Terrible!

In a word, that’s the mood of a country overcome by football fever tonight as England loses to France, 2-1, in its opening game of the Euro Cup 2004. As I was walking back to the hotel, that’s what a young Brit muttered as I passed by. Another young woman stopped to asked the score and then replied, “Oh, my God, really?” The game was played n Madrid and was a crusher for the passionate English fans.

It was worse than the score as England led 1-0 into the final minute before the French scored on a free kick and then again in extra time on a penalty kick. I decided to really experience this, so I set out to find a suitable pub from which to watch the game. I ended up in a pub at Leiscester Square where I sat by a Croatian who now lives in Las Vegas and a woman from Surrey wrapped in a St. George’s Cross flag. What started out quiet became boisterous when England scored off a free kick late in the first half to stake the English to a 1-0 lead. As more people packed into the tiny pub, it appeared the They were on their way to a major upset. But it wasn’t to be and they have David Beckham, who missed a penalty kick in the second half that surely would have sealed the win for England, to blame. Not everyone is a football fan here, but it’s huge and the nation’s No. 1 sport.

The English loss was the topper on an otherwise wonderful day. It turned out warm and sunny. I headed off for Holy Trinity Brompton, down the road from Harrod’s for services. HTB is one of the most progressive Anglican churches in London and the home of a worldwide evangelical program known as Alpha.

On the way back, I wondered through St. James Park where the veterans of the Normandy invasion were commemorating the 60th anniversary. That tied into a visit to the Cabinet War Rooms, which have been restored to the condition they were during World War II. I visited the Cabinet War Rooms in 1985 when they first opened, but the tour has been enhanced and greatly improved. It’s not as well known as many of London’s attractions, but highly worthwhile. I happened by Buckingham Palace as the Queeen’s Guard was heading out for the Normandy veteran ceremony and parade, providing a colorful and unexpected treat.