Soccer fans in Redlands and Loma Linda have more incentive to take long lunches the rest of this week, as live coverage of the Euro 2012 quarterfinals begins just before noon Thursday.
England supporters are especially glad to find their team in the quarters, and some of them will be at the on Orange Street on Sunday.
There are eight teams left in the quadrennial tournament, viewed by many observers as second only to the World Cup. Matches air live the next four days in a row at 11:45 a.m. Pacific Time in Redlands.
Czech Republic-Portugal open the quarterfinals Thursday, and Germany-Greece is Friday. Whether by chance or intent, the most interesting matchups are reserved for this weekend.
Defending World Cup 2010 and Euro 2008 winners Spain play France on Saturday, and lucky England takes on Italy in the last quarterfinal match on Sunday. Again, match coverage on all four days is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m. Pacific.
England is fortunate to be in the quarterfinals because Ukraine scored a tying goal in their final group match. But the referee and his assistants did not see it, and England ended up beating Ukraine 1-0 on the scoreboard.
The semifinals are scheduled Wednesday June 27 and Thursday June 28. The Euro 2012 final is Sunday July 1 in Kiev.
The Royal Falconer British Pub is at 106 Orange St., Redlands. For more information call (909) 307-8913.
