Tuesday night was my first night of a six-week trip to Europe, and to start the festivities off right, my traveling pal, Morgan Lashley, and I set out to find a pub to watch England play Sweden in the World Cup.
Wow.
I’ll be the first one to tell you I’m not much of a soccer fan, butnevertheless — wow.
The passion in that pub was unparalleled by anything I’ve seen in America — albeit I don’t cheer for teams with rabid fans like those in the mold of Philadelphia Eagles’ fans or (true) Boston Red Sox fans.
The night started when we met up with former N.C. State softball player Renee LaCroix, who is interning at a London theater. She said she wanted to take us out for our first night in the United Kingdom, and Morgan and I — wide-eyed with awe for this city — kindly took the invitation.
Pub choice No. 1 was a favorite sports pub of locals in South Kennsington, but our group of five had no hope for even getting into it — it was, after all, only an hour before kickoff.
Renee called around and finally got word of a pub still letting people in at 7:30, so we hopped on the tube (the subway) and shot over to that part of town.
It was true. The pub was still letting people in. The only problem is that there was no more room in the pub, or so to my American-fan eyes there was no more room at the pub.
We made it to the pub’s door and saw hundreds of people standing in a bar no bigger than the average McDonald’s. Hundreds of people just standing on top of and crammed next to each other. We shifted and shimmied our way to the bar, where we picked up a round of Strongbow. It was my first Strongbow, but it won’t be the last, my friend.
When the starting line ups came in over the screen, the pub erupted.
“These people get this excited for lineups,” I thought.
Next came the singing of “God Bless the Queen,” and after listening to that mass of men sing whole heartedly and the top of its lungs, I knew watching these people cheer for their team was going to be the highlight of my first night in London.
And it was. England’s first goal on Sweden was followed by such yelling, hugging, clapping and drinking that these two Americans couldn’t help but join in.
Get me another Strongbow.
When we — I now say “we” when I’m referring to England’s football, not soccer, team — scored our second goal, the bar flew into a frenzy. It appeared we had the game won, but a few minutes later, the Swedes tied the match.
Get me another Strongbow.
The game ended in a draw, and Morgan and I stumbled back to our hostelwithout seeing the streets of London flooded with rowdy natives.
The atmosphere in London was something I’ve never seen before. Thesepeople brought a new light to passion I just haven’t seen in the U.S. Isuppose next time I boo some N.C. State athlete for slipping up, I’llthink of how these people treat their athletes and how the athletesrespond to the people.
I have to run because my time on the computer is running out. It cost me£1, which is $1.89 in the United States. I hope it sees the page. Next upfor me is to learn how to play cricket.
And maybe drink another Strongbow.
