THOUSANDS of Three Lions fans gathered in Germany yesterday ahead of England’s Euros opener — as it emerged the squad will pocket £14million in bonuses if they win.
Supporters were in high spirits as they looked forward to today’s game against Serbia — with Gareth Southgate’s men favourites for the tournament.
And if they do go on to lift the trophy on July 14, the squad has negotiated a bumper share of the £24million the FA will receive.
Stars such as captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham will share a £9.6million chunk of the prize pot.
Boss Southgate is in line for a £4million windfall, with assistant manager Steve Holland also promised a hefty bonus.
Sponsorship consultant Nigel Currie said Kane and co would rake in millions more in big money deals for the rest of their careers.
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He said: “Of course, the players love playing for their country but football is huge business and they would fully deserve their bonuses.
“Sponsorships and endorsements will go through the roof. Their transfer value will increase and they will have life-long fame. Unlike the class of 1966 their fame and rewards for winning will begin from day one and continue for many years to come.”
Whatever the outcome, England fans thronging the bars and fan zones of Gelsenkirchen, where tonight’s game in being played, as well as in neighbouring Dusseldorf, Dortmund and Essen, made it plain they were in the mood to party.
Some even hugged supporters from arch rival Germany.
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Fans in Three Lions shirts were spotted downing lager in bars from 11am — as authorities pulled back from a drinking crackdown.
Full-strength beer has been banned at the 62,000-seat Veltins Arena for tonight’s game and only weak 2.8 per cent brews or Radler shandy will be served.
But officials confirmed 4.8 per cent Bitburger beer would be on sale in fan zones for £4.23 a pint.
It delighted England fans who were forced to shell out £14 a pint at the Qatar World Cup in 2024.
Company director Jamie Holbook, 49, from Grimsby, said as he drank a crisp lager beside a big screen in Essen: “As you can see, I’m not drinking shandy.
“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.”
Pal David Blake, a 57-year-old 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.
Building company boss Paul Taylor, 34, from Manchester, said: “It’s great to finally get here to get the England party started.
COME ON ENGLAND!
A MODEL dubbed “the world’s hottest football fan” has revealed her heartbreak that Jack Grealish was scrapped from England’s Euros team.
Croatian beauty Ivana Knoll, 26, stole the limelight at the Qatar World Cup in 2022 and is in Berlin to support her team.
She exclusively told The Sun on Sunday she would be sad not to see the England midfielder but was happy for Croatia.
She said: “With big players not playing we have a better chance.”
“The weather’s a bit too much like home at the moment but at least we’re getting away from the election and the beer is strong and cheap.”
Bournemouth fan Alan Marsh, 41, his son Tommy, ten, Arsenal fan pal Aaron Drayton, 39, and his son Theo, eight, arrived in Gelsenkirchen after an 11-hour drive.
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 for them.”
But loyalties will be divided for Julie Popple, 57, and her son Jack, 24, who flew from their home in Zug, Switzerland.
Jack lives with his Serbian girlfriend Tatjana Stalovic, 23, and says she is convinced her team will triumph.
But Jack said: “It will be a tough game but I can’t see Serbia beating us.”
Police were on alert for 500 Serbian Ultras hooligans threatening to cause trouble in Gelsenkirchen.
At least 1,000 officers, including some drafted in from Cologne, Dortmund and Düsseldorf and backed by riot police with batons and shields, were standing by.
Meanwhile, an estimated 17million armchair fans were gearing up to watch the game on BBC One.
The game is likely to generate the highest TV ratings of the year.
It has sent supermarket sales of beer, pizzas, burgers, St George’s flags and even TVs soaring.
COME ON ENGLAND!
MASKED thieves stole a giant 11ft decorative inflatable football worth £1,000 from outside a pub just hours before the Euro 2024 kick-off.
The crooks pounced at the Duke of Cambridge pub in Mapperley, Nottingham.
Landlord Simon Fyfe said they were caught on CCTV, adding: “I don’t know what they are going to do with it.”
He is offering a free bar and food tab for an England game for anyone who helps return the outsize ball.
Tesco beer buying manager James Renshaw said: “When England play, demand for beer, wine, pizzas and snacks rockets.
“The tournament is creating a month-long carnival.”
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail at analysts Kantar, said: “The Euros are having a big impact on grocery sales, particularly alcohol.”
As well as £40million being spent by those staying at home, another £110million is likely to be spent in Britain’s 35,000 pubs.
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They expect an extra 20million pints to be served during the Euros while two million pubgoers will down 14million pints tonight alone.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Fans cheering on the Three Lions this Sunday know that the pub is the best place to be.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
