Watch British Antarctic Survey staff parade England flag around research station in Antarctica ahead of UEFA Euro 2020 final
They are some 11,000km away at one of the remotest places on Earth.
But scientists and support staff from Cambridge’s British Antarctic Survey at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica and at King Edward Point Research Station on the island of South Georgia will be tuning in to the Euro 2020 Final on Sunday night to watch England’s footballers taking on Italy.
A group of them showed their support for the national side by parading an England flag around Rothera Research Station, which lies on Adelaide Island on the Antarctic Peninsula. It is the dark Antarctic winter there, during which temperatures regularly dip below -20C and gale force winds blow. That didn’t deter the avid England fans among the 20-plus scientists and support staff at the site.
Rothera Research Station electrician Joe Owen said: “We are all really excited about England being in the final and will all watch the big game this Sunday. At the start of the tournament we only had 5-6 people watching the matches, but it’s great to see everyone get into the spirit and come together.”
Diving officer Mike Lindsell, who’s also at Rothera Research Station, sent the team this message: “Best of luck England – we know you can do it. And we’ll be cheering you on all the way. It needs to come home before we do!”
Whatever the result, at least one member of the group will be happy. Electronics engineer Jaskiran Nagi has Italian heritage and will be supporting the Italians.
For the squad of eight based at the remote King Edward Point Research Station on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, it will take some effort to follow the game.
They will be listening in via a phone link to a radio in the UK - and, if bandwidth allows, may be able to follow live updates.
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