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LONDON - Millions of England fans trudged home dejected but magnanimous in defeat today after watching their side lose 15-6 to South Africa in the rugby union World Cup final in Paris.
In addition to the estimated 50,000 supporters who crossed the Channel to be in the French capital, bars and pubs were packed across the land to see if England could retain the trophy they won in Australia four years.
Some 9,000 people gathered at the 02 Arena - formerly the Millennium Dome - on the south banks of the River Thames at Greenwich in London to watch every move of the eagerly awaited fixture.
But as the result became all too obvious, many disappointed England supporters, in replica shirts or with England's Saint George's flag draped over their shoulders, began leaving the venue with 10 minutes to go.
"I'll be fair and say that I think the best team won," said Peter Hargreaves, 52, from Greenwich. "We never looked like scoring a try and we really needed to get those points."
Ben Cohen, an England World Cup winner in 2003 who warmed up the crowd at the venue before kick-off, said he was "hurting" for his colleagues, but applauded their efforts after having been written off in the pool stages.
"Nobody expected them to get there. I also think it is good for English rugby, we've got people watching the game again, supporting the team again and interested in rugby again and that has got to be a good thing," he said
Equally sporting in defeat was British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a keen rugby fan, who was at the match in Paris as a guest of the English game's governing body, the Rugby Football Union.
Brown, who congratulated players of both sides on the pitch after the final whistle, described Phil Vickery's men as an "inspiration to millions".
In a statement issued by his office, he said: "England's performance at this World Cup, and in the final against South Africa, was an inspiration to millions in our country.
"Their victories against France and Australia will live long in our memory, and the country is extremely proud of their extraordinary achievements over the past few weeks."
Eloise Turnbull, 21, was one of the many ex-pat Springboks supporters at the 02 Arena who remained to watch the South Africans lift the gold Webb Ellis trophy.
"I can't believe we've won it. I'm so happy," said Turnbull, now living in Clapham, south London. "We were the best team in the final by far. I only wish I was back in South Africa to celebrate with my family."
Among those relieved at England's defeat, however, were bookmakers, who stood to lose millions on combination bets on an England win, England's footballers beating Russia and Lewis Hamilton winning the Formula 1 title.
"We won millions from patriotic punters when England lost to Russia and Scotland to Georgia in midweek - and now we are tens of millions better off because of England's World Cup final defeat by South Africa," said one bookmaker.
"Only a Lewis Hamilton triumph in the Brazilian Grand Prix can save patriotic punters from their worst ever week."
- AFP
