England fans in 'Dash to Dortmund' as 40,000 descend on city ahead of Three Lions' Euros clash against the Netherlands
- At home 28 million fans are expected to watch or stream the game on ITV
Up to 40,000 England fans began descending on Dortmund yesterday ahead of the Three Lions' clash against the Netherlands.
But they could be outnumbered for the first time at this year's Euros as Dutch fans are expected to cross the German border – just a 45-minute drive from the semi-final venue – in big numbers.
At home 28 million fans are expected to watch or stream the game on ITV, beating the record for a match aired on a single channel.
England's Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark attracted 27.6 million on the same channel. Finals are shown on both BBC and ITV.
Up to 40,000 England fans began descending on Dortmund yesterday ahead of the Three Lions' clash against the Netherlands
England fans wave their St George's flag in Dortmund ahead on tomorrows semi-final against the Netherlands
England fans Chantel Padgham, 28, with her brothers Jordan, 31, and Aaron, 34, and Olivia Srawley, 28, in Dortmund for the England v Holland semi-final match on Wednesday
England fans pictured holding a St George's flag on a fairground ride in Dortmund, Germany
In Dortmund's main square yesterday, fans were eating and drinking after arriving from Dusseldorf, where England beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Scott and Sam Fairbank had been due to return home on Sunday with daughter Freya, 13, but decided to remain in Germany after they 'caught the bug' of watching England.
Mr Fairbank, 43, from Sheffield, said extending the family's stay for the 'once-in-a-lifetime' match came at a price – two rooms for two nights in Dortmund has cost them £1,600.
'They've ripped our eyes out with the price of those rooms', he said.
'And the accommodation is somewhat basic – but we fell in love with the whole experience around the Switzerland game'.
Scott and Sam Fairbanks had been due to return home on Sunday with daughter Freya, 13, but decided to remain in Germany after they 'caught the bug' of watching England
Chanel, Jordan, Aaron and Olivia wave St George's flag from a fairground ride in Dortmund
Brothers Denny and Ronnie Lovett from Dartford, Kent, also arrived in Dortmund after making the 36-mile trip from Dusseldorf
Yan Doldersam, 25, Goleos Sepaniak, 43, and Lucas Kalevala from Emmen, Netherlands, in Dortmund for the semi-final tomorrow
In Dortmund's main square yesterday, fans were eating and drinking after arriving from Dusseldorf, where England beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals. Pictured: England fans on a fairground ride
England fans pictured during the Euro quarter final match between England and Switzerland in Dusseldorf, Germany on July 6
Mr Fairbank said they drove out on Friday after they told Freya's school she had 'German measles'.
But he added: 'When we decided to stay out we had to phone up the school again on Monday and come clean.'
Brothers Denny and Ronnie Lovett from Dartford, Kent, also arrived in Dortmund after making the 36-mile trip from Dusseldorf – but saved cash by booking an Airbnb outside the city for £50 per night.
Estate agent Denny, 22, added: 'We've already booked accommodation in Berlin (for the final) – we're confident. You've got to back the team.'
