I have eagle-eyed and stumpy-fingered Gareth to thank for spotting this in today's Yahoo Sports
We're only a couple days away from the new-age footy style Revolutionary War between the USA and England, so it's only right that both countries' diplomats partake in some light-hearted yet truthfully sharp banter centered around the big match. And maybe even place a friendly wager on the outcome. Earlier this week (right on cue), the American Ambassador to London, Louis Susman, reached out to his British counterpart, Martin Longden, stationed in Washington, D.C., to put a bet on the insanely hyped first game of Group C.
Move right this way to see their polite trash-talking email correspondences (through Ambassador Susman's email writer, Philip Breeden) and international gut-busting/liver-pickling wager in full, courtesy of the AP.
From: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London
To: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC
Subject: World Cup Bet
Mr. Longden, It has not escaped our attention that a certain sporting event is fast approaching, and that our respective nations will soon be meeting on the fields of South Africa.
My Ambassador has asked me to see if your Ambassador might be interested in a small wager? We will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter.
Sincerely, Philip Breeden, U.S. Embassy, London
________________________________
From: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC
To: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London
Subject: Re: World Cup Bet
Mr. Breeden,
Even for such an exceptionally optimistic nation as the United States, I am struck by the confidence with which your Ambassador proposes this wager. It is testament, I assume, to the generosity of your great nation - since the British Ambassador does not anticipate paying out.
Your email does not specify the exact terms of the wager. May I suggest that, in the event of an England victory, the US Ambassador agrees to entertain the British Ambassador at a steak-house of his choosing in downtown DC? And in the event that the United States is able to engineer a fortuitous win over England, then my man will entertain yours at a London pub of his choosing. Loser pays.
Your reference to a previous sporting encounter between our two countries puzzles me. Since the history of English football is long and extensive, in contradistinction to US soccer, I regret that I cannot immediately recall the encounter to which you refer. No doubt it is remembered fondly on these shores; we have quite forgotten it, however.
Are you sure you want to do this?
Yours sincerely, Martin Longden British Embassy Washington DC
________________________________
From: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London
To: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC
Subject: Re: World Cup Bet
Mr. Longden,
It is with great pleasure, and no small measure of anticipation, that the U.S. Ambassador accepts the terms of the wager. I am surprised, given the well known love of the British for history, that you have forgotten what happened the last time the “special relationship” was tested on the pitch. Of course, given the result, you are to be forgiven for having misplaced that particular episode in your memory banks. I refer of course to the victory of the U.S. over England in the 1950 World Cup.
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.
Game on!
Sincerely, Philip Breeden
________________________________
From: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC
To: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London
Subject: Re: World Cup Bet
Mr. Breeden,
Very well; it’s a bet!
Incidentally, you should know that the Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories - somewhat rare.
Sincerely,
Martin Longden
So if England wins, the U.S. Ambassador has to take the British Ambassador to a steakhouse "of his choosing" in downtown Washington, D.C., and if the U.S. wins, the British Ambassador has to take his American counterpart to a London pub. Loser, of course, pays.
Isn't it just so much fun when the most educated members of our nations engage in an attempt at hooligan banter? Look at all those finely formed sentences and sarcastic wit. You can almost feel the thinly repressed, wing-tipped rage.
For what it's worth (and there's no bet on this), Amo reckons it'll be 3-1 to England, 1-1 at half-time. I'd be happier with a few more goals from England, as a nice platform to thump Algeria and Slovenia. Of course, I'm not at all biased, just so long as England win all their games.
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