PRAYERS, pints and football do not normally go hand in hand – but when it is the World Cup final anything can happen.In Kesgrave, worshippers who normally go to the All Saints Church were lucky enough to go from a service straight to the big match without moving a muscle.

By Jessica Nicholls

PRAYERS, pints and football do not normally go hand in hand – but when it is the World Cup final anything can happen.

In Kesgrave, worshippers who normally go to the All Saints Church were lucky enough to go from a service straight to the big match without moving a muscle.

Reverend Robin Spittle has been holding his services once a month in the Farmhouse Pub, St. Isidores since November.

The novel idea caught on and sometimes there have been up to 80 people going to the pub services – often many of them have been new faces, which is what Mr Spittle was trying to achieve.

He decided to hold the service in the pub yesterday especially for the titanic match between Brazil and Germany as he felt there were many similarities between football and life.

He said: "It is like life when everyone is working together.

"There is also a good reward when the game is eventually over."

Mr Spittle was hoping to watch the first half of the game and was going to be cheering Brazil on all the way.

The service, as always started at 11.15am and finished at midday – just in time for the start of the match and the pub to open.

But he was adamant that no prayers were going to be said on behalf of Brazil.

He said: "I love football and am a big Ipswich town fan but I never pray about it.

"Me and God have an understanding that if I don't pray for a side to win then he won't listen to the prayers of the opposition."

Brazilian fan Francisco Decarvalho, who was featured in the Evening Star last month watching the England v Brazil match at British Telecom in Martlesham, said he was delighted with the World Cup win.

Francisco, of Clapgate Lane said: "It was fantastic, I watched the game with my friend Glauber and a few German friends.

"The Germans said they would stay around afterwards for a barbecue but after the final whistle they left pretty quickly!

"After the game I spoke to my Dad in Brazil which was great – it's going mad over there.

I feel a bit tired this morning and a bit hung over but it was well worth it and I'm really pleased for Ronaldo."