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The US Sun
England fans take to the streets with pints in hand to cheer Three Lions onto Euros victory & end 58 years of heartache
By Ryan Merrifield,
1 day ago
ENGLAND fans are out in force across the UK and in Germany ahead of tonight’s Euro 2024 final.
More than 50,000 Three Lions supporters have travelled to Berlin, with many downing pints, while others are enjoying a mini hotrod tour and holding up the traffic.
Crowds of rowdy fans are gathering in London ahead of the match Zuma Press Tabitha Butler, 26 and Beatrice Lennon-Butler, 23 in Birmingham SWNS Fans hitting the pubs in Leeds ahead of the game NB PRERSS LTD Fans start their joyous celebrations early in central London Alamy England fans are out in full force in central London Alamy England fans pose for a photo at Breitscheidplatz PA England fans enjoying a mini Hotrod tour while holding up traffic Paul Edwards England fans with a replica UEFA Euro 2024 Trophy at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin today PA One fan in Berlin climbed up a flag pole PA Tom Staite, 27, from Warwick, Joe Lyon, 27, from Birmingham and Billy Hodder, 27, from Yatton SWNS
In Manchester, the city centre was transformed last into a massive fan zone as over 4,500 England supporters packed out the Progress Centre in Ardwick.
A sea of white shirts flooded into the outdoor venue – less than a mile from Piccadilly station – hours before kick-off while chanting “It’s Coming Home”.
The jubilant crowd, undeterred by Manchester’s grey skies and unseasonably low 16C temperatures, wrapped themselves in St George’s flags to keep warm.
Before the game, Lee Wright, 34, said: “Tonight’s the night. It’s finally coming home.
“If we win, I’m definitely pulling a sickie tomorrow.
“It’s history in the making and I have no intentions of going to bed if we batter Spain.”
Tickets for the outdoor venue – kitted out with anti-glare screens, pop-up bars, food traders, and a DJ – sold out days before the final.
Wearing an England shirt and a novelty St George’s hat, Paul Clarke said: “We’ve been waiting for this since 1966. No other team has suffered the years of heartbreak quite like England.
“We deserve the win – this is our time now.”
Richard Welburn said: “Spain are probably the worst team we could be up against in terms of skill and their track record for winning.
It’s not just the English in Berlin – hordes of Spaniards are also partying in the city Alamy Fans have hit the streets in London Alamy Fans are out in force in Leeds NB PRERSS LTD
“But nothing’s nailed on in football and I’m confident we can do it.
“The atmosphere is amazing, the support couldn’t be better for the team. Let’s just hope they shine tonight.”
Brits have been snapped at the likes of Brandenburg Gate and Friedrichstrasse, with many donning replica shirts and St George’s cross flags.
Some are even brandishing a full size trophy in Breitscheidplatz.
Plenty are already enjoying a drink in the sun at the Reichstag Euro 2024 Fan Zone.
Thousands are also descending on fan zones across the UK – including in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol.
While many fans are making last ditch efforts to get to Germany – despite warnings of traffic chaos heading into Britain’s busiest airports this weekend.
England fans have paid thousands of pounds, travelling by air, road and rail to Germany to be at the match.
Alfie Bray, 21, a mechanical engineer from Birmingham, had flown from London to Frankfurt and got the train to Berlin.
He and friend Callum Williams, 21, booked travel to the city as soon as the second goal was scored in the semi-final.
Martin Rafferty, 44, from Birmingham, said he and friends had driven for 15 hours to reach the city despite not having tickets for the final.
He said: “It could be a chance of making history.”
Tony Rudd, 37, made a journey of 26 hours to get to Berlin from his home in Darwin, Australia, costing about £4,500.
He said: “I made a last-minute decision. I went ‘I’m going’.”
Pubs and bars across England are allowed to stay open until 1am on Monday morning – with boozy fans already pictured setting off flares in Trafalgar Square in London.
British Beer And Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “On what promises to be a hugely exciting day for the country we expect an incredible 10 million extra pints to be poured in our pubs this Sunday to toast England’s Euros final.
A jubilant England fan poses with both of his pints PA England fans from Mansfield, Nottingham and Peterborough at Breitscheidplatz PA
“A huge £48 million in additional trade for pubs and breweries will be generated by fans across the nation.”
It comes as England stars triumphantly saw off the Netherlands on Wednesday in the semi-final with a last gasp Ollie Watkins winner.
The Three Lions are hoping to end their 58-year wait for glory against Spain.
England men have never reached a major final on foreign soil and have also never lost a match in Berlin before.
All 26 members of the squad were in full training.
It gives Gareth Southgate a selection decision to make at left-back after Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier played half the game each in the semi-final victory over Holland .
