No England - but pubs still fly the flag
Pubs have been putting a brave face on England's absence from Euro 2008 by flying the flag for other nations.
Despite a recent poll on ThePublican.com showing fewer than one in five pubs were backing another country, those that have are reaping the benefits.
The Lord Wolseley in Islington, North London has gone Dutch for the tournament - and reaped more than £500 over and above its usual Monday night takings during Holland's 3-0 victory over Italy last week.
Greene King tenant Declan Corcoran decked out the pub in orange and handed out 1,000 flyers to residents and businesses, including a delivery to the Dutch Embassy in Kensington.
"We're an Arsenal pub - I sat down with my regulars and said instead of sitting around and crying into our beer about England not being there, let's back somebody else.
"After Monday night I'm counting my lucky stars! We had three dozen Dutch fans here, which was more than I expected, and a great atmosphere."
A number of pubs are backing Poland, despite their 2-0 opening defeat to Germany last weekend.
York licensee Peter Pendlebury, of the Windmill pub, said the arrangement was working "really well".
"I asked my mate's girlfriend, who is Polish, to spell out 'Come on Poland' for me and we put it on Polish flags in the window.
"We had 30-odd Poles in the bar for the Germany game, and takings were a lot better than they would normally be on a Sunday night - and it's cost us next to nothing!"
But the allegiance won't last forever - Peter is already preparing to back Italy or Spain if Poland go out at the end of the group stage.
How is Euro 2008 going for you? Tell the news team at news@thepublican.com or on 020 7955 3710
