POTCHEFSTROOM, SOUTH AFRICA – Joe Morris, who drew Spain in his office sweepstake, has flown to the team’s training camp to personally tell the players off after becoming so angry with their loss to Switzerland.
“Bloody prima donnas! This is the sweepstake for crying out loud! Or does that mean nothing to them?!” screamed Mr Morris at a Heathrow check-in lady before his 8:43pm connecting flight.
He paid over £1,000 on last-minute travel plans from London to personally protect his £5 investment and guide Spain to sweepstake victory, guaranteeing his £80 cash prize from the office pot. “We were running through some drills when this man runs toward us shouting” said striker Fernando Torres. “He was screaming about passion and commitment…and about Dave not getting a penny? It was very motivating. We will do better in the next game.”
Spain had been pre-sweepstake favourites and it was thought anyone who drew them was a sho0-in for a cash prize, but this shock defeat could go down as the biggest in sweepstakes history and has already wiped smug grins from the faces of an estimated 20,000 UK employees.
“I had plans for that money” raged Dennis Potter, a Royal Mail postman who also drew Spain. “They better get their act together fast, or I’ll be a laughing stock down the pub.”
Office banter has been thrown on its head as workers getting so-called weaker teams suddenly find themselves with a chance of gloating to their colleagues. Bookmakers William Hill have already slashed odds on Spain ticket holders patting themselves on the back come July 11th from 2/1 down to 11/2.
Though many back at his London office believe such direct action ‘breaks the spirit’ of friendly office competition, Mr Morris dismisses such criticisms as weak, saying that kind of thinking ‘is for losers’.
Fernando Torres is playing for Chelsea. It's fantastic!!!