Trippier has been nursing a calf strain and Shaw is yet to play over 45 minutes at the tournament so far.
Once training is over, England will leave Blankenhain and head to Berlin at 3.30pm.
England fans light flares as they enjoy the atmosphere in Trafalgar Square, London AP Luke Osborne, 27 and Hugh Burrowes, 28, from Cannock SWNS More than 50,000 England fans have descended on Berlin PA England fans in face paint with beers in hand PA An England fan carrying a crate of beer PA
The men’s side have never won a European Championship, with the World Cup win in 1966 their last and only major silverware.
Brazen England fans have already been getting Euro 2024 winners tattoos so convinced Harry Kane and the boys will be victorious.
Dan Thomas, from Swindon, Wiltshire, is among those who is ultra-confident England will defeat Spain despite not winning major honours since the World Cup in 1966.
The data consultant spent two and a half hours getting a trophy and the words “England Euro 2024 Winners” tattooed on his leg three days ago.
The 29-year-old went to the Reign Barbers and Tattoos parlour in Swindon on Thursday – the day after England booked its place in the final.
“I thought (England) would get far, so it’s come as no shock,” he said.
“I’m pretty confident. I think it will happen. I wouldn’t have got it done if I didn’t think it would happen.
“I think it will be close and I think it will be 1-1, but go to extra time. I think we’ll win 2-1 at extra time.”
Southgate himself has issued a rallying cry to fans ahead of the match.
The Three Lions manager said the team has been “grateful” for the support throughout the tournament, saying he hoped to see the “same again” this evening.
The King, the Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister are among those who have thrown their support behind the team.
In a video posted on social media by the England football team, Southgate said: “To all of the fans that travelled to the games, I know there have been some epic journeys, hours and hours of travel, so grateful for that support.
“It’s meant so much to us in the stadium, and it’s so important for the players, so same again please for the final.
England's route to the Euro 2024 final
ENGLAND began their Euros final campaign in Germany on June 16.
The team topped Group C despite only winning one match.
But that’s all behind them now as they prepare to take on Spain in the final on July 14.
July 14 – vs Spain: England are in their first final on foreign soil and will be hoping to see off the challenge of Spain who won the Euros in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
“To everybody at home, we’ve for a long time wanted to create memories for everybody.
“I think we’ve had a lot over the last seven, eight years. This tournament has thrown up more, the knockout phase in particular.
“I think we’ve shown amazing resilience, never say die spirit, composure under pressure at different moments.
“So, we’re looking forward to this challenge. We know we’ve got to be exceptional again against Spain. But we’re in here fighting and we hope to do you proud again.”
Speaking during a press conference on Saturday evening, Southgate said the team were aware of what a victory would mean to the nation.
Captain Kane told the press conference he is “extremely proud to be English”, saying a win would be “incredible” for fans.
The Prince of Wales, who will attend the match, said in a social media post on Saturday: “We are so proud of you all England, just one last push to finish the job!
“Go out there and show the world what you’re made of. We believe. W.”
William, who is president of the Football Association (FA), attended England’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland a week ago and the group stage game against Denmark, and was seen cheering in the stands.
His father, the King, also commended the team after their 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands on Wednesday but quipped that they should avoid more last-minute drama.
In a message to Southgate’s side, Charles sent the players the royal family’s “very best wishes” and “warmest congratulations”.
He added: “If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!
“Good luck, England.”
In a good luck message, Sir Keir Starmer, writing to “Gareth and all the England team”, said: “You should all be proud of what you’ve achieved so far, and I hope you can take some strength from the millions at home kicking every ball alongside you.”
HOW TO WATCH THE 2024 EUROS FINAL
THE Euro 2024 final will take place on Sunday, July 14
Kick-off will be at 8pm BST and The Olympiastadion in Berlin will host.
The Euro 2024 final will be broadcast live on both BBC One and ITV1.
All of the games at the European Championships have been aired on either BBC or ITV during the tournament.
You will be able to live stream the final for free on either BBC iPlayer or ITVX.
Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.
England fans – including one in a Gareth Southgate Hawaiian-style shirt – in Berlin PA England fans in full crusader costumes in the German city Alamy Fans pose with replica shirts and a St George’s a flag draped over their shoulders outside the stadium PA Fans chanting, bottles in hand after making the trip from the UK PA England fans from Stoke pose for a photo outside the Olympiastadion PA England fans from Birmingham proudly holding up their St George’s flag while on tour Alamy There’s a party atmosphere in the German capital with hours to go before kick off PA England fans are already on the beers in Berlin PA The replica trophy is getting past around among groups of fans PA The party is already in full swing in the German capital PA England fans Lewis and Tyler Cremin outside the stadium in Berlin PA England fans of all ages are getting geared up for the game PA
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