30 June 2024 , 20:34
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England dramatically stormed through to the quarter finals of the Euros cheered on by a passionate 30,000 strong army of fans in an extraordinary match.
England captain Harry Kane scored the winner in extra time sparking wild scenes of celebration. But Jude Bellingham was the real Three Lions hero scoring a spectacular late injury time equaliser as England fans bellowed “Hey Jude” in honour of the midfield star. They then sang the Great Escape tune which certainly summed up the mood in the stadium
Singing legend Ed Sheeran was in the stands and joined Three Lions supporters roaring: “Football’s coming home” and “Don’t take me home” The players’ wives and girlfriends, who were all sitting directly behind the England bench, celebrated wildly at the final whistle. As jubilant fans streamed out of the stadium last night they vowed “we can go all the way.” They said England will now make the final in Berlin in two weeks time.
Popstar Ed Sheeran was in the stands to celebrate (EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP))But first underdogs Switzerland await in the last eight next Saturday. The match in Dusseldorf will kick off at 5pm and more than 40,000 England fans are expected to make the short trip across to Germany. Gareth Southgate’s men showed tremendous spirit recovering from going 1-0 down when Ivan Schranz scored in the first half silencing the stadium apart from 5,000 bouncing Slovakian fans packed behind Jordan Pickford’s goal.
As fans jumped onto the trams taking them back to Gelsenkirchen city centre after the match there was a party atmosphere. Scaffolder John Peacock, 39, from Preston, Lancs, said: “That’s fantastic, we are in the next round and that is all we can ask for. I might have to phone home and say I'm staying out for another week! C’mon England."
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The team saluted their fans' support (AFP via Getty Images)Electrician Paul Robinson, 51, from Darlington said: “That’s better. We’re through to the last eight. We can go all the way and do this. This is our time. We’ve got momentum now. Berlin here we come!” Bus driver Rob Stones, 20, from Dudley, West Midlands, said: “I’m pleased we are through, it is what I expected. Switzerland are next and I think we will beat them, although they did play well against Italy.”
Craig Stevens, 36, a property developer from Castle Vale near Birmingham was a bit more measured. He said: “It’s good that we won but to be honest there’s no real elation for me because this is what I expect of England. They’ve not been using their full potential so far. I’m much more interested in them winning than playing beautiful football and so it’s good that it’s a victory but this is really what they should be doing - winning. And frankly we are a far better team than Slovenia and Serbia and so winning is what we should have been doing so far.”
Fans kept the party atmosphere going after the victory (EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP))Before the match there was a rousing rendition of “Good Save the King.” Southgate walked onto the pitch to applaud fans for their passion but was met with muted boos. There was a carnival atmosphere in Gelsenkirchen all day with many England fans turning up in fancy dress. They sang loudly in the bars and terraces in the sunshine - after the predicted heavy rain stayed away.
There were even FOUR Lions who arrived to cheer England on. Glenn Hawkins, 59, from Cholsey, Oxfordshire was with his son Howard, 29, a plasterer. Glenn’s brother Chris Hawkins, 45, an engineer from Southampton, Hants was with his seven-year-old son Emilio, . Glenn said: “We’re four lions not three lions - and we are just so pleased we came to cheer the team onto a win. What a result.”
Pals from Bristol dressed as Crusaders (Action Press/REX/Shutterstock)And four pals from Bristol dressed up as knights. Richard Dawes, 59, retired, Paul Stanscombe, 60, retired, Tony Walker, 60, a driving instructor and Paul Bull, 57, who works in the building trade. Richard said: “This is our first game of the tournament. We brought the lads some luck.”
Schoolboy Max Ash, 13, from Bromsgrove, Worcs, had written “Come on England" on his sunglasses. His dad Hays Ash, 51, a tax accountant said: “We’ve taken him out of school for a couple of days. He’s even been learning German!” He added: “It’s an experience of a lifetime for him.”