JUBILANT pupils from Copleston High School today spoke of their delight at the prospect of watching England's World Cup tussle with Portugal after their tickets to the quarter-final clash were confirmed.

JUBILANT pupils from Copleston High School today spoke of their delight at the prospect of watching England's World Cup tussle with Portugal after their tickets to the quarter-final clash were confirmed.

More than 40 staff and students were left heartbroken and out of pocket after shelling out nearly £400 to watch a match only to find out on the way to the stadium that they had fallen foul of an alleged scam.

However, the government and Fifa stepped in to ensure the disappointed youngsters did not miss out and they will now be taking their seats in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday to cheer on Beckham, Rooney and co.

Year ten pupil Martin Careswell said there was a buzz among those heading back to Germany.

He continued: “When we found out, it was brilliant. It's the only thing that could make up for what we lost when we missed out on those tickets.

“To find out so far into the trip that we weren't going made us all completely gutted. Now, everyone is really excited.

“I think England will win - it's England all the way!”

Mum Lynne added: “We're just so pleased for the boys and girls after being so let down. We didn't expect it.”

Pupil James Wright, 15, of Marlborough Road, Ipswich, said: “Everyone is just delighted. We thought it was all over and now it's even better than it was.

“I was really hacked off before. We had travelled 11 hours on the coach and got nothing. Now we're all ecstatic.”

The party will be leaving on Saturday morning for the game, which kicks-off at 4pm, and will return the same night.

The pupils at Copleston were among 400 from across the country who were caught up in the fiasco, involving travel operator Activ4.

David East, assistant head at Copleston High School, said: “We are delighted that the government and Fifa have been able to arrange tickets for our students to see the England versus Portugal match on Saturday.

“We'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to this trip, which will really make up for our earlier disappointment.

“I know all the students are very excited about seeing such an important game, and are looking forward to going to Germany again.”

Are you one of the pupils going to Germany? What do you think of what has happened? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblink: www.fifaworldcup.yahoo.com