Euro 2008 FWE: Football Without England

This summer, football left home.

Britain is well known as the home of football. The professional game originated in the British Isles and spread around the world. Yet none of the UK's teams qualified for Euro 2008. For England fans in particular it was hard to take.

Immediately after the unexpected defeat by Croatia last November. Steven Gerrard knelt down on the Wembley turf with a look of abject disbelief on his face. It was a telling image, but the reaction of supporters in the pubs and on the sofas of the watching nation was far more complicated.

Naturally, the first feeling was anger. Throughout qualification England were woeful and manager Steve McClaren was tactically clueless.

Next there was bitterness and recrimination. While Asia has fallen in love with the English Premier League, at home there is a growing resentment towards the astronomical wages and flashy lifestyles of Premier League players. For a good number of supporters, England's failure was due to the arrogance of its spoilt, overconfident millionaire footballers.

Finally, people felt resentful and disillusioned. Everyone watching was aware of the consequences. This summer there would be no England team to support. No nights in the pub or in the living room with friends and family, cheering and wailing at the screen. No workplace and internet chatter, analysis and gossip about team tactics and Beckham's ridiculous hairstyles. Gareth Barry, Lampard and the rest had deprived us of our favourite pastime, and we were not looking forward to watching the competition.

Football without England just doesn't seem right. Before Euro 2008 began, British Council Summer asked three people who would normally back England for their opinions on the tournament.

The three Ds - Dan, David and Dave

Daniel Raynor is a Sheffield Wednesday supporter and the manager of Lamma F.C. Dan was first to admit that England's absence meant the competition didn't really excite him as it usually would. 

Why didn't England qualify?

Gerrard's disbelief at England's defeat summed it up -quite simply, they assumed they were the best and Croatia proved they certainly are not.

Which team are you going to follow?

Spain.

Reasons:

I used to live in Barcelona. The Spanish fully expect they are going to perform terribly even though they have some of the best players in the world. Their attitude is the reverse of the England team in that respect. Plus, their kit is cool.

Players to watch:

Puyol, because of his retro hairstyle. And Xavi Hernandez is class.

Prediction:

They'll probably lose in the final to Germany.

Pick an England Player and imagine what they will be doing during the tournament:

Ashley Cole will be getting his nails done.

David Ching is a Manchester United supporter and student with the British Council Hong Kong. 

Why do you usually support England?

I've watched English league games since I was a child, so I am familiar with many players. Also, I think the team are very talented. I really want them to win the World Cup in 2010.

Which team are you going to support?

To be honest with you, since England went out I don't really have a particular favourite. If you really pushed me, I would pick Holland.

Reasons:

I've read about the Dutch "Total Football" side of the 1970s. The Netherlands have a tradition of playing attacking football, and they have gifted players. I hope that they can win as a team and not rely on a single individual player.

Player to watch: Ruud van Nistelrooy.

He can score from all kinds of different positions. I really enjoy watching him play.

England Player:

John Terry will have plenty of time to practise taking penalties.

Dave Harrison, a Nurse from Liverpool, was enthusiastic about Euro 2008. "I love football, but I'll pretty much watch any sport with a ball in it - cricket, rugby, bowls, anything". 

Team: Spain

Reasons: So I don't have to support them ever again. I've been following Spain for years, and I feel it's my fault that they haven't won anything since 1982. Spain will beat Croatia in the final and my curse will end.

Players to watch:

Ballack will prove beyond question that he's an exceptional player. Some might say Gattuso looks like an axe murderer, but it's good to see players with beards back on the world stage.

England Player:

Peter Crouch will be shopping for a designer step ladder for his girlfriend Abi Clancy.

How did they do?

By the time you read this, Euro 2008 will have finished. Did Dave end his Spanish curse? Was Dan right to be pessimistic and plump for Germany? Or was David spot on with his prediction that Holland would lift the trophy?

One thing is certain - as the tournament progressed we forgot all about England and simply enjoyed watching the greatest sport on earth without any distractions. In fact, it has been refreshing to just enjoy some thrilling football rather than do what we normally do in England, which is moan about Beckham, gossip about the WAGs, and watch in anguish as our team under perform and then go out of the competition on penalties.

Before the tournament we were disillusioned and bitter but, in the end, football without England was truly enjoyable.