Thousands of France and England fans crowded onto the the Champs Elysees last night to watch France VS England in the Rugby World Cup Semi Final on giant screens. The French, whose national suicide rate is 2.5 times that of England's, now have another excuse to commit suicide after England won the match 14-9 to reach, amazingly, their second successive World Cup Final and their third Final in total, which is a record-equaller, with Australia the only other team to have appeared in three World Cup Finals.
Prince Harry was in the crowd watching the game wearing his lucky England shirt. England have never lost a game whilst he has been wearing his lucky shirt.
Britain's Sky News showed live pictures on the Champs Elysees crowd after the game, with the thousands of French standing there silent and disconsolate but the English, in the background, delirious with joy...
Congas on the Champs Elysees and joy in the Frog and Rosbif
14th October 2007
Daily Mail
Prince Harry supporting England at the Stade de France last night wearing his lucky England shirt. Every time he has worn it England have won.
The streets of Paris were painted red and white last night as England fans celebrated the incredible victory over France.
There was no trace of Les Bleus as fans of 'les rosbifs' lit red and white flares all over the French capital.
Celebrations were good natured – with congas down the Champs Elysees and in front of the Eiffel Tower, where large crowds had gathered to watch the match on big screens.
Much of the fun centred on The Frog and Rosbif pub in Chatelet, which had become the unofficial headquarters for England's hordes.
We've done it: Ecstatic England fans at the 02 Arena in London can hardly believe England's stunning victory
Owner Paul Chantler announced: 'I moved to Paris more than a decade ago but this is the proudest moment of my life. I want to salute the team but also our magnificent fans, who have made Paris their own.' Despondent French fans, meanwhile, were overheard cursing Jonny Wilkinson as they stormed home.
Travelling England fan Peter Jones said: 'You have got to feel sorry for the French but I will be singing God Save The Queen all night along.'
Back in England, there was an atmosphere of stunned jubilation at the last-gasp victory.
There were wild scenes at the O2 Arena in London's Docklands among the 5,000 England fans who had gathered to watch the match on big screens. Some of the younger female supporters burst into tears after Jonny kicked his winning drop goal and there were chants of 'Jonny, Jonny, Jonny'.
Elsewhere in London, many bars were also packed, many with outnumbered French supporters.
In The Rugby Tavern in central London manager Amy Hellyer said: 'We are packed. The mood is very, very good. Our customers are happy, apart from the French who are in here.'
Supporters watching the match at Sale Sharks rugby club went mad when the final whistle blew in Paris. They laughed, they cried and they danced in the street. Barmaids danced around the room and impromptu congas were formed.
Drinkers burst into a round of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' at The British Queen pub in Portsmouth as the win began to sink in.
Landlord David Place said: 'We are jubilant. When Jonny kicked the first penalty everyone was cheering and jumping about. When he did the drop goal, the place erupted.'
dailymail.co.uk
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English rugby fans celebrate victory in France
By Richard Alleyne in Paris
14/10/2007
The Telegraph
Paris surrendered last night to a sea of white as joyous England fans celebrated a momentous victory over the French, in France, in the rugby world cup semi-final.
Thousands of England fans poured out of the Stade de France to celebrate a 14-9 victory over “les Bleus” in their own backyard.
Prince Harry reacts during the tense game
Perhaps even more galling for the French, victory was secured by only the narrowest of margins after a late comeback by the English. Moments before a Jonny Wilkinson penalty put England in the lead, French fans inside the Stade de France and in bars all over Paris had been singing as if victory was already assured.
A Wilkinson drop goal then secured a triumph that - at least to the 40,000 English who made the journey to the Stade de France - invited alcohol-fuelled comparisons with previous victories like Agincourt. Especially with an English royal, Prince Harry in the stadium, and unable to conceal his glee at England’s victory.
At the final whistle, Rob Woodley, 37, a public relations consultant from Henley, Oxon, watching the match at the Frog and Princess bar in St Germain, summed up the mood of the travelling English - with what was possibly an understatement: “It is going to be some night. “It has been unbelieveable. Now I just have to persuade my wife to let me come back for the final.”
Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson celebrate
Cynthia Evans, an IT administrator, from Bracknell, Berks, watching from Café Le Dome, was equally ecstatic: "How much better can it get than beating France in Paris? Now it’s time to open the champagne."
The happy thousands who had travelled to England had poured into France by train, ferry, and aeroplane - including private jets. Every available plane in the South-East was booked at a daily rate of up to £11,000, with Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of the French capital reporting 'unprecedented traffic levels.' British Airways and Air France services to Paris were officially sold out, and even rooms miles out of Paris at Disneyland were going for more than pounds £350.
Hundreds of English fans had managed to snap up spare tickets far quicker than locals, many being offered by Australian and New Zealand fans whose package deals provided tickets assuming their teams would be in the semis. Even in the Stade de France, the home of French national sport, Les Bleus appeared in the minority among the 80,000-strong crowd.
Last night, a sea of red and white shirts stretched from the bistros of St-Germain-Des-Pres, to the cafes of Montparnasse, to the bars lining the Champs-Elysee. The streets of St Germain, known as the “vallee de la soif” - valley of the thirsty - had earlier seen French fans drinking.
After the final whistle, however, they became a sea of white as the English drank the bars dry. English pubs such as the Bombardier, the Frog and Princess and the Bedford Arms were full to bursting. James Sanderson, 43, a manager from Bristol, said: “Jonny Wilkinson has got to be knighted. “It was a really tense game.
Sebastien Chabal is comforted as he leaves the field
“Not a classic, but this has been one of the best night’s of my life. The French have been great and the city is lovely. Come on England!”
The victory represents an extraordinary reversal in English fortunes. The team was virtually written off last month after being crushed by South Africa 36-0 in the group stages.
England may yet have the chance to revenge themselves against the South Africans in the final. The second semi-final, between South Africa and Argentina will be contested tomorrow evening.
Brian Ashton, the English coach, seemed willing to allow his players an evening of celebration. “These guys will not give up,” he said proudly. “You talk about the old British bulldog, it’s here in spades in this group.” “We will probably,” he added, “Have a decent night tonight.”
telegraph.co.uk
Prince Harry was in the crowd watching the game wearing his lucky England shirt. England have never lost a game whilst he has been wearing his lucky shirt.
Britain's Sky News showed live pictures on the Champs Elysees crowd after the game, with the thousands of French standing there silent and disconsolate but the English, in the background, delirious with joy...
Congas on the Champs Elysees and joy in the Frog and Rosbif
14th October 2007
Daily Mail
Prince Harry supporting England at the Stade de France last night wearing his lucky England shirt. Every time he has worn it England have won.
The streets of Paris were painted red and white last night as England fans celebrated the incredible victory over France.
There was no trace of Les Bleus as fans of 'les rosbifs' lit red and white flares all over the French capital.
Celebrations were good natured – with congas down the Champs Elysees and in front of the Eiffel Tower, where large crowds had gathered to watch the match on big screens.
Much of the fun centred on The Frog and Rosbif pub in Chatelet, which had become the unofficial headquarters for England's hordes.
We've done it: Ecstatic England fans at the 02 Arena in London can hardly believe England's stunning victory
Owner Paul Chantler announced: 'I moved to Paris more than a decade ago but this is the proudest moment of my life. I want to salute the team but also our magnificent fans, who have made Paris their own.' Despondent French fans, meanwhile, were overheard cursing Jonny Wilkinson as they stormed home.
Travelling England fan Peter Jones said: 'You have got to feel sorry for the French but I will be singing God Save The Queen all night along.'
Back in England, there was an atmosphere of stunned jubilation at the last-gasp victory.
There were wild scenes at the O2 Arena in London's Docklands among the 5,000 England fans who had gathered to watch the match on big screens. Some of the younger female supporters burst into tears after Jonny kicked his winning drop goal and there were chants of 'Jonny, Jonny, Jonny'.
