Nowhere in Belgium did "God Save the King" sound louder than in Ieper (West Flanders) at the start of the final of the European Football Championships in Berlin on Wednesday, but sadly it was to no avail. Some 70 English schoolchildren in the town to see the Great War sights watched the final together and alas, like their team, had to return home to Albion disappointed.
A visit to the Great War cemeteries is on the curriculum of most English schools and Britons have been welcome visitors to the Westhoek area for many years. Many Brits found themselves in Belgium for final of the Euros. Group accommodation The Salient I, near Ieper’s historic market square, found some 70 schoolchildren in front of a big screen to cheer on their team to victory.
They brought the roof down when England’s Cole Palmer equalised in the 73rd minute. See video top.
But disappointment was unfathomable when Spain again took the lead towards the end of the second half. Room temperature that had revived when Cole Palmer equalised again plummeted below zero. Chants of "England! England" ground to a halt.
"Our team seems nervous and often plays the ball back instead of attacking," explained 15-year-old Freddie Williams. "Spain are the better team, but we are close."
After the final whistle, the schoolchildren return to their rooms with disappointment writ large on their faces but also with hope and determination for future England success. "We will try again at the World Championships" says 15 -year-old Gabriel Wallace.
The 58-year-old wait continues.