Thousands of fans in pubs, public squares, even churches, watched England draw 1-1 in their opening game against Sweden.

There was widespread resignation about the result, as the game was screened in some 10,000 pubs, which had opened early for the occasion.

In several cities the game was shown on huge screens erected in public squares.

Emmanuel Church, Didsbury: England score

And the Archbishop of Canterbury had given approval for churches to move times of services to avoid a clash with the game.

At the Sports Cafe in Birmingham's Broad Street, fans accepted the final result stoically.

"England played well for the first half but did not go well in the second half," said William Bryan of Solihull.

"We should have been able to hold on at 1-0. We seemed to go into a slide," said Ian Davies of West Bromwich.

In nearby Centenary Square, Paul Cumbers, from Sheffield, was one of 2,000 watching the match in big screens.

"We just followed the crowd down here and we are lapping up the atmosphere," he told BBC News Online.

Birmingham: Sweden equalise

Bob Harris travelled from Edinburgh to Birmingham to watch the game.

"I must be the only Scottish person supporting England, but I am having a great time especially with England playing so well," he said after England took the lead 1-0.

The early opening of pubs followed a High Court ruling.

Many bars opened as early as 0900 BST, often serving breakfasts in the run up to kick off.

The Swedish landlady of the White Hart pub in Winshcombe, Gloucestershire, offered customers a traditional Swedish breakfast, including pickled herrings or an English fry-up.

Swedish resident Solveig Berglund, who lives in Coventry, told BBC News Online she was going to a club to watch the game.

Supporting Sweden

"It will have more atmosphere and will be more fun.

"But I will be meeting more England supporters, and I do not know if I will have to keep a low profile."

With the World Cup, the Golden Jubilee and the BBC's Music Live events, there were big crowds in many city centres, including Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Norwich.

At Walsgrave Baptist Church, Coventry, Reverend Ian Collinson moved the morning service to allow the match to be screened live.

At Ecclesall church in Sheffield beer was being served to people watching the game.

Happy to drink

Reverend Peter William said: "The church doesn't disapprove of alcohol.

"Most Christians are perfectly happy to drink in moderation."

The Archbishop of Canterbury approved of Church of England services being moved to allow people to watch the game.

Dr George Carey said: "Worship comes first of course, but the World Cup only comes round every four years, so we can afford to be flexible."