THRILLED pupils and staff from Copleston High School today spoke of their excitement at watching England on Saturday claiming it will be “a trip of a life time”.

THRILLED pupils and staff from Copleston High School today spoke of their excitement at watching England on Saturday claiming it will be “a trip of a life time”.

Forty-one pupils and four staff will be in Gelsenkirchen to watch Sven's men do battle with Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Their dream trip comes only two weeks after they were left heartbroken when they fell foul of an alleged World Cup ticket scam.

Today head teacher Laurie Robinson said there was a feeling of excitement among the pupils.

He said: “It's a bit of a bonus for the kids to be going to see England.

“The students are really looking forward to it. I got a call from Sports Minister Richard Caborn's PA telling me he and the Prime Minister had persuaded FIFA to come up with the tickets and the pupils would be flying out on a chartered flight. It's great news.”

The children, from years nine and 10, will board a coach on Saturday morning at 4.15am before being whisked off to Heathrow where they will board a flight with around 300 other pupils who missed out on tickets.

After watching the dramatic action unfold they will fly home returning to Ipswich in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Year 10 pupil Tori Cooch, 15, said: “We got a letter yesterday morning telling us about the tickets and I was really, really excited. I never thought we'd get the chance to see England.”

Nishan Emmamdeen, also 15, added: “I'm looking forward to seeing all the England players and some of the Portuguese players like Figo. It didn't sink in at first, I didn't think it would happen. I think the atmosphere will be very good because England will be trying to get revenge for Euro 2004.”

PE teacher and trip organiser Christian Appleford said he was thrilled that the pupils were finally getting an opportunity to see a game.

He said: “The children could not believe it when they found out. When they were told they were up and out of their seats jumping around. It was so different from the coach when we had to tell them there were no tickets. After seeing their faces that day it was great to be able to tell them they were going to see England. It's a trip of a lifetime and an experience they will never forget.”

n. Are you pleased the teenagers are finally getting to see England play? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk