Cheers and tears for fans in Singapore as Spain claim Euro 2024 trophy
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
English fans cheering at Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub during the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain on July 15.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE – First there were cheers, then a final that promised to end 58 years of hurt ended in tears.
In the wee hours of July 15, the roof was raised inside iconic Irish pub Muddy Murphy’s when Cole Palmer struck in the 73rd minute to draw England level.
Mostly clad in England white, some 300 fans now believed the Three Lions could better their Spanish rivals to claim yet another comeback win at Euro 2024.
Hugs and kisses were in full flow as they broke out into song, as It’s Coming Home echoed in the cosy pub.
But the 86th-minute strike from Mikel Oyarzabal quickly turned cheers into groans, and a collective silence ensued as the score read 2-1 to Spain.
Lenny Harbottle had his head in his hands. The 64-year-old Englishman, a die-hard England and Newcastle fan, was just six when England lifted the 1966 World Cup on home soil.
After 58 years, Harbottle was convinced it was coming home.
A small group of Spanish fans seen ahead of the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England at Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub on July 15.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Harbottle, a retiree who first came to Singapore for work in 2007, said: “I had never seen my teams win anything meaningful. It’s always been a case of so near yet so far.
“I thought this was it today. When you’re in a final, you have to believe.”
Across the island at Our Tampines Hub, over a hundred supporters queued as early as 2.30am for the screening at a viewing room, which eventually filled up with over 300 people. A 65-year-old housekeeper who wanted to be known as Masuri turned up at 11pm after catching the bus from his home in Simei.
Sporting an England jersey, Masuri said: “I’ve been waiting for this for so long, for England to reach the final. I’m a David Beckham fan, but there’s been a lot of young talent this year who have impressed me.”
At the heart of the city in Chijmes, about 500 fans comprising locals, expatriates and tourists filled up the seats on the lawn, with some arriving an hour before kick-off.
About 20 fans were dressed in Spanish colours, outnumbered by England fans. One of them was Spanish tourist Pedro Marques. Here on an unexpected business trip, he arrived in Singapore hours before the match but got to Chijmes early to “get a good spot”.
The 64-year-old from Murcia said: “This travelling was not planned. I didn’t expect to be here. I have to work in a few hours, but I’m here to watch the match and hopefully we’re the best team.”
Fans watching a live screening of the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England at L2 Space at Our Tampines Hub.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
England fan Alex Emery was visiting his brother Vincent, 28, who is based here and works in the commodities industry. The 30-year-old will be returning to London after the end of a six-week trip to South-east Asia, but not before catching the showdown in Singapore.
“We’ve watched football for forever, but it feels strange (to watch it here). I’ve never done this before. It’s different but I’m very excited.”
Vincent added: “I had a few fans who came here during the World Cup, and they said this place had good atmosphere. So we thought we’d come down and see what it’s like.”
As the final ended in joy for now four-time champions Spain, two fans – Chee Kang Chen and Zemus Koh – celebrated in Tampines. The software engineer interns, both 25, would be heading to work in just four hours.
Koh said: “I can’t really think right now. I’m just happy that they won.”
