As local favourites drop out, World Cup business takes a dip

Both sides have been home for quite some time and as the World Cup in South Africa reaches the semi finals which will be played next Tuesday and Wednesday, one wonders if business has slackened here in Malta, especially with the local favourites kicked out.

Strangely enough, the odd English flag still dots one or two windows around and the Italian flags were again in evidence this week due to the state visit of President Giorgio Napolitano. But coincidences aside, MaltaToday spoke to some bar and entertainment establishment owners around the island to gauge the feeling in real business terms with England and Italy out of the competition.

Tony Farrugia from Tony’s Bar in Sliema is quite disappointed that both Italy and England are out of the competition as he feels that support is really concentrated on those two teams, with very little elsewhere.

“There’s been a very obvious difference in support now that Italy and England are out; they are the teams that have most support here. Other teams also have support but very little in comparison.”

Julian Borg from City of London is getting over the fact that England have been driven out of the competition. It has obviously made a huge difference to his takings as the place was undoubtedly a favourite haunt for the Three Lions’s support base in Malta.

However he notes a slight shift of support to other teams – especially Germany – although this is  still a long way off from the support England enjoys on the island.

“England being kicked out of the World Cup has affected me tremendously; I mean my bar is called ‘City of London’ so we had a lot of English supporters here. I reckon there have been around €1500 less takings for the day since England’s elimination. There is support for other teams – we had a significant crowd of German supporters – but nothing like Italy and England. However, year after year, support is changing and other teams are gaining in importance.”

Justin Gambin from Surfside is more upbeat, although he does acknowledge that there has been a drop in patronage (although not in actual business) since Italy and England were sent packing.

“I wouldn’t say there’s been a drop in business; the evening games in particular still enthuse people to go out and follow a game in a bar or restaurant. There has been a noticeable drop in the number of people, but it hasn’t affected me too much; games which include Germany and Brazil for example are still quite important.”

Miriam Bonello from Time Square (also in Sliema) is circumspect about the situation, stating that it would have been fantastic if one of the teams had stayed on – at least till the semi finals anyway!

“The largest crowd of supporters we enjoyed here was the English crowd, followed by Italy fans; so yes, there has been a reduced crowd. It would have been great for us had one of them, especially England, remained in the World Cup.” 

Finally Damian Casapinta from the much touted World Cup Village acknowledges the reduction in people, although he is positive about the substantial support garnered by the number three and four teams on the island.

“I would say there has been a drop in the number of people that come here, obviously Italy and England were the main teams. But there’s still a lot of support for Germany, as well as Brazil.”

Strangely enough, there is no word of support for Africa, the continent which is hosting the competition for the first time.