It was buzzing in and around The British Bulldog on Sunday afternoon.
A couple of blocks from Coors Field, where the Rockies were playing a key game against the Padres, thousands of soccer fans stood and watched the World Cup final unfold on a huge portable big screen outside the small pub.
Several European-style downtown bars were exclusively televising the big match between Spain and the Netherlands. But thanks to the Colorado Rapids, nobody celebrated soccer like the British bar and its sun-soaked patrons who, with the help of theater-like live audio of the game, drowned out what was going on inside Coors Field.
“This is a pretty big group,” said Jessie Stoo, a college student visiting from Chicago. “I’m surprised this group is so big since the U.S. team is out. But it seems everybody loves Spain.”
The Rapids of Major League Soccer played a part in renting the massive Mobile View screen, which was on a trailer behind a semi-truck. Everyone seemed to enjoy the temporarily gated street festival.
“I like it a lot, man,” said Mike Madarasz, 31, a Denver resident from Cleveland. “I think the United States as a whole is never going to appreciate soccer as much as the rest of the world, but this is a step in the right direction.”
Madarasz and many others donned Spain soccer jerseys. Madarasz isn’t Spanish but he said he supports the team — and The British Bulldog — because “they’ve got a handful of Liverpool players.”
Stoo and her cousin, former Standley Lake High School soccer player Max Stebelton, had conflicting rooting interests, but both had hoped semifinal loser Germany, which won the third-place match Saturday, would be in the final.
“I’m taking German right now (in college), and I am German,” said Stoo, who was pulling for Spain, which ended up winning 1-0 on an extra-time goal.
“Germany lost to Spain, but I think they deserve more than third place,” said Stebelton, rooting for the Dutch.
Closer to Coors Field, noted soccer bar Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub had all of its televisions on the World Cup. But only about 30 patrons showed up to watch the first half.
“They’re all at The British Bulldog, and I can’t handle it over there. Too many people,” said Amanda Avram, 28, a Denver resident from Ohio. “I’d rather come here and watch it.”
Avram and her friend didn’t care who won.
“We’re cheering for Nether-Spain, which is what we call it,” she said.
A few stools over, Austin Brown, who recently moved to Denver from Washington, D.C., enjoyed the quiet, soccer-specific atmosphere.
“When the U.S. got out, nobody comes down here from what I’ve seen,” Brown said. “When the U.S. was in, this place was packed.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Spain 1, Netherlands 0 (extra time)
THE STAR: It would be easy to name Andres Iniesta, who will be remembered for scoring the goal that gave Spain its first World Cup title. But Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who won the Golden Glove as the top player at his position, made a key play in the 62nd minute. Netherlands forward Arjen Robben had a rare breakaway and had the ball on his preferred left foot, but a charging Casillas got his right leg on the shot to deflect it wide of the gaping net.
THE DUBIOUS RECORD: Netherlands now has more victories in World Cup games without a title than any nation: 19. Spain had previously held that record with 24.
14: Yellow cards handed out in the game, a finals record.