Elsewhere in London, many bars were also packed, many with outnumbered French supporters.
In The Rugby Tavern in central London manager Amy Hellyer said: 'We are packed. The mood is very, very good. Our customers are happy, apart from the French who are in here.'
Supporters watching the match at Sale Sharks rugby club went mad when the final whistle blew in Paris. They laughed, they cried and they danced in the street. Barmaids danced around the room and impromptu congas were formed.
Drinkers burst into a round of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' at The British Queen pub in Portsmouth as the win began to sink in.
Landlord David Place said: 'We are jubilant. When Jonny kicked the first penalty everyone was cheering and jumping about. When he did the drop goal, the place erupted.'
dailymail.co.uk
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English rugby fans celebrate victory in France
By Richard Alleyne in Paris
14/10/2007
The Telegraph
Paris surrendered last night to a sea of white as joyous England fans celebrated a momentous victory over the French, in France, in the rugby world cup semi-final.
Thousands of England fans poured out of the Stade de France to celebrate a 14-9 victory over “les Bleus” in their own backyard.
Prince Harry reacts during the tense game
Perhaps even more galling for the French, victory was secured by only the narrowest of margins after a late comeback by the English. Moments before a Jonny Wilkinson penalty put England in the lead, French fans inside the Stade de France and in bars all over Paris had been singing as if victory was already assured.
A Wilkinson drop goal then secured a triumph that - at least to the 40,000 English who made the journey to the Stade de France - invited alcohol-fuelled comparisons with previous victories like Agincourt. Especially with an English royal, Prince Harry in the stadium, and unable to conceal his glee at England’s victory.
At the final whistle, Rob Woodley, 37, a public relations consultant from Henley, Oxon, watching the match at the Frog and Princess bar in St Germain, summed up the mood of the travelling English - with what was possibly an understatement: “It is going to be some night. “It has been unbelieveable. Now I just have to persuade my wife to let me come back for the final.”
Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson celebrate
Cynthia Evans, an IT administrator, from Bracknell, Berks, watching from Café Le Dome, was equally ecstatic: "How much better can it get than beating France in Paris? Now it’s time to open the champagne."
The happy thousands who had travelled to England had poured into France by train, ferry, and aeroplane - including private jets. Every available plane in the South-East was booked at a daily rate of up to £11,000, with Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of the French capital reporting 'unprecedented traffic levels.' British Airways and Air France services to Paris were officially sold out, and even rooms miles out of Paris at Disneyland were going for more than pounds £350.
Hundreds of English fans had managed to snap up spare tickets far quicker than locals, many being offered by Australian and New Zealand fans whose package deals provided tickets assuming their teams would be in the semis. Even in the Stade de France, the home of French national sport, Les Bleus appeared in the minority among the 80,000-strong crowd.
Last night, a sea of red and white shirts stretched from the bistros of St-Germain-Des-Pres, to the cafes of Montparnasse, to the bars lining the Champs-Elysee. The streets of St Germain, known as the “vallee de la soif” - valley of the thirsty - had earlier seen French fans drinking.
After the final whistle, however, they became a sea of white as the English drank the bars dry. English pubs such as the Bombardier, the Frog and Princess and the Bedford Arms were full to bursting. James Sanderson, 43, a manager from Bristol, said: “Jonny Wilkinson has got to be knighted. “It was a really tense game.
Sebastien Chabal is comforted as he leaves the field
“Not a classic, but this has been one of the best night’s of my life. The French have been great and the city is lovely. Come on England!”
The victory represents an extraordinary reversal in English fortunes. The team was virtually written off last month after being crushed by South Africa 36-0 in the group stages.
England may yet have the chance to revenge themselves against the South Africans in the final. The second semi-final, between South Africa and Argentina will be contested tomorrow evening.
Brian Ashton, the English coach, seemed willing to allow his players an evening of celebration. “These guys will not give up,” he said proudly. “You talk about the old British bulldog, it’s here in spades in this group.” “We will probably,” he added, “Have a decent night tonight.”
telegraph.co.uk