World Cup Wager Tests U.K./U.S. ‘Special Friendship’

ABC's Catherine Cloutier reports from London: Saturday marks the first time the United Kingdom and the United States have faced off in the World Cup in 60 years, and the countries’ ambassadors are not letting the game go off without a friendly wager. Politico released an email exchange between British and American Embassy employees Monday, calling the bet a “test to the special relationship.” At stake is a dinner at the restaurant of the winner’s choice.  As British Embassy spokesperson Martin Longden stipulated, “loser pays.” Phillip Breen, a spokesperson for the American Embassy to the U.K., initiated the exchange. “The World Cup is exciting time for both the U.S. and the U.K.,” Breen told ABC News.  “This is the first match, and we knew there will be lot of attention paid to it.” Breen’s first email included a bit of taunting.   “We will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter,” he wrote, referencing the 1950 game in which the U.S. beat the U.K. with a score of 1-0.  Deemed one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, the game has been called “the Miracle in the Grass.” The British Embassy accepted the bet, describing the U.S. as generous because “the British Ambassador does not anticipate paying out.” In reference to the comment about their previous encounter in the tournament, Longden wrote, “The history of English football is long and extensive, in contradistinction to U.S. soccer.”
Breen countered back. “It is true that our soccer (a fine English word we have kindly preserved for you) history is not as long and illustrious as yours. However, as your generals noted during WWII, we have a unique capability for quickly identifying and advancing talent,” he wrote. The winner of the bet will be determined on a South African soccer field on Saturday.  “We’re not going to make predictions, but we’re rooting for the U.S.,” Breen told ABC News, adding, “On any given day, the U.S. is capable of beating any team in the World Cup.”  But in the email exchange, the British Embassy had the final word: “The Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories – somewhat rare.”