Delighted fans in Thetford are sure to be celebrating for the rest of the weekend as England beat Sweden to make it through to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Hundreds of fans flocked to Grand Central, on the Riverside Complex, where a giant television screen enabled fans to enjoy the game inside and outside.
Held in conjunction with On The Green Thetford, there was a real family atmosphere as young children, teenagers and adults all came together to cheer England to victory.
The national anthem was proudly sung by everybody and the good natured singing and chanting continued throughout the game.
And when Harry Maguire headed the ball past the Sweden goalkeeper, the noise was deafening.
Chants of It’s Coming Home reverberate around the inside and outside of the restaurant.
And the same happened when Dele Ali scored and people believed England would go on to win the match.
Gurinder Chadha, director of Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, was in town for the Festival of Thetford and Punjab.
She watched the game at Grand Central and said: “It’s so exciting. It was so emotional. It’s the mix of nationalism, the hope and the pride. “Forget Bend it Like Beckham it’s Kick it Like Kane now. It’s the sequel finally!”
Jamie Stone, from Thetford, said: “I’m very happy. I would like to see a Russia v England semi-final. It is coming home that is not in question.”
His friend Alex Rowe added: “It has been the best World Cup so far. The team look like they can do something and we believe we are going to win.
“We have already outdone ourselves but I think we will carry on to the final.”
Paul Trudgeon, manager of Grand Central, said aside from a few smashed glasses there had been no trouble during the game.
“There has been a good crowd and no trouble,” he said. “It is good for the families to come out and it is all about people coming down and using the Riverside.
“A lot of people who come and watch the football come back to eat and they might not have been here before. It helps local businesses. It is good that people are coming out and socialising more in Thetford rather than going to Norwich, Bury St Edmunds or Cambridge.”
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