Cup fever strikes (From Penarth Times)

Cup fever strikes

PENARTH'S footie mad pubs are gearing up for the World Cup which kicks off in Seoul tomorrow.

Numerous popular drinking holes are showing the matches which take place in Japan and Korea.

However, fans wanting to watch matches live in pubs from as early as 7.30am will be disappointed as none will be opening early.

But, most landlords say they will show all the main matches taking place in opening hours, and possibly repeats. Most 'in hours' matches kick off at 12.30pm, including England's game against Argentina on Friday, June 7.

The pubs showing matches include: The Cefn Mably, Penarth; The Railway, Penarth; The Pilot, Penarth; The Clive Arms, Penarth; The Cogan Hotel, Penarth; The Station, Penarth; The Star, Dinas Powys; The Swan, Dinas Powys; and The Sully Inn, Sully.

Those not showing matches include: The Golden Lion, Penarth; The Windsor, Penarth; The Malthouse, Dinas Powys; and The Three Horseshoes, Dinas Powys.

Christopher Davey, assistant manager at The Railway, said: "We were thinking of opening early but it wouldn't be worth our while due to costs.

"However, we're open 11am until 11pm every day apart from Sunday, which is noon until 10.30pm. In those hours we will be showing all the matches on our two big screens and three televisions. We'll be having lots of promotions on drinks too."

Philip Musa, landlord of The Pilot, said: "We will be showing all the games that we can. We've had a lot of interest."

England's first game takes place this Sunday against Sweden, kicking off 10.30am in Saitama. The World Cup runs until Sunday, June 30 when the finalists play each other at Yokohama International Stadium in Japan at noon.

l What extremes have you gone to see the matches? Have you had any funny World Cup experiences? Phone Ceri Garner on 2070 7234.