Thousands of supporters are expected to descend on the area nicknamed “England Square” hoping to see the team reach its first World Cup final in 60 years
England fans are on the beers in Benidorm – with hours to go before kick off in the World Cup semi final.
Bars started to fill up at 2pm (local time) – a good seven hours before Thomas Touchel’s men are due to play Argentina. Thousands of supporters are expected to descend on the area nicknamed “England Square” hoping to see the team reach its first World Cup final in 60 years.
At Uncle Ted’s British Pub England fans are already enjoying a cool beer in the 40C heat while anticipating the game. Gary Carr, from Leeds, said: “I think we’ll win 2-1. This is my first lager of the day. I’ll take a break, but I’ll be back at tea time to get my seat.”
Stoke City fan Anthony Rathbone showed off his England tattoo as he took a sip of his pint. He joked: “I’ve been here since midday, it’s not my first. I might have a nap later, but if I hold up I’ll keep going.” Predicting a 3-1 England win he said Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Nico O’Reilly would be on the scoresheet.”
Friends Liam Allum and Ricky Cropper had jetted out to Spain to help pal Sean Anderson celebrate his 30th. Sean said: “It’s my birthday celebration, we planned it all and were just praying England reach the semi final. We all worked our holidays around it. It’s a double bubble.”
Liam said: “I think it’ll be a close game, 2-2 then penalties. I’ve a horrible feeling that things will go Argentina’s way again, but I hope not.” The other lads were more confident, with Sean predicting 2-0 to England and Ricky saying they’ll sneak it 1-0.
Ricky said they were enjoying a few beers and cocktails ahead of the game: “We’ll carry on through, but we’ll pace ourselves.” Sean chipped in: “It’s part and parcel of being in Benidorm, you’ve got to get on with it.”
Looking forward to the game he said: “It’s coming home. I’m more confident than I was in the Euros. I think we’ve got the edge to get it over the line. England have got the ability to turn it on.”
And if they face Spain in the final Ricky said: “Argentina and a decent side, but so are Spain. It’s not going to be easy, but England are good enough to do it.”
An increased police presence is expected on the streets of the holiday hotspot ahead of the game as part of a huge World Cup security crackdown. A spokesman for Benidorm Town Council confirmed: “Both local police employed by the town hall and National Police will reinforce afternoon and night-time shifts from the competition’s start and end dates.”
