The party atmosphere was in full swing on Saturday night as thousands of excited Three Lions fans got ready to roar on their heroes.
They gathered across Germany as manager Gareth Southgate ’s team arrived in Gelsenkirchen. UEFA have given England supporters 10,000 tickets for Sunday night's 8pm clash with Serbia.
But police believe double that number will be in the Arena AufSchalke – with another 30,000 watching on big screens in the city. Most are staying in nearby cities, including Essen, Dortmund, Dusseldorf and Duisberg. In Essen on Saturday, Andy Preston, 54, son James, 25, and James’ pal Mark Harris, all engineers, were soaking up the atmosphere.
Andy, from Preston, Lancashire, said: “I’ve never been to see England in a tournament before. I’m really looking forward to the match. “It has been great so far. We watched the Germany and Scotland game in the fan zone and the German fans were great.”
James added: “The Germans could not believe we were supporting them over Scotland, so we had to explain the rivalry.” Mark, who lives in the northern German town of Bremen, said the locals were looking forward to the party atmosphere the England fans will bring.
“They joke about how drunk the English get and find it funny that the stadiums have had to sell low-alcohol beer for the Serbian game,” he said. Engineer Lee Hunt, 50, and his son Tom, 23, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, arrived in the city on Thursday and were proudly wearing their England shirts as they supped the local lager. Tom said: “I’ve seen these games on TV and I wanted to sample it for myself.” His dad added: “I really want to experience this.”
And he is backing captain Harry Kane to lift the trophy in Berlin on July 14. “I think we have as good as chance as anybody. We need not to sit back, we need to take the game to the opposition,” he said.
The father and son were chatting to taxi driver Peter Udall, 53, from Luton, Beds, who said: “It is not just about the football, it is about the experience. A lot of it is after Covid, I suppose. Life is short, go out and enjoy yourself.” He added: “In my eyes, it is a done deal – we are going to win it. This is the one.”
Julie Popple, 57, and her son Jack, 24, had flown in from their home in Zug, Switzerland. Excited Julie said: “We are here for the big game against Serbia and we are hoping for a big win.”
Son Jack lives with Serbian girlfriend Tatjana Stalovic, 23, and she is convinced her country will triumph. But he said: “It will be a tough game but I can’t see Serbia beating us.”
Kevin Coomer, 38, arrived from Bristol with his dad Gary, 69. The electric company boss admitted it was supposed to be a Father’s Day treat for his dad – but his old man had ended up paying. Kevin laughed: “I did buy him an England hat and a shirt.”
The dad and lad pair were with pals Matt Rolles, 54, and Alex Stell, 30. Matt, an insurance broker, said: “It is fabulous. There are a great group of fans here.”
History teacher Adam Nixon, 22, had flown to Amsterdam with a group of 10 ex-school pals from Fleetwood, Lancs, before catching a train to Essen. They all have tickets for tonight’s game. Adam said: “This is the best. I’m loving it and I’m loving life.”
Company director Jamie Holbook, 49, from Grimsby, North Lincolnshire, said: “I’ve got tickets for the first two games and can’t wait to see what this England team can do.
“I’m sure the atmosphere will build over the next few days and England have a great chance if players like Jude Bellingham are on form.” His pal David Blake, 57, a care manager, said: “Every England fan I’ve seen here is looking forward to the football and the beer. It’s going to be a great party.”
Leeds University fashion student Alexia Zamani, 22, of Oxford, said: “I’m really confident. I reckon it’s going to be 3-1 and Harry Kane will be on the score sheet. We have definitely got the players to win the whole thing.”
In Gelsenkirchen, Bournemouth fan Alan Marsh, 41, a scaffolder, and his son Tommy, 10, were with Arsenal fan Aaron Drayton, 39, a heating engineer, and his son Theo, eight. Alan said: “We drove over to Gelsenkirchen from Bournemouth. It took 11 hours but it was worth it.”
Aaron said: “We haven’t got tickets for the match but we wanted the boys to experience being in the fan zone. We are all really looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be a memory of a lifetime.” Captain Kane echoed their comments last night, telling reporters: “We are here to win it. There will be nothing better for us, and the nation, if we do that.
“In past tournaments we have done a lot of things well and we’ve made the country proud. I think we have earned the right to be classed as one of the favourites.”
Those without tickets are being advised to go to a fan zone at Trabrennbahn racecourse, where organisers have shipped in 80,000 litres of beer, 40,000 bottles of soft drinks, 7.5 tonnes of chips and 32,000 sausages. German police believe around 10,000 Serbs have tickets for the game, which is designated “high risk” because of the threat of violence from 500 Serbian yobs.
After playing Serbia, England go back to their base near Blankenhein before tackling Den-mark next Thursday in Frankfurt. Their final Group C game is against Slovenia, in Cologne on June 25.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
