Oh Co-lombia! South London expats whistle and sing – but are silenced

England had the last word in the World Cup last 16 but there was no missing the passion from those in yellow, blue and red at the Colombia bar in Elephant and Castle

The air in Elephant and Castle was hot and thick. It has been like this for days across south London and at times it’s been too much. Suffocatingly so. But not on Tuesday, given the breeze that was also whipping around, offering sweet relief to commuters and passersby alike.

Nowhere was it stronger than on Elephant Road, a strip of small businesses located underneath the railway station and where this area’s strong Colombian community regularly congregate. There are Colombian restaurants here, such as Lenos & Carbon, as well as delicatessens, such as La Fama. And there are bars, none more popular than the Colombian, or so it seemed from the queue of people that had formed outside the venue by 4pm. They stood waiting underneath fluttering flags, most dressed in yellow, blue and red. The colours of Los Cafeteros. Excitement building ahead of battle with England.

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