It's bar room only for Pompey's match with Italian giants
Pubs and restaurants are gearing up for a busy night on Thursday when Pompey host Italian giants AC Milan.
Tickets for the match at Fratton Park are completely sold out, forcing many fans to settle for a seat at the bar to watch the historic clash.
The Blue Anchor in London Road, North End, is expecting a busy night and is inviting Pompey fans to make it a family affair – kids are being welcomed and fans are being encouraged to take their relatives with them.
Landlord Colin Nash said: 'I'm a big Pompey fan and think we can do it.
'I think Pompey could win 3-0 – we have played some really good football since Harry Redknapp left, and were unlucky not to win on Saturday.
'I think our players will do us proud against AC Milan, and we hope to get the pub filled with fans to support the boys.'
Mr Nash is hoping for an early score – he is offering cheap drinks until the first goal goes in.
Tony Adams' players are looking to put Hull City's late equaliser on Saturday behind them and rise to the challenge of keeping the likes of Kaka and Ronaldinho at bay.
Dave Livingstone, bar manager at the University of Portsmouth's student union, expects about 100 footie-mad students to watch the game.
He said: 'A lot of students in Portsmouth are not from the area but we expect a lot of them to be down here.
'A lot of students adopt Pompey as their second team while they are here. I know of some who have bought a shirt by the time they finish their third year.'
Sharing in the excitement in the build-up to Thursday is Maurizio Dipancrazio, Italian owner of the Villa Romana restaurant in High Street, Fareham.
Mr Dipancrazio, who is going to the match, is excited about seeing the Italian team's star players in action.
He said: 'I'm more of a Portsmouth fan because the footballers often come into the restaurant to eat, but AC Milan are a great Italian team, so I look forward to watching them.
'I'm taking a friend of mine to the match. He is coming over from Bologna in Italy to watch the game.'
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
