We’re 16 days into the World Cup, and some of the locals are so excited, they’re turning somersaults. There will be similar acrobatics in English stomachs this afternoon, as Steven Gerrard’s men take on the German team in a match pundits predict will go to the wire.
All four World Cup matches between the archrivals have been level at the end of 90 minutes, with England losing on penalties to Germany in 1990 — and, on top of that, at Euro 96. If England win — it’s a big if — their next match will be a quarter-final against Mexico or Argentina, and if they win that...perhaps it’s better not to think too far ahead.
Bookings to South Africa surged after England’s victory over Slovenia, with Thomson Sport selling out its packages for today’s match within hours. Other operators say fans are flying out just to be close to the action, with one agency reporting a near 300% increase in sales since Wednesday. “We have to be realistic — people will have been hard pushed to get a ticket to watch today’s game against Germany — but that doesn’t seem to have deterred many from wanting to soak up the atmosphere,” said Chris Brown, of the online travel agent Sunshine.co.uk.
So what are our chances of seeing future matches from the stands? Rather good, actually, says Thomson Sport (0845 121 2018, thomsonsport.com), which is organising a series of day trips to watch the Three Lions’ African progress. Fans fly into South Africa on an overnight flight, watch the game, then fly back overnight afterwards. Prices start at £1,995pp, including return flights, transfers and match tickets.
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Thomson Sport is also offering fans a seat at the World Cup Final, which takes place in Johannesburg on Sunday, July 11. Packages, departing on July 8, start at £5,995pp, including three nights at the three-star Peermont Metcourt hotel, return flights from Heathrow and a Category 3 match ticket.