England fans soak up Euro 2008

By Chris Mason
BBC News, Basle

The pair say there is no fear for England fans on this trip to Euro 2008

"We are the lonesome twosome. We booked with blind faith - and we were ultimately proved wrong."

England fan Ward Mulvey, 43, sighs as he nurses a coffee in Restaurant Spillmann on the banks of the River Rhine.

He's kitted out in his England top and is here with his brother John, 28, a Blackburn Rovers supporter.

England, like the other home countries of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, failed to qualify.

Other countries' supporters notice our fans - we are so passionate England fan Ward Mulvey

But optimists Ward and John - who both now live in Edinburgh - bought their tickets for Basle before England lost 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley in November, meaning they failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

"We'd paid for it, so we thought we'd come," John says.

"Unfortunately England let us down on their part of the bargain. We booked in October when it looked pretty likely that England would be here. We took a gamble I guess - not that it should have been one."

'A holiday'

So what do fans from other countries say when they meet them in the street or bars?

"If I had a pound for every time we've been asked 'what's an England fan doing in Basle?' I would probably have paid for this trip by now", says Ward.

"People have been really surprised to see us. People have told us they wish England were here and they miss us. That's great. Other countries' supporters notice our fans - we are so passionate."

Basle is hosting one of its biggest-ever sporting events

Both brothers travelled to Germany for the World Cup in 2006 - which England did qualify for. They both say the adrenalin, nerves and even fear just isn't there on this trip.

"It is much more relaxing. It feels a bit more like a holiday to be honest. There is no stress," Ward says.

"Match day doesn't come for us. You can already see the tension is mounting - fans are walking around looking a bit nervous. Not us."

John is hoping more fans will arrive from England.

"If a few more headed out that'd be great. We add so much to a tournament. But I'm not expecting hundreds," he says.

'Our plight'

So with no team to support, who are Ward and John backing now? Both have plumped for England's conquerors Croatia.

"They could be the dark horse of this tournament," John thinks. "I'd put a sly bet on them."

Croatians sympathise with England's failure to qualify

For Ward, backing Croatia is also somehow therapeutic.

"From an English point of view, it'd be nice to see them do well - it'd make me feel a little bit better about our plight."

A short walk from Restaurant Spillmann, is Croatia fan Daniel Feller, 24.

When told that some England fans are now backing his team to win Euro 2008 a broad smirk flashes across his face, and he responds with sarcastic sympathy.

"We will do our best, so England can be proud that they were kicked out by the Croatians. We will win the championship for you guys."