Vinnie Jones
Senior Squad
Since the other thread was closed i will make this one so i can tell you guys how i experienced watching the match in the stands of the Stadium of Luz.
It was my first time on the Estádio da Luz and i can only say that the stadium is absolutely wonderful. Its really a top notch facility. Its one of the most modern stadiums in europe, very functional, beautifull in the inside and outside. The atmosphere was terrific with everyone singing, cheering their teams and waiting for the kick off. I stayed right in the middle of the english fans with a 2 of my best friends. We speak english pretty fluently and made friendship with a couple of lads from Newcastle. They were surprised that i knew so much about their club and they said they would offer me a Newcastle scarf next time we´d meet. The atmosphere when they played the english anthem was fabulous, everyone singing at the same time, pretty impressive. Not as good as when Portugal played Ireland in the Old Luz but pretty impressive anyways. The only thing i disliked was when they disrespected the french anthem but you have to understand their rivalrly and everyone was pretty nervous waiting for the kick off. I´ve been to alot of matches, in Portugal (Coimbra, Lisboa), Italy (Milano) and Brazil (São Paulo) but i was never in a match with english fans. They sang during all the match and the english players cant complain about the lack of support. I was extremely impressed. When Lampard scored, it almost fell like the stadium was coming down. All the happyness,ppl hugging each others, the noise you couldn´t hear anything except the screams the chants, no one could be indiferent to that.
As time went by English supporters were becoming more confident and thinking they would see England beat France. When England got the penalty there was another burst of joy. The stadium was almost silent when Beckham tried to convert the Pk. Unfortunately he missed. Anyways everyone was still confident. One of the Newcastle lads that was standing right next to me said that if they beat France he would pay beer all night to everyone in our group. Unfortunately i lost the chance of free beer since the bloody french scored twice in the OT. I can´t explain you guys how the atmosphere was in the end of the match. There are no words to explain the disappointment and the fact that they were so close to winning and came out with a defeat. Never the less the english team was applauded in the end. We left the stadium hearing Allez les Bleus as France won again. Almost everyone was disappointed (except the french) but still in the mood for partying. I said goodbye to the lads who watched the game near me as they were going to the Fun park and i was going to the Park of Nations.
There was absolutely no problem near the stadium. Everything was extremely well organized and the fans altough they were disapointed took it with fair play. I saw alot of english taking pictures near a french guy who had roozter. Pretty funny moment.
When i saw the news in the morning i saw that there was some probs in the Fun park. I hope nothing serious happened to the lads i met. Anyways if every England match goes this way, everything will be alright and no one will get booted from the championship. I hope it will remain this way.
P.s There were some annoying and agressive english fans but every country has them. We just cant stereotype a country because of a couple of idiots who want spoil everyones fun and try to forget the frustrations of their existance.
It was my first time on the Estádio da Luz and i can only say that the stadium is absolutely wonderful. Its really a top notch facility. Its one of the most modern stadiums in europe, very functional, beautifull in the inside and outside. The atmosphere was terrific with everyone singing, cheering their teams and waiting for the kick off. I stayed right in the middle of the english fans with a 2 of my best friends. We speak english pretty fluently and made friendship with a couple of lads from Newcastle. They were surprised that i knew so much about their club and they said they would offer me a Newcastle scarf next time we´d meet. The atmosphere when they played the english anthem was fabulous, everyone singing at the same time, pretty impressive. Not as good as when Portugal played Ireland in the Old Luz but pretty impressive anyways. The only thing i disliked was when they disrespected the french anthem but you have to understand their rivalrly and everyone was pretty nervous waiting for the kick off. I´ve been to alot of matches, in Portugal (Coimbra, Lisboa), Italy (Milano) and Brazil (São Paulo) but i was never in a match with english fans. They sang during all the match and the english players cant complain about the lack of support. I was extremely impressed. When Lampard scored, it almost fell like the stadium was coming down. All the happyness,ppl hugging each others, the noise you couldn´t hear anything except the screams the chants, no one could be indiferent to that.
As time went by English supporters were becoming more confident and thinking they would see England beat France. When England got the penalty there was another burst of joy. The stadium was almost silent when Beckham tried to convert the Pk. Unfortunately he missed. Anyways everyone was still confident. One of the Newcastle lads that was standing right next to me said that if they beat France he would pay beer all night to everyone in our group. Unfortunately i lost the chance of free beer since the bloody french scored twice in the OT. I can´t explain you guys how the atmosphere was in the end of the match. There are no words to explain the disappointment and the fact that they were so close to winning and came out with a defeat. Never the less the english team was applauded in the end. We left the stadium hearing Allez les Bleus as France won again. Almost everyone was disappointed (except the french) but still in the mood for partying. I said goodbye to the lads who watched the game near me as they were going to the Fun park and i was going to the Park of Nations.
There was absolutely no problem near the stadium. Everything was extremely well organized and the fans altough they were disapointed took it with fair play. I saw alot of english taking pictures near a french guy who had roozter. Pretty funny moment.
When i saw the news in the morning i saw that there was some probs in the Fun park. I hope nothing serious happened to the lads i met. Anyways if every England match goes this way, everything will be alright and no one will get booted from the championship. I hope it will remain this way.
P.s There were some annoying and agressive english fans but every country has them. We just cant stereotype a country because of a couple of idiots who want spoil everyones fun and try to forget the frustrations of their existance.
