In St Kilda, England fans are devastated as Scott the Scot smiles
The barman in St Kilda is a Scot going for Spain.
Scott Ferguson from Glasgow is a brave man, donning a yellow and red shirt at an English bar in St Kilda as Spain took on England in the Euro 2024 final.
England fans rue their loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final at St Kilda’s Red Eye Bar.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“I’m Scottish, and I really want the Spanish to win for my mental health. I can’t have the English win,” he laughed in the wee hours of Monday morning.
The young crowd at Red Eye Bar was predominantly supporting the red and white, with English flags on their cheeks and shoulders, red ribbons in their hair, and chants at the ready in what felt like Melbourne’s loudest room.
Even at half-time, when Spain was up 1-0, Scott didn’t feel relaxed about the outcome.
“I’m scared that England are going to equalise, and they’re going to win on penalties. Because they’ve played poorly this entire tournament, and they’ve still got this far,” he said.
Scottish barman Scott Ferguson celebrates after Spain scored the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final against England.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Security guard Jay was hoping for an England win, for practical reasons. “It’s an English crowd,” he said. “I don’t follow the soccer, as we call it.”
The 230-strong crowd exploded as England levelled scores early in the second half, but the joy didn’t last. The mood fell flat as Spain scored again and sealed a 2-1 victory. The loss was “as painful as it could be in a football match”, England captain Harry Kane said afterwards.
England fans rue a near miss while watching the Euro 2024 final in St Kilda.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Many England fans left the Carlisle Street bar, but those who stayed were good sports.
Antony Watkins, from Liverpool, is the venue manager of Red Eye Bar and stepped in to DJ after the game ended.
Gone was I Predict a Riot by English rock band the Kaiser Chiefs, replaced by ’80s nostalgia song Come On Eileen.
English fans Molly Cross and Abbie Fox from Norwich at the Red Eye Bar. Spain won Euro 2024.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“We’re used to losing, but it’s also the atmosphere,” he said. England had hoped to end a 58-year drought this final.
Abbie Fox moved from Norwich to Australia about seven months ago. “I’m devastated. I’ve just moved to Australia, and I was really sad not to be home for this, but this felt special, like a great community getting back together,” she said.
“I really just had so much hope, and it’s just so sad, but we move on. We still love England.”
Young Englishwoman Faye had been up all night and was battling fatigue as she supported the men’s team.
“I went home to England and I came back on Friday, and then I did a Saturday, Sunday close [at a bar],” she said. Football brings people together and makes people happy, she said. “I’m devastated but not surprised,” she said of the result.
There’s a silver lining for Faye, as she won $240 in a sweepstake. “It’s not worth it,” she stressed.
After the game, Scott was all smiles and did a little dance to Macarena by Spanish duo Los del Rio.
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