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Article: England Succumbs to World Cup Mania
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- May 30, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Associated Press. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Associated Press. (Hide copyright information)
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LONDON (AP) _ Vicars are changing the times of their church services.
Businesses are bracing for thousands of workers to call in sick. Supermarkets
and pubs are expecting record beer sales.
It can mean only one thing: The World Cup is here.
England is in the grip of soccer hysteria as the national team prepares
for its opening match against Sweden on Sunday in Saitama, Japan.
Even though England has won the World Cup only once, in 1966, the
tournament generates more national passion and obsession than any
other event.
One fan has replaced his living room carpet with artificial turf.
A man in central England has painted his home in the national colors ...