Something which will stimulate debate and divide opinion in homes, workplaces and pubs across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is about to happen.
No, not the omnipresent EU Referendum – football’s European Championships 2016 kicks off in Paris on Friday (June 10).
And with the rare circumstance of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all involved, there will be plenty of interest here. But for how long is the big question.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, there will be 24 teams taking part – meaning (look away now if you’ve got no interest) more television coverage than ever before.
We asked some well-known figures in South Holland for their predictions on
1. Who will win Euro 2016?
2. How far will England go in the tournament?
3. How much will you be watching?
The Rev John Bennett – vicar of St Mary and St Nicolas, Spalding
1. I expect to see France in the final and, of course, it would be great if England were their opponents.
2. I can’t imagine a better result than England beating France in Paris. I’ll be cheering for Poland too, like lots of other people in Spalding.
3. I have the group stage matches in my diary, and I hope I can avoid any clashes for the later matches that England will be involved in. I still have memories of having to go to a Diocesan meeting when it was the semi-final against Germany in 1996 and the agony of driving home listening to the penalty shoot-out on the car radio.
Ian Canham – Broadgate Homes chief executive
1. Germany – say no more.
2. England will win their group, but lose to Italy in the quarter-finals on penalties.
3. Less than I want to but more than my wife thinks I should!
Dennis Hannant – Spalding town centre manager
1. Germany to beat Italy 2-1 in the final.
2. Win their group by one point, or on goal difference, but will be knocked out by a team like Northern Ireland in the quarter-final stage.
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy will be the tournament’s highest scorer with seven goals.
3. I wish England well, but find watching them extremely frustrating and predictable; hopefully Vardy and Rashford can bring a bit of flare to the English game. Unfortunately, I will be busy performing gigs and therefore will not be watching too ardently.
John Hayes – South Holland and The Deepings MP
1. England – as a patriot how could I say anything else?
2. Winners! With Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy up front this is probably our best chance of winning since we came so close in Euro 96.
3. All the England games.
Gary Porter – South Holland District Council leader
1. France.
2. Semi-finals.
3. I may see some of it but I won’t be watching it.
Insp Jo Reeves – South Holland community policing inspector
1. France
2. Last 16 (I was advised quarter finals by a colleague but think that may be a little too optimistic!)
3. I won’t be watching any of it!
Phil Scarlett – president of Spalding and District Area Chamber of Trade
1. France, with Belgium as a sneaky bet.
2. Last 16.
3. Watching will be weather dependent, here not there. Whilst Northern Ireland stay in – sadly, no Scotland to watch!
Tulip Radio sports team
1. France will go far with their home advantage but probably not as far as Germany, the current world champions, so Germany to win the tournament.
2. England to beat Russia and Slovakia and qualify for the knockout stages. However, unsure they have the quality to beat the very best teams in the world – quarter-finals are a realistic target.
3. Definitely watch all of England’s games and the latter stages of the tournament.
Pete Williams – The Punchbowl landlord and district councillor
1. England to beat Germany.
2. All the way!
3. We’ll be showing every match in The Punchbowl and I’ll watch as much as work allows.
