The Sun Newspaper

ENGLAND’S biggest ever fan exodus kicked off yesterday as it was revealed 350,000 trips are planned to Euro 2024 in Germany.Fans desperate for a boozy break from the washout early summer and dreary election coverage are on their way to roar on Harry Kane and the boys.England fans have started arriving in Germany for Euro 2024 and 350,000 are expected over the course of the tournamentCredit: Jeremy SelwynEngland fans Tom Ayers and Jordan Benson from Cheltenham arrived in Germany in time for the Euros’ opening gameCredit: Jeremy SelwynEngland fans Tony Day and son George, 16, have driven from Birmingham to Gelsenkirchen for the EurosCredit: Jeremy SelwynWith the tournament within easy travel distance, at least 40,000 were expected in the first wave of The Great Escape this weekend ahead of England’s opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen tomorrow.UK Football Policing Unit director Mick Johnson told The Sun: “This is the first major tournament England fans have been able to travel to since 2016 and a lot of fans want to come to Germany to join the party.“At the World Cup in Germany in 2006, around 300,000 travelled but the figure is estimated at around 350,000 this time, so it is something of a record.”Asked about the election, he laughed: “That has to be the main story on why the fans want to get away — you can’t turn the TV on without seeing it!”READ MORE EURO 2024Tournament veteran Simon Harris, who helped manage the London England Fans supporters club, said: “There’s a whole new generation of young fans ready to travel. There’ll be lots of singing and drinking beer.”Football crazy Paul Bibby, 58 with son Aaron, 37 outside his England flag covered house in EssexCredit: John McLellanAt home, the millions watching on TV will include Paul Bibby, 58 — in a house covered by England flags in Chelmsford, Essex.Over in Germany, the Three Lions army began drinking the strong beer in the bars of Gelsenkirchen and nearby fan bases.London builder Tom Parkinson, 40, said in Dusseldorf: “I just wanted to escape the weather and the election back home — it’s so dreary I wanted to get away.”Most read in Euro 2024But there will be booze bans on match day and only weak beer or shandy will be served in the Arena AufSchalke stadium amid worries about fan clashes.Police fear 500 hardcore Serbian hooligans are on their way and warned England fans against getting drunk and aggressive.10 Steps to Victory for England: A Fan’s GuideBut The Sun revealed yesterday that cops will ignore fans smoking cannabis – which was legalised in Germany on April 1.Feeling Blue?
BRITISH troops kept the French football team awake from all-night war games.
Troops from the 19th Light Brigade drilled with cannons, assault rifles and flash bang grenades for three nights in a row — as the team headed by Kylian Mbappe, tried to rest.
Locals were furious to hear the loud noises at 3am from the British-run base in Sennelager, Germany.
The Blues moved into a hotel in Bad Lippspringe just a mile away on Wednesday.
A source in the French camp said: “People have said it’s like being in a war zone.”
The Army said they had planned the exercise months in advance.
By Jerome Starkey

Fears of rise in violence
POLICE and the Women’s Aid charity fear a domestic abuse spike when England play Serbia.
A previous study found that 999 calls increased by 38 per cent when England lose and 26 per cent when they win.
Known abusers have been cross-checked with hooligans.
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said: “The vast majority of men who watch football would never dream of abusing their partner. But we need their help in calling out those who would.” More

ENGLAND will begin a run of good fortune with a win over Serbia tomorrow, says the psychic visited by Three Lions hero Phil Foden.Chloe Smith believes Gareth Southgate’s lads will benefit from being such a “spiritual team”.England will triumph over Serbia on Sunday, Phil Foden’s ‘Mystic Wag’ has foreseenCredit: GettyPsychic medium Chloe Smith even ‘communed’ with Phil‘s beloved grandad Ronnie as she made her predictions of victory for the Three LionsCredit: SWNSPhil and his pregnant partner Rebecca Cooke visited Chloe before he jetted out to Euro 2024 in GermanyCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeThe Sun revealed on Thursday how Phil, 24, and his pregnant Wag Rebecca Cooke visited Chloe before jetting out to Germany for Euro 2024.Last night Chloe said during a tarot card reading she even “communed” with Phil’s beloved grandad Ronnie, who died aged just 47 and inspired the midfielder’s choice of Manchester City shirt number.She added: “England will pull through this match with a win. It might be close, but the game will certainly have us on the edge of our seats.“This is only the start for England. With the support, it is going to be nothing but love and happiness through the nation. We have a good team and most importantly a spiritual team.”READ MORE ON EURO 2024Push towards finalMum-of-three Chloe, from Uttoxeter, Staffs, predicted: “Phil Foden will play smartly.“He has a lot of luck on his side from his grandad in spirit being his top supporter, giving him guidance and signs daily.“I can see the England team pushing their way through the tournament towards the final.”And Chloe — whose celebrity clients include Helen Skelton, Daisy May Cooper and Maura Higgins — said there is significance in the date of the opening game in Gelsenkirchen.Most read in Euro 2024 She explained: “Sunday the 16th of June — June is the month of joy, renewal and celebration. The number 16 is a sign you’re on the correct path.”Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024ENGLAND TO ‘WIN 6-0’

