SAN MARCOS — While the big game may have ended in heartbreak for England fans, Sunday was still a good day for Churchill’s Pub and Grille.
The English-style watering hole in San Marcos was full to capacity for the UEFA European Championship final between England and Spain, which ended in a nail-biting 2-1 victory for the Spaniards.
Around 150 people showed up for the game, most of whom were wearing England’s red and white. Fans belted out songs like “Three Lions,” which became the unofficial England anthem during Euro ‘96.
“By 11 a.m., there was a line of people outside, but we got everyone in,” said longtime bartender and English native Tony Dowson. “We put on the jukebox, and everyone was upbeat and getting into the spirit of it.”
According to Dowson, both Sunday’s final in Berlin between England and Spain and Wednesday’s semi-final between England and the Netherlands had been a “great boost” for sales with Guinness being the tipple of choice.
Among the soccer enthusiasts at Churchill’s were also a few Spanish fans, who undoubtedly left the happier of the two sides after Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scored the late winner, which led to his team being crowned European champions for the 4th time.
England, meanwhile, haven’t won a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup, despite reaching two back-to-back European Championship finals.
Following the defeat, England manager Gareth Southgate announced Tuesday he was resigning from his post.
“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England,” said Southgate. “It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter.”
The painful wait to bring football home continues for England fans.
