THEY may not win the tournament or even get through to the second round, but Oxford's Jamaican fans say they're going to enjoy every minute of this year's World Cup.

The team from the sun-kissed shores of the island better known for cricket, holidays and exporting sugar and bananas, are in the finals for the first time and their supporters are planning to make it count.

Parties are being planned especially for the occasions when the team take to the field, starting on June 14 against Croatia, followed days later by matches with Argentina and fellow-newcomers Japan.

The fact that Jamaica, whose side is known as the Reggae Boyz, are at the finals in the first place is the stuff of dreams and has caused the island's population of just under 2.5m to explode into celebration.

Thousands of miles away in Britain too, Jamaicans are counting down the days, including 20-year-old Soweto Kinch, a history student at Hertford College, who is delighted the Reggae Boyz are taking their sunny style to France. "I can't think of anyone who's not happy about it," said Soweto, president of Oxford University's Africa Society and a committee member of the university's black caucus group.

"It's the first time that a British-speaking Caribbean island has made it to the World Cup and the first time we're getting the recognition for the talent we have.

"The day we qualified was hailed as the biggest day in Jamaica's sporting history and was made a national holiday. "It's very important for everyone. We don't rate our chances too highly, but we'll all be partying to celebrate just being there."

The hero of the island is Deon Burton, Jamaica's star striker and a player at Premier League team Derby County, who has been rewarded with the title of Jamaican sportsman of the year - elbowing fast bowler legend Courtney Walsh into second place.

Other British-based players - dubbed The Beatles by the rest of the Jamaican squad - are Robbie Earle, of Wimbledon, and Portsmouth duo Fitzroy Simpson and Paul Hall.

Soweto said: "Deon's a hero because although we qualified by drawing our last game 0-0 against Mexico to get to France, his goal in the game before gave us enough points to make it.

"Also we're proud of him because he could have chosen to play for the England team but made the decision to play for Jamaica because he's proud to come from there."

Jamaican student Vanya Bromfield, 20, who is studying law at Magdalen College and is another committee member of Black Caucus, says although she is not a football fan, like many people, the World Cup will make her take an interest.

She said: "It's like in the Olympics. If there are Jamaicans in the finals, you want to see them win."

"It's nice that Jamaica have qualified and there's a real feeling of national pride. I'll be in Oxford during part of the finals and I'll watch the team on television."

Soweto will be travelling in France by the time the championships start, but for those left behind, the place to be will be the Hi-Lo Jamaican Eating House in Cowley Road.

Events are already being planned to tie in with the team's games, including raffling T-shirts and promotions, and fans will be munching on traditional rice, peas, curried goat and spicy Jamaican patties, washed down with Red Stripe Lager, Dragon Stout and Carib beer.

Owner Andy Anderson said: "Football's really big in Jamaica at the moment. It's saying something that cricket was one of the main sports and to come onto the football scene like this is really exciting. The Reggae Boyz must have a good chance. They recently beat Nigeria and drew with Brazil.

"The more international experience they get, the better they become.

"We'll be watching all the games here and we're expecting quite a crowd." FACT FILE Population: 2,500,000

Area: 4,230 sq miles

Capital: Kingston

Team nickname: The Reggae Boyz

Colours: Green, black and gold

Manager: Rene Simoes

Star players: Deon Burton, Robbie Earle, Ian Goodison.

First opponents: Croatia (June 14)

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