Tensions rise as 鈥楤attle of Britain鈥 set
Print Edition
THERE’S tension in the air ahead of what national media have called the “Battle of Britain” between England and Wales at the European Championship.
And it’s not just on the streets of Lens or nearby Lille.
Security concerns and fears of fresh fan violence have dominated the build-up to one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage, but some antagonistic comments from the players are also fanning the flames.
Wales forward Gareth Bale started it all off last week, calling England the “enemy” and saying his team has “got a lot more passion and pride about us than them”.
“They big themselves up before they’ve done anything,” Bale said.
England coach Roy Hodgson described Bale’s comments as “disrespectful,” while England midfielder Jack Wilshere returned the barbs. “We know that Wales don’t like us,” he said. “Do we like them? Not really!”
England considers Germany and Argentina as its biggest rivals on the soccer stage. For Wales, though, there’s only one real foe — the English.
“Everyone says they want England’s scalp, it’s not just Wales — it’s the same for every country,” England midfielder Adam Lallana said yesterday.
Clearly, the stakes are high for both sides for tomorrow’s clash. Wales opened with a 2-1 win over Slovakia in Group B, while England drew 1-1 with Russia after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer.
The English Football Association has serious concerns about security for the game at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, which is only 30km from Lille, where Russia will take on Slovakia today. Many England fans will be staying in Lille ahead of the England-Wales game.
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