The excitement level was high at the Grove Pub & Restaurant Wednesday afternoon as the ball, booted by England’s Phil Foden, soared across the big-screen TVs and into the safety of Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s arms.
“Oh God,” Noah Van der Berg said quietly as the bar let out a collective “whoa.”
“I’m a little nervous over here, not going to lie,” said Van der Berg, wearing the Netherlands’ bright orange.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Soccer fans Scott Kelman (left) and Patrick Jackson watch the match between England and the Netherlands at The Grove.
The kick came after England’s Harry Kane brought the score to 1-1 in an earlier penalty kick during the UEFA European Championship semifinal game in Dortmund, Germany.
“I just want to score so I can cheer in all their faces,” Van der Berg said with a laugh.
He checked in over social media with family back in The Hague, who were also wearing orange for the game.
Their opinion? The earlier penalty kick was a “terrible call.”
“I’m hoping 2-1 for the Dutch — I don’t see us scoring any more than that, just the way that game’s going,” Van der Berg said.
A few tables over, Zack Street said he’s been cheering for England for as long as he can remember.
“Every player in England — they’re all my boys,” said Street, who was joined by friends Fin McKenzie and Calum McKinnon.
The group said local interest in soccer seems to be at a high lately — especially after Canada’s appearance in the Copa America championship.
Canada made it to the semifinals of the tournament before bowing out to powerhouse Argentina 2-0 on Tuesday. Canada will play in the third-place game on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.
“To make a World Cup, and then go to semifinals with Copa, and host the World Cup (along with the U.S. and Mexico in 2026) — it’s so awesome to see, no one in their wildest dreams thought we’d get to this point,” Sweet said.
Patrick Jackson, wearing England’s white jersey, didn’t have high hopes for an English win, but said he came out to enjoy the experience.
“It’s a heartbreaking team to watch, but you know what, just enjoy the moment, that’s my attitude,” he said.
“You always have that little bit of hope.”
He also caught Tuesday’s Canada-Argentina game, and said Canada performed as hard as they could.
“I thought it was awesome to be in that moment,” he said, adding, “they were just outmatched.”
Over at Hat Trick Sports Bar on Portage Avenue, John Power was catching the game between his two favourite teams.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Soccer fan Noah Van den Berg watches the match between England and the Netherlands at The Grove.
“I’m a fan of the Dutch, but my favourite second team is the English, so these are my two teams right here,” he said.
But he’s always rooting for the underdog. “England is the underdog today.”
Power has kept up with the tournament and criticized England for not creating enough opportunity on the field.
“They’ve got a great possession game, but not a lot of chances,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Dutch were playing a more “offensive-minded” game, he added.
Power suggested the earlier penalty kick by England’s Harry Kane was the only reason the two teams were even tied an hour into the game.
Power expected a Netherlands victory, but said England would fare well against Spain, which came out ahead of France on Tuesday.
As for Canada’s Copa loss, Power said the team played well, “especially in the latter minutes of the game.
“I think Canada gave them a good run for their money, they just had some setbacks,” he said. “I don’t think the score reflected how close the game actually was.”
Despite the sentiment and predictions heard in the afternoon, England’s late winner knocked the Netherlands from the tournament as they won 2-1.
On Sunday, England will face Spain, a three-time world European champion, at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. England has never won the European Championship. Game time is 2 p.m.
jordan.snobelen@freepress.mb.ca