England fans descend on Berlin with pints in hand to cheer Three Lions onto Euros victory & end to 58 years of heartache
ENGLAND fans have flocked to Berlin in high spirits ahead of tonight’s Euro 2024 final.
More than 50,000 Three Lions supporters are in the German capital, with many downing pints in a bid to settle any nerves and thrive in the party atmosphere.
Gareth Southgate’s men face tournament favourites Spain at the Olympiastadion, hoping to end 58 years of hurt.
England men have never reached a major final on foreign soil and have also never lost a match in Berlin before.
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 replica trophy in Breitscheidplatz.
Some are already enjoying a drink in the sun at the Reichstag Euro 2024 Fan Zone.
Many more fans are making last ditch efforts to get to Germany for the final, even settling on the outskirts of Berlin just to be closer to the action.
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’.”
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.”
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.
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.
Before the players head to Berlin for the final, the athletes prepared at their luxury base in Blankenhain.
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.
Pubs and bars across England are allowed to stay open until 1am on Monday morning.
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 huge £48 million in additional trade for pubs and breweries will be generated by fans across the nation.”
The men’s side have never won a European Championship, with the World Cup win in 1966 their last and only major silverware.
It is the first time the men’s side has reached a final outside England.
Southgate 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.
Here’s their route to the final:
June 16 – vs Serbia: England win 1-0 with a goal from Jude Bellingham in the 13th minute.
June 20 – vs Denmark: Ended 1-1 after Harry Kane’s 18th minute strike was cancelled out by Morten Hjulmand.
June 25 – vs Slovenia: The match ended goalless but England topped the group with five points.
June 30 – vs Slovakia: In the last 16 clash Jude Bellingham saved England from being knocked out with a 91st minute equaliser. In extra time Harry Kane secured the win for the Three Lions.
July 6 – vs Switzerland: The quarter-final ended 1-1 after extra time with Bukayo Saka‘s reply to Breel Embolo’s strike. England won 5-3 on penalties.
July 10 – vs Netherlands: Another last gasp goal – this time by Ollie Watkins – saw England head into the final against Spain. Harry Kane scored from the spot to cancel out Xavi Simons’ 9th minute goal.
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 Harry 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.”