The upcoming World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday is set to create a particularly tense atmosphere in one Lincoln household. Maria Herraiz, originally from Madrid, will be cheering for Spain, while her husband, Andres Roco, an Argentinian native, will be firmly behind his home nation. The couple, who jointly operate a delicatessen in Lincoln, find their loyalties divided as the global footballing spectacle reaches its climax.
Adding another layer of complexity to the family's allegiances are their three children. Despite their parents' heritage, the youngsters were born in England and consequently support the English national team. This creates a unique situation where three different countries are represented within a single family's footballing preferences for the final match. Andres noted the significant division, stating they were 'so divided' across three nations.
The family's business, Nonna Juana, located on Burton Road, is a reflection of their mixed heritage, blending Spanish and Argentinian cuisines. However, when it comes to football, these culinary collaborations do not extend to national team loyalties. Maria expressed that while she would be 'happy either way' with the result, her ultimate desire is for Spain to win, even predicting a 3-1 victory for the European champions.
Andres, who has also lived in Spain, admitted his loyalties were split '60-40' in favour of Argentina. The semi-final saw Argentina defeat England in a contentious match, and Maria observed that customers at their deli were subsequently 'all supporting Spain' for the final. The match is anticipated to be a compelling contest, pitting Spain's reputation for a stingy defence against Argentina's formidable forward line.
Beyond the intense rivalries, Maria also humorously pointed out a personal challenge for the evening: 'staying awake', as she typically goes to sleep early. The final is scheduled to kick off on Sunday at 8:00 PM BST, with live coverage beginning an hour earlier, promising an evening of high drama for football fans and families like the Herraiz-Roco household across the UK.