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GET YOUR KICKS--EURO STYLE

Richmond's Penny Lane draws crowds for 2008 European Football Championships

BY CARDEN HEDELT

Date published: 6/26/2008

BY CARDEN HEDELT

In Austria and Switzerland, thousands of soccer fans have gathered in stadiums to watch Europe's top national teams compete in the UEFA European Football Championship.

In Richmond, the gathering place for soccer fans is Penny Lane Pub.

The pub looks as if it belongs on Penny Lane in Liverpool, with assorted soccer scarves hanging from the rafters above the bar, The Beatles on the stereo, a selection of British beers on tap and nearly any soccer game you can dream of on the television.

Eager fans of all sorts have been pouring into Penny Lane during the afternoons to have a pint and take in the European Championship, commonly called the Euros or the Euro tournament.

"I've had to close the doors on a regular basis during the Euros," owner Terry O'Neill said. "It can be an absolute madhouse in here when games are on."

In popular Fredericksburg-area sports bars, the crowds have been much smaller due to the fact that they don't offer the same pro-soccer atmosphere as Penny Lane.

"I've been to Penny Lane before," said Michael Hoy, general manager of Buffalo Wild Wings in Central Park. "They've got a special scene there. They've got great soccer fans that come out all the time. I wish we could have the same thing here."

Since it is one of very few bars that show soccer games on television on a regular basis, Penny Lane has developed a loyal following of soccer fans from all corners of the globe who contribute to the pub's atmosphere.

One such fan is Richmond resident Joe Farrell, originally from Scotland.

Farrell comes to Penny Lane to watch English and Scottish Premier League matches on weekends throughout the year, in addition to the Euro tournament.

"It's very difficult to find places that show soccer in this town," Farrell said. "Other bars just show football and baseball. This is one of the few places where you can count on having the match on."

For bigger soccer tournaments like the Euro tournament and the World Cup, Terry O'Neill and his son Terence have come to expect large crowds.

Four years ago, at the last Euro tournament, the final game fell on the Fourth of July, a Sunday. Neither of the O'Neills was counting on a busy day.

What: UEFA European Football Championship When: Semifinal is today at 2:30; final is Sunday at 2:30 (get there early). Where: Penny Lane Pub, 421 E. Franklin St., Richmond Cost: Entry is free. Open to all ages. Info: 804/780-1682 or pennylanepub.com. Not familiar with soccer lingo? Here are a few terms to keep you in the know: 18-yard box: The box in which the goalie can legally handle the ball. 50-50 ball: A loose ball that both teams have an equal chance of winning. Advantage: When an official allows play to continue after a foul because the team that was fouled would have been further punished if the referee stopped play. Back Four: A right full back, left full back, and two central defenders. Their primary task is to defend their goal. Chip: A long, lofted pass or shot used to catch a defender or goalie out of position. Clean sheet: A shutout. Counter: Attack launched by a defending team once it regains possession of the ball. Finish: The shot on goal after an offensive move. Grass-diving: Falling at any contact in order to draw a foul. Hooligans: Fans who go overboard in soccer enthusiasm, including committing violence. Midfielder: A player who has both offensive and defensive responsibilities. Kit: Uniform consisting of a jersey, shorts and socks. Offside: When an attacking player is positioned so that fewer than two defending players are between the attacker and the goal. Pitch: The field that the game is played on. Professional foul: A foul committed intentionally to prevent a goal-scoring opportunity. Red card: A card issued by the referee for a very serious infraction of the game's rules, or two less-serious infractions, resulting in that player's dismissal from the game. Striker: An offensive-minded player whose primary duty is to score goals. Woodwork: Slang for the frame of the goal. Worm-burner: A hard shot that skims the ground. Yellow card: A cautionary card given by the referees for a serious infraction of the game's rules.

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Date published: 6/26/2008