Watching their lads win World Cup quarterfinal, 300-plus Britain fans jam Hermosa Beach’s Underground Pub
In the corner of Hermosa Beach’s Underground Bar and Grill stood a lone Swedish soccer fan.
A nervous look on his face, he fidgeted. Perhaps he’d just realized he’d made a huge mistake.
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You might be nervous, too, if you were surrounded by what must have felt like the entire British-born population of Southern California – packed elbow-to-elbow like canned kippers in this cozy pub – as Sweden took on England in the World Cup Quarter Final, broadcast live from Russia on Saturday morning.
The Brits got the best of the day. Their lads topped the Swedes, 2-0, with their adoring fans beaming and boisterous all morning long.
Underground has been hosting England’s marquee matches since this year’s World Cup began. And more and more fans have flocked to the pub each time the Brits advanced.
On Saturday, the pub was packed to capacity: 338 people.
(Photo by Robert Casillas, Contributing Photographer)
The bar, formerly owned by legendary Manchester United footballer/pop-culture icon George Best, has become the go-to spot for fans of England’s top-billed sporting events.
“The fact that the bar was once owned by George Best makes it a sort of pilgrimage for English soccer fans,” says Tom Kelly, a 16-year patron of the pub who now works security there.
The walls are lined with Union Jacks and other British paraphernalia – and more than 30 TV screens. And there’s even one in the restroom (pardon me, the loo) so you’ll never miss a moment.
“I’ve been going there for years,” says Kyle Boomer, one of the fans in attendance. “The World Cup atmosphere this morning was truly an authentic and special experience.”
At 7 a.m., the atmosphere at Underground was already amped up.
England’s fans – many of them perhaps having already invested in a pint or two – sang and shouted, cheered and jeered at the top of their lungs.
Each time England scored, the fans rocked the room. They stomped their feet, thrust arms overhead and shouted at the top of their lungs. It’s the Cup, after all.
Jeers ranging from impolite to profane could be heard every time Sweden’s forwards approached England’s goal.
It’s unknown how the British fans would react to an opposing team’s goal, the Swedes failed to penetrate Britain’s sturdy defense to score.
England will play the winner of the Russia-Croatia match in the World Cup Semi Final this Wednesday at 11 a.m.
If you’re in the Hermosa area and are a fan of British football, you can stop by Underground.
But arrive early. The place will be packed long before the match kicks off on the pitch.
And be prepared for your eardrums to be ringing afterward.