WHILE most Jersey families will be backing the Three Lions for England’s World Cup quarter-final this Saturday, one has a trickier choice on its hands…
The owners of The Moorings Hotel – Iselin and Matthew Jones – have split loyalties. Iselin is Norwegian and Matthew has strong family ties to England.
Iselin said the two playing is a “bonus” for the family, although the Scandinavian side’s upset win over five-times winner Brazil in the previous round thanks to superstar forward Erling Haaland’s brace has left them feeling more Norwegian as of late.
Matthew said: “With family ties to both sides, Saturday’s going to be loud in our house whatever happens. It is the first time we have ever had genuine rivalry between the two home countries we share – and we are taking it exactly as it should be taken: with a lot of noise and a lot of love.”
The pair’s children have been caught up in the Norwegian story but have been torn over who to support on Saturday evening.
Florence (14) said: “I have sided with Norway for now – but that could well change on the night!”
Iselin added that her 12-year-old son Sidney has been “proudly wearing his Haaland shirt” up and down Gorey Pier. But, they may “have to go into hiding” depending on the result.
Sidney said that he is “happy for whoever wins” and thinks that “with Haaland on one side and Kane on the other it could go either way.”
Iselin, meanwhile, “always loves an underdog” and the fact her home nation has produced one of the major stories of the tournament has just made the World Cup even better.
While The Moorings will not be showing the game, hospitality businesses will be hoping for another bumper night of takings with the quarter-final match-up kicking off at 10pm this evening.
Dozens of Jersey pubs and bars stayed open until the small hours of Monday morning to take in England’s thrilling last-16 win over Mexico.
The Bailiff’s Chambers in consultation with members of industry, States police and honorary police has granted extended licensing conditions to screen World Cup matches under certain conditions. Should the England v Norway quarter-final go the distance and be decided by a dreaded penalty shoot-out, the match would finish shortly before 1am.
