Divided loyalties in Blake household
Oliver and Jenifer Blake will be watching the England/Columbia game at home in Shrewsbury tonight with divided loyalties.
For Jen will be shouting for her home country, Colombia, while Oli will be cheering for England.
The couple met in 2014 when Jen did work experience as part of her master's degree at the company Oli worked for.
They married in Shrewsbury in July 2016 but it took 10 months of red tape for the new Mrs Blake to be given Home Office spouse visa and she was able to flight to Britain from Spain where she was studying.
Happily settled in Belle Vue, Jen, 31, said she loved football.
"It is the main sport in Colombia and I have grown up with the sport.
"I come from a big family with lots of boys, all of them played football every day. I used to play a little bit but I'm not very good at keeping the ball. Hopefully Colombia will be able to keep the ball tomorrow.
She said her family would all be watching the game in Colombia.
"A national football game is a reason for family and friends to meet and party. The Colombian supporters are very vocal and passionate about their team. I think this will be obvious to see in the stadium tonight.
"It will be a close game. Both England and Colombia look good during set-pieces and maybe the winning goal will come from a free kick?
"We have Juan Quintero for the free kicks and I don't think many people had heard of him before this world cup. I predict 2-1 with Colombia winning after 90 minutes."
Oli, 30, a talented athlete originally from Rhydycroesa, Oswestry, said: "Of course I will be supporting England. It will be tense when we watch the game together tomorrow.
"I'm going to be bold and say whoever wins this game will go on to make the final. I predict 2-1 to England after extra time but if Colombia wins I won't be too disappointed."
