Euro fever pitch

Dozens of pubs across the city are expected to be bursting at the seams on Sunday as England fans flock to watch the game against the current European champions on the big screen.

At The Junction pub, in Leeman Road, drinkers can recreate one of the most memorable moments in England's football history.

They will be invited to don a Chris Waddle "mullet" wig and shoot for glory - commemorating his penalty miss which sent the Germans through to the final of the 1990 World Cup.

Each Waddle wannabe will pay 50p for three goes at kicking the ball through marked holes. The money goes to charity and sharpshooters will win prizes.

Landlord Paul Turner is confident that a foam ball ricocheting around the pub will not cause too many breakages.

The footie-mad publican has also set up a Director's Box in the back room for Euro 2004, which kicked off in Portugal today.

Up to 50 people can pay £10 a head to sit in the raised area to watch the game on the big screen, enjoy two free pints, a buffet supper and waitress service.

At The Acomb pub, in Kingsway West, landlord Paul Harris is expecting a patriotic atmosphere. "We should be packed to the rafters," he said. "The atmosphere will be cracking."

Next Generation leisure club, in Hull Road, is offering free entry for fans to watch the game on a cinema screen, with special deals on food and drink.

Meanwhile, supporters are expressing their love for the team in outrageous displays of patriotism.

England nut Rob Hawksby, a takeaway driver from Barkston Avenue, has transformed his Rover 216 car into a huge England flag. "I wanted to do something to mark the occasion," he said. "My wife refuses to get in the car because she doesn't like it! She couldn't believe what I'd done.

"It will be a tough match against the French but I'm hoping we'll get through." Punters from York are bracing themselves for the biggest betting month ever. More than £250,000 is expected to be staked in the city on events such as Euro 2004 and Wimbledon.

Joe Scanlon, managing director, of Totesport said: "With Euro 2004 starting today and then Wimbledon a few weeks later, we expect York punters to really splash the cash this month."

England have already been backed down to third favourites to win Euro 2004, at 6/1.

Meanwhile, furniture retailer MFI has responded to fans' pleas and announced that it will sell St George's Cross sofas today and tomorrow. Originally, only 50 were produced as a very limited edition and were not available for sale, but now, because of the demand, MFI are making the sofas available for purchase from any of their stores for just this weekend, so fans can cheer on England from a truly patriotic seat.

An MFI spokesperson said: "The public have seen our sofas in the media and we've taken hundreds of calls enquiring about them.

"So, for the opening Euro 2004 weekend, we're making them available to buy at a special offer price of £399 for a large, three- seater sofa.

"We're even supplying a spare set of plain cream cushions, so when football fever is over you'll have a stylish sofa for your living room."

These are some of the York pubs which could be showing

Sunday's big game:

Charles XII, Heslington

Cross Keys, Goodramgate

The Windmill, Blossom Street

The Ainsty Hotel, Boroughbridge Road

Five Lions Hotel, Walmgate

Cock and Bottle, Skeldergate

The Greyhound, Dunnington

Mitre Hotel, Shipton Road

Shoulder Of Mutton, Heworth

Northern Wall, Fossgate

The Old Ebor, Nunnery Lane

Quaker Wood, Woodthorpe

Holiday Inn, Tadcaster Road

Acorn ARL Sports And Social Club, Thanet Road

The Burton Stone Inn, Clifton

Old Grey Mare, Clifton Green

Carlton Tavern, Acomb Road

Corner Pin, Tanner Row

Flag And Whistle, Huntington

Little John, Castlegate

Light Horseman, Fulford

White Horse, Bootham

The Flying Legends, Clifton Moor

The Beagle, Foxwood Lane

The Cedarwood, Rawcliffe Caravan Site

The Melbourne, Cemetery Road

Cross Keys, Dunnington

The Grapes, King Street

Edinburgh Arms, Fishergate

McMillans, Rougier Street

The Poacher, Acomb

Fulford Arms, Fulford

The Exhibition Hotel, Bootham

Plough Inn, Fulford

Royal Oak, Copmanthorpe

The Bootham Tavern, Bootham

Thomas's, Museum Street

The Fox Inn, Holgate Road

Old White Swan, Goodramgate

Deramore Arms, Heslington

The Micklegate, Micklegate

Wagon And Horses, Lawrence Street

The Golden Lion, Church Street

Corner House, Burton Stone Lane

The Bedroom, Micklegate

Black Horse, Wigginton

Red Lion, Haxby

The Cottage, Haxby

Blacksmith's Arms, Huntington

Clifton Hotel, Water Lane

Cross Keys, Tadcaster Road

Cygnet, Price Street

Dick Turpin, Woodthorpe

Dunnington & Grimstone Sports Club, Dunnington

Golden Ball, Bishophill

Haxby Working Men's Club,Haxby

Henry J Bean's, Tower Street

Huntington Working Men's Club, Huntington

Knavesmire, Albermarle Road

Lord Collingwood, Upper Poppleton

Nag's Head, Micklegate

Rose And Crown, Lawrence Street

The Swan, Bishopgate Street

Volunteer Arms, Watson Street

Walkers Bar, Micklegate

Walnut Tree, Heworth

Wellington Inn, Alma Terrace

Wenlock Arms, Wheldrake

York Health Service Club, White Cross Lane

Are you doing anything unusual to mark Euro 2004?

If so, phone reporter Matthew Woodcock on 01904 653051 extension 305, or email matthew.woodcock@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 09:26 Saturday, June 12, 2004