England Stands Still For Soccer Game

L O N D O N, June 8, 2002 -- British offices, shops and banks stood deserted at mid-day Friday. And just days after throngs turned out to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee, the streets were nearly empty too.

The bars, however, were packed … for a game of soccer — or, as the British call it, football.

It wasn't just any game. It was England vs. Argentina at the Sapporo Dome in Japan, with both looking for a place in the second round of the 2002 World Cup.

It was a match not to be missed for football-crazy English fans. There was, however, one potential problem. Because of the eight-hour time difference, the kick-off was in the middle of the working day.

But nothing comes between English soccer fans and their football. An estimated four million people took the day off work — over a quarter of the working population. A further two million are estimated to have called in sick.

Huge Rivalry

Despite introducing the game to the South American nation more than a century ago, England has only beaten Argentina a handful of times.

Not since 1966 has England claimed victory over the Argentineans in a World Cup tournament. England was famously denied the victory both in 1986, when the referee missed Diego Maradona's hand ball into the goal, and in 1998 when David Beckham was sent off the field in questionable circumstances.

The rivalry is only heightened by the English victory in the Falklands War. Argentineans still insist the islands are rightfully theirs and that, one day, they will have them back.

Shock! Available Seats on the Trains

On the day of the big game, roads throughout Britain were unusually quiet, and rail commuters who went to work were, for once, all able get a seat for their journey. Two train companies had to cancel trains because of "driver shortages" and "short term sickness."

The Center for Economic Research in London estimated that the football fever could cost $1 billion in lost output.

For those who did turn up to work, many businesses organized for their employees to watch the game. Some people took extended lunch breaks, while others saw the game on TV at work with numerous employers providing giant TV screens and free food — an attempt to prevent lost revenues.

One supermarket chain put up television screens in all of its stores ensuring that its 120,000 staff could see the match, while in bars across the nation seven million more pints of beer were consumed than usual. Around the country, big screens were erected in squares and parks to accommodate the supporters.

Was it all worth it? It seemed so. England won 1-0 thanks to a David Beckham penalty in the 44th minute.

One can only imagine the hysteria should England make it to the final.