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Olé Olé or Ollie Ollie? Lincoln tapas team split over Euros final

July 12, 2024


By Sarah-May Buccieri, BBC News

Sarah-May Buccieri / BBC Chef Violeta Juceviciute and manager Amador Abruneiras Jr standing back-to-back and smiling in the kitchen of the Olé Olé restaurant. In the background are chrome cooking units.Sarah-May Buccieri / BBC

Head chef Violeta Juceviciute supports England, while manager Amador Abruneiras Jr is backing Spain

Loyalties will be divided when staff at a tapas restaurant sit down to watch the Euro 2024 final.

Olé Olé, in the shadow of Lincoln castle, brings a taste of Spain to the historic city.

But while the front-of-house staff will be flying the Spanish flag on Sunday, the kitchen team will be right behind England, after Ollie Watkins’ late strike against the Netherlands set up the prospect of a sizzling final.

“You could split the tension with a knife,” said manager Amador Abruneiras Jr.

Sarah-May Buccieri / BBC Two male kitchen staff flank a female colleague with her arms raised in celebration in the kitchen of the Olé Olé restaurant. They wear red and blue uniforms and blue chefs hats.Sarah-May Buccieri / BBC

The team have been watching matches together in the restaurant

Colleagues will be watching the game together in the restaurant when it kicks off at 20:00 BST.

Mr Abruneiras Jr, 31, has a Spanish father and an English mother.

He said he enjoyed the rivalry at the restaurant, but his support for Spain, where he grew up, would never waiver.

“They’re the most entertaining team in the world,” he added. “I’m really excited for them to win.”

Sarah-May Buccieri / BBC A smiling Amador Abruneiras Jr, the restaurant manager, wears a white Spain football shift. He is standing in front of the bright, white restaurant kitchen. In the background, a kitchen worker cooks on chrome units.Sarah-May Buccieri / BBC

Mr Abruneiras Jr says England will not be a pushover

Spain have won all six games in the tournament so far – a record in the Euros – but a seventh victory is likely to be hard fought.

“It will not be easy for Spain,” said Mr Abruneiras Jr, who moved to the UK aged 12. “Anything could happen.”

Spain were European champions in 1964, 2008 and 2012. They are bidding to become the first nation to win a fourth title.

But in the kitchen, support for England runs deep and the chefs have said “it is clear” who will win.

Head chef Violeta Juceviciute, 25, said: “It will be tense to watch the final, but it is coming home.”

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