Euro 2020: Football fever grips England as fans arrive hours early for Wembley showdown

Euro 2020: Football fever grips England as fans arrive hours early for Wembley showdown
england web
Carl Bennett

By Carl Bennett


Published: 07/07/2021

- 16:38

Updated: 07/07/2021

- 18:21

Victory will see England in their first major final since the 1966 World Cup

England football supporters have begun getting into the party spirit ahead of the Euro 2020 semi-final showdown with Denmark.

Three Lions fans are expected to get through nearly 10 million pints in pubs and beer gardens tonight, while the majority of the 60,000 supporters inside Wembley for the semi-final showdown will hope to create a typically partisan atmosphere.


The Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the Football Association, will be among those inside the ground to watch the match, which will be the first time the men’s team has made it to the semi-final of a European Championship since an ill-fated penalty shootout defeat to Germany at Euro 96.

England manager Gareth Southgate, who saw his penalty saved in the sudden-death shootout 25 years ago, will be hoping his team can go at least one better and make it to the final, also at Wembley, on Sunday evening.

Tonight’s semi-final kicks off at 8pm.

Others have already started arriving on Wembley Way or in pubs in anticipation, where fans wore replica strips and staged impromptu kickabouts.

England superfan Chris Dowse, who lives on the flag-bestrewn Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, south-east London, said he had declined the offer of tickets to the Euro 2020 semi-final because he would rather watch the game in the company of his neighbours.

The 42-year-old said: “I’ve been offered tickets but I’ve turned them down. Firstly, I’m not rich and I’d like to spend that money on my kids.

“But secondly, I am really proud of what we’ve achieved on this estate, so I will be watching it here.”

Victory will see England in their first major final since the 1966 World Cup.

Italy await the winners of the match following a semi-final victory against Spain on Tuesday in which they triumphed on penalties when the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Lars Thuesen, Danish ambassador to the UK, said 8,000 Danish people living in the UK will be among the Wembley crowd later, with numbers limited due to travel restrictions.

He also said the tournament had been a “huge emotional rollercoaster” for Danes, after star midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during the defeat to Finland in their opening match.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among those urging the England team on, saying: “Gareth Southgate and the England squad have done the nation proud in the Euros, and tonight we will all be wishing them the best of luck in getting to the final. Bring it home!”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also had words of encouragement for the team, saying: “Gareth Southgate and the squad will have the whole nation behind them tonight. Both on and off the pitch, they have shown the best of England. There’s been only one song featured in our house since Saturday – It’s Coming Home.”

Those watching from outside venues may need to be prepared for all weathers, with sunshine and showers forecast for parts of England throughout the day, although London is expected to remain dry during the match.

England fans without tickets for the UEFA fan zone in Trafalgar Square have gathered in the area to avoid “missing out” on the atmosphere.

Jack Robbins, 22, a scaffolder from Dagenham, east London, who was wearing a retro England shirt, said: “You have to be around people for games like this, watching the game at home wouldn’t be the same.

Fans outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 semi final match between England and Denmark
Fans outside Wembley Stadium ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 semi final match between England and Denmark
Zac Goodwin

“I can’t be missing out on this, drinking beer, chanting and watching the game, what else is there?

“Even if I can’t be in the official part, I’ll make my voice heard.”

Another fan, Luke Hughes, 19, a student from Watford, said: “I’ve seen the scenes on social media of everyone chanting and singing in London after the game has finished – there is no way I am missing that.

“I think it will be a tough game, maybe decided on one goal, but if we win, this place will be electric. It’s coming home.”

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