Tickets for screening of Italy clash sell out

Published on Sunday 11 November 2007 00:02

THEY were - to use the football commentator's cliché - as sick as parrots. Thousands of tickets went on sale yesterday for an outdoor screening of Scotland's Euro 2008 clash with Italy, selling out almost immediately and disappointing countless members of the Tartan Army.

Six thousand tickets, priced at 12 each, for the event on Glasgow Green on Saturday went on sale at 10am and had sold out three minutes later.

A spokesman for Ticketmaster said: "Party on the Green is a sell-out. The level of demand was incredible and we could have sold many more tickets."

Douglas Brown, from East Kilbride, was one of thousands of unlucky callers. "I tried about five times to get through, but when I did, all I got was a recorded message saying all the tickets were sold out," he said.

"It would have been the next best thing to seeing the match at Hampden and I'm gutted to miss out.

"There will be a lot of people in the same position as myself, so hopefully the organisers will make more tickets available."

A city council spokesman would not be drawn on whether the event would be expanded, but said: "We are not surprised that tickets have sold so quickly because we knew it would be hugely popular. People will have a fantastic time."

Hamish Husband, spokesman for the West of Scotland Tartan Army, said: "Twelve quid for a ticket is fine, providing we win. Hopefully we will get a refund if we lose."

As well as showing the game, the event will feature a day of entertainment, designed to create a carnival atmosphere.

It will give thousands of fans without tickets for the do-or-die clash at Hampden the chance to sample the big match atmosphere.

A fan zone will boast two marquees with bars, food stalls and giant screens, which will show the match and footage of Scotland's most famous victories.

Before the game, Scotland legends and celebrities will warm up the crowd.

Stirring anthems will be provided by pipers and bands Clanadonia and Four Good Men, while woad-painted warriors will re-enact scenes from the 1995 Mel Gibson blockbuster Braveheart. There will also be fireworks, DJs, face-painting and beer tents.

Speaking before the tickets went on sale, council leader Steven Purcell said: "This is the biggest Scotland match for a decade or more. Everyone will want to see the boys beat Italy and I want to ensure that as many people as possible can share the atmosphere.

"This city is football daft and there's going to be a great party when we welcome our Italian friends here later this month. The events planned for Glasgow Green should mean everyone who goes along will have a fantastic time."

Tickets for the Hampden clash are also sold out, with black-market briefs for the game being advertised for as much as 300 online.

Scotland can qualify with a draw against Italy if their opponents then lose their game in hand to the part-time players of the tiny Faroe Islands.

But realistically, Scotland must beat the World Cup champions to reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998.