The Sun Newspaper

MILLIONS of Three Lions fans roared on their heroes last night as England kicked off their Euros campaign — while thousands more cheered them on in Germany.Pubs and fan zones across the nation were rammed as supporters knocked back 30 million pints of beer.Fans on the Otley Run in Leeds fly the flag as they cheer on the Three LionsCredit: NB PRESS LTDPrepping for the game at the fan zone in Winter Gardens, BlackpoolCredit: Dave NelsonPals have a livener before the match at a fan park in GelsenkirchenCredit: PAExcitement builds for supporters in the Gelsenkirchen fan zoneCredit: RexEngland fans get in the mood at Boxpark, Croydon, South LondonCredit: LNPAnd the first wave of England’s biggest-ever fan exodus saw 40,000 travel to Gelsenkirchen, praying for a Harry Kane-inspired goal-fest over the next month. Only 10,000 match tickets were available for Three Lions fans as our Euros got under way with the Group C opener against Serbia.But 30,000 more headed to Germany to soak up the atmosphere — including in a 40,000-capacity fan zone, stocked with 80,000 litres of beer and 32,000 sausages.Back in England, fan zones and pubs across the country were packed with excited supporters.Read More on SportBoxparks at London’s Wembley, Croydon and Shoreditch were rammed — as were venues in ­Birmingham, Liverpool and ­Bristol. Chart legend Chesney Hawkes, England’s good luck mascot from the last World Cup, made a surprise guest appearance at the Boxpark in Croydon.He blasted out his No 1 hit, The One And Only, before last night’s match — but changed the words to get the crowd going.Chesney, 52, told The Sun: “England are the one and only — come on boys, you can do it!”Most read in Euro 2024In Newcastle, fans braved the rain to cheer on their heroes in the city’s Times Square fan zone.Barber Rhys Patterson, 23, who turned up more than two hours before kick-off, said: “We’re going to win the whole thing.”England fans go crazy as Jude Bellingham puts Three Lions 1-0 up vs Serbia in Euro 2024 openerIn Leeds, fans massed in the city’s Millennium Square and competitive drinkers on the Otley Run pub crawl also cheered on our boys. It was the same story at the Winter ­Gardens in Blackpool.England ace Phil Foden’s son Ronnie, five, was also urging on his old man in a Three Lions shirt and chain combo.He captioned the snap to his four million Instagram followers: “C’mon England.”Over in Gelsenkirchen town centre, fans belted out songs as they braved English-style rain and wind. Retired bar boss Terry Rose, 66, from Huddersfield, West Yorks, put a smile on faces with his St George’s Flag suit and bowler hat.Terry said: “I got it for the Qatar World Cup because everyone thought that was going to be a grim tournament and I wanted the fans to be happy. It’s my eighth tournament and we are going to win it.”Charity fundraiser Russ Cook, 27, known as Hardest Geezer, ran 352 miles from Wembley to ­Gelsenkirchen for the game.Another England fan, Nick Buckley, 33, from Surrey, said: “I am sure we are going to kick on.“I’m backing Harry Kane to get a hat-trick early on.” His pal Tim O’Neill, 34, who lives in Dubai, added: “It’s brilliant here. There’s a great atmosphere and everyone is enjoying themselves.”As revealed exclusively in The Sun, strong lager was banned in the 62,000-capacity Veltins Arena to avoid trouble — but it broke out in the town centre five hours before kick-off. At home there were no restrictions on booze sales. An England fan in Gelsenkirchen today before the gameCredit: Jeremy SelwynEngland ace Phil Foden’s son Ronnie was also urging on his old man in a Three Lions shirt and chain comboCredit: GettyHe captioned the snap to his four million Instagram followers: ‘C’mon England’Credit: InstagramFans were able to roar their heroes on in pubs and fan zones.Boozers and supermarkets enjoyed a £150million spending bonanza and brewery chiefs said 30million pints were downed, giving the sector a £24million boost.READ MORE SUN STORIESA supermarket rush saw sales of beer, pizzas, burgers, St George’s flags and even TVs soar with Tesco set to sell 33million packs of beer and cider in the coming month. And an estimated television audience of 17 million tuned in for yesterday’s BBC coverage. More

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.Harry Kane’s England squad will pocket £14million in bonuses if they win the EurosCredit: GettyHappy Jude Bellingham during an England trainingCredit: RexGareth Southgate’s men are favourites for the tournamentCredit: AFPAnd 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.Read More on SportHe 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.Most read in Euro 2024Fans 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. England fans to embrace German tradition of sinking pints at corner shops at Euros as locals demand stores stay open lateBut 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. Supporters Leah Ray, 21, and Astrid Wett, 23, in DusseldorfCredit: Paul EdwardsEngland fans enjoy a lager or two in EssenCredit: Paul EdwardsAn England and Germany fan raise a glass together in GelsenkirchenCredit: Story Picture AgencyBut 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.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey 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.” More