Time difference doesn't dampen local soccer celebrations

Jeff Skokna surveys the crowd inside the George and Dragon Pub in Fremont, jammed wall-to-wall, sweltering, yelling, pouring down pitchers and pints.

Feels like a Friday night, says Skokna, who works the door. There's even a line of about 30 still waiting to get in.

Except it's 9:30 this morning.

The World Cup soccer tournament began today and an estimated 200 fans packed the English pub to watch on television, many arriving as early as 8 a.m. for the prime seating spots.

One obvious giveaway is the food. The patrons bellied up at the bar order breakfast sandwiches and scrambled eggs and toast instead of burgers and fries.

The truly international gathering included those born in Kenya, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Korea and the two countries in the opening match, Costa Rica and Germany.

Many are dressed in soccer jerseys as they watch Germany's 4-2 victory. A few wave flags and blow into horns. One fan has painted his face red. They report skipping work for a few hours, calling in sick, taking a vacation day and reveling in the realization of the four-year build up since the past World Cup tournament.

"Even my girlfriend knows," says Gregg Schneuer, 38, a Port of Seattle employee who pins a German flag under one of the television screens. "I can't be expected to do a lot things this month because I'm watching a lot of soccer."