 degrees centigrade, heavy overnight frost and falling snow, a queue had formed in darkness as early as 6-30 in the morning outside the 'Globe Tavern' pub, where the match was being screened 'live'. All wanted the best seats in a pub which is more famous for having the hottest disco in town on Friday and Saturday nights. More than 300 estatic football fans, civilians and military servicemen, stood shoulder to shoulder inside the 'Globe' and roars of 'Rule Britannia' echoed again and again as the tension grew and England came under increasing pressure.
Cries of 'Sea..man, Sea..man' nearly lifted off the low roof of the pub, as the England goal-keeper plucked the ball out of the air, time after time, frustrating the Argentine forwards. Unlike the Nigerian goal-keeper, who 'flapped' at every Argentine cross, Seaman look secure and safe throughout.
For the first time ever in the Falklands, the Justices of the Peace allowed the 'Globe Tavern' proprietor Julie Clark a special licence, which enabled her to open at 7-00 to serve alcohol, tea, coffee and a traditional English breakfast of bacon, eggs and beans.
Ms. Clarke described the result as, 'absolutely fantastic. The most I had hoped for was a draw but a win is just heaven'. 'Everyone played so well, I could not pick out a best player'. On a political note she added, 'It's so sad that some Argentine football players talked of "revenge for the 1982 defeat", as opposed to wanting to win the game for truly sporting reasons'.
Bill Jones from Oldham in England, who is serving with the Royal Navy on board HMS Newcastle, protecting the Falklands waters, described the result as, 'brilliant, just bloody brilliant. 20 years after the conflict (Falklands War) we are here, I could not think of a better place to watch England beating Argentina than in Port Stanley'.
Doctor's wife Sarah Davies, who left her two children aged 5 and 2 years old at home with her husband, at 6-30 in the morning, braved the snow and ice to venture to the Globe to watch the game said. 'It's fantastic, I just can't believe that England has won, I really was afraid of Argentina, but thankfully they had nobody in the front that could put the ball in the net'.
The Globe is decked out in Union flags, streamers and bunting for 3 reasons, according to Ms. Clarke - 'The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, the 20th anniversary of the Liberation of the Falklands by British Troops, which will be commemorated on 14 June, and of course the England v Argentina game'.
With the match kicking off at 7-30 in the morning local time, infant & junior children were allowed to arrive 30 minutes late for school, while the secondary pupils went in early to watch the game on television in their classrooms with their sportsmaster.
32 year old Hattie Lee who is from the north of England but operates a small hotel at Port Howard on West Falklands described the result as, 'amazing. I can't believe we have won. We could have scored several times in the 2nd half, the Argentine defence was slow and caught out, while England's defence stood firm'. Asked about Argentina's performance, she said, 'Batistuta is too old, despite what he thinks. He was the only player to commit serious fouls and could have been sent off for using his elbow. He was clearly frustrated at being kept under control by England's defence. Batigol-less is what we are calling him now'.
Haulage contractor 28 year old Colin 'Tootie' Ford held a bottle of beer aloft saying, 'I am proud to be British. It's one of the greatest days of my life, apart from having my own kids. Danny Mills really made up for his mistake against Sweden, and the Manchester United boys were just outstanding. I could not believe that Beckham put the penalty right down the middle but it was so hard that it could not be saved'. Asked about Argentina's performance, Mr. Ford said, 'They wanted to beat England again so much...all this talk about revenge for '82....I cheered when first of all Batistuta was taken off and then Veron was substituted, that was a victory in itself'. 'I said that if they showed the fighting qualities of the Irish, they could do it, and they did'.
The Falklands National soccer team captain Jimmy Curtis said, 'Rio Ferdinand was awesome and David Beckham excellent'. Asked about the Argentine performance he said, 'The Argentines were beaten at their own game, they like their dirty little tricks, their dives, and today England were ready for that and beat them at their own game, what a beautiful result!'.
Former Royal Marine John Pollard from Leeds, and a Leeds United fan, who settled in the Falklands, paid tribute to Englands back four, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell and Cole. 'They were great, just great'.
Now the pressure is on Argentina to beat Sweden to ensure their qualification, and John Townsend, a British Forces soccer player, who normally spends his time clearing mines left behind by Argentine Forces in 1982, is not confident of their chances. 'Argentina still have a great team, although England were better today, but I can see the Swedes defending just as resolutely as England and getting a draw and that could mean - goodbye Argentina. It's ironic that Beckham, sent off 4 years ago, should score the winning goal today, and it was good to see Simeone congratulate Beckham for converting the penalty'.
As the 300 fans poured outside from the 'Globe Tavern' onto the snowy streets, a large group of British Servicemen, not known for their enjoyment of a 4 months tour in the Islands, held the flag of St. George and sang lustily, 'We love the Falkland Islands, we love the Falkland Islands......'
IT WAS THAT SORT OF DAY.
Patrick Watts ? Port Stanley
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