By Ed Southgate
SERBIAN supporters expect their side to be trounced by England tomorrow — some predicting a 6-0 thrashing.
Fans say their players are intimidated by our boys’ reputation and will be swept aside.
Dalbor Radobic, 44, boss of The Corner Terrace Cafe in Acton, West London, said: “It’s going to be 5-0 or 6-0.”
The 44-year-old, who will show the game for the large local Serbian community, said: “I’m realistic. You’ve got the best players in the world.”
Fan Pater Gasic, 23, who predicts a 4-1 defeat, added: “We look like we are over the finish line and then bottle it.” More

THREE Lions’ goalscoring grandmaster Harry Kane has told how he loves playing chess — as the Euros finally get underway tonight.England have another 48 nerve-jangling hours to wait before their opening match against Serbia on Sunday.Harry Kane has revealed he loves playing chessCredit: GettyTHE England captain took up the game a couple of years ago and has been pitting his wits against some of his Bayern Munich team-matesSkipper Harry, 30, and the rest of Gareth Southgate’s lads were put through their paces in training yesterday at their HQ in Blankenhain.And England’s record scorer, 30, could be plotting some cunning moves off the pitch as well — after revealing his new-found love for the classic strategy game. He said: “I use chess just to switch off, you know, it’s such a mental game. “You have to focus on every moment, every move.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHarry said he was inspired a couple of years ago by Netflix drama The Queen’s Gambit, and has been pitting his wits against some of his Bayern Munich teammates.He went on: “Joshua Kimmich — we had quite a few games. I think Kingsley Coman is the best, but I haven’t actually played him yet. I’m trying to get a bit more practice in before I play ‘King’.”However, the married father of four told GQ Germany that golf was his favourite way to switch off from “all the stress and nerves that come with football”.Jack Wilshere’s England XI vs SerbiaSunSport columnist Jack Wilshere wants Engand to start with just one holding midfielder – Declan Rice.
That means playing Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield roles, with Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka on the wings, either side of Harry Kane up top.
Wilshere said: “In the group stage against teams we should beat, we can  afford to be more expansive, let’s attack.
“It wasn’t that long ago we were saying we didn’t have the Spanish-type of players who can dominate the ball, now we have.
“So let’s try to utilise that, dominate the ball and go for goals.”
And the ex-England midfielder wants Trent Alexander-Arnold to get the nod at right-back, with Kyle Walker centre-back.
He added: “If you play Trent at right-back and he drifts in midfield, he can switch the play at speed. Walker’s pace will get you out of trouble.”
Read more from Jack Wilshere during Euro 2024.

He should hopefully be properly relaxed as the squad are staying in a luxury golf resort as they prepare for their opener in Gelsenkirchen.Most read in Euro 2024With an estimated half a million Three Lions fans tipped to head to Germany, the former Spurs star ranked England and France as the favourites to win the tournament — as well as the hosts.He said: “It being a home tournament, I think that always makes it a little bit more special for your country to go and perform. So I’m definitely not ruling Germany out.” They open the tonight with a mouthwatering clash against, with 10,000 Tartan Army fans expected in Munich’s 66,000-capacity Allianz Arena.They open the Euros tonight against Scotland, with 10,000 Tartan Army fans expected in Munich’s 66,000-capacity Allianz Arena.Harry Kane reveals his ‘perfect outcome’ before heading off to EurosSome 200,000 Scots are estimated to head over to Germany, hoping to see their side progress to the knock-out stage of a major tournament for the first time.In total, 12million supporters will pour into fan zones across the country — including a vast one next to the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin which can host 130,000 people — for 51 matches in 31 days.Demand has been sky-high with every game sold out — after Uefa received a staggering 52million requests for 2.7million tickets.However, away from the action, authorities warn of a heightened risk of terrorists targeting the tournament.A vast security operation will be coordinated from a brand-new nerve centre in Neuss, near Cologne.More than 600 officers are based in the “International Police Cooperation Centre”, overseeing the 22,000 cops on duty every day.Flight restrictions will be imposed over every stadium on matchdays, with a hi-tech aerial defence system capable of bringing down drones.Germany’s Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said: “The police will have a high presence at all venues and everywhere there are large numbers of people. The federal police will protect the German borders, airports and rail traffic where national teams and fans move.”Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale training with England in GermanyCredit: GettyYesterday, the supporters were simply focused on having a good time and, for Three Lions fans at least, dreaming of victory.Student Harry Todd, 20, of South Shields, was confident of getting to the final in Berlin on July 14 — and winning it.He said: “I have a good feeling this time. I really think we can do it.”Their Scottish counterparts had lower expectations as they partied in Munich before tonight’s match, seemingly vastly outnumbering the hosts.READ MORE SUN STORIESFinance worker Blair Mckenzie, 47, from Edinburgh, one of the lucky ones with a ticket, said: “I am hopeful, but not confident. We’ll enjoy ourselves whatever happens. The Tartan Army are entertaining people today but this is nothing. We haven’t got going yet.”Birgit Moehl, 58, one of the few in German colours, said: “We haven’t been very good for a few years but I think we’ll win this tournament. We’ve loved watching the Scotland fans – they know how to party.”Declan Rice posted this pic with Bayern Munich striker Kane to InstagramCredit: InstagramTrent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham are also with England at their HQ in BlankenhainCredit: Getty More