England fans begin desperate scramble for Euros final tickets in Berlin as supporters gear up to watch the big match in Germany, at home and even in Benidorm
England fans pouring into Berlin for tomorrow's epic European encounter with Spain called on The Three Lions to go all the way and end 58 years of footballing heartbreak.
As prices on the black market soared and thousands of fans without tickets made their way into Germany, by air, road and trains, those lucky enough to have seats forecast a defining England victory.
Some said an England success would further lift and reunite the country after the new start promised by the newly-elected government.
Others thanked their lucky stars for being able to get tickets for £85, while some faced paying a King's ransom on the black market. More than 50,000 England fans are expected in Berlin with only 10,000 official tickets made available by UEFA.
Birmingham fan Chris Miller, 35, a technician, said: 'My ticket cost me 95 Euros and I know how lucky I will be there tomorrow night when England play.
England fans pose in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin ahead of the Euro 2024 final
A trio of fans stand in Berlin with the Saint George's Cross to show support for Southgate's side
Fans of the Three Lions arrive at Berlin Central Train Station ahead of the final on Sunday
One fan wears the kit with pride as he arrives in Germany, making sure to give a thumbs up to the camera
'Fans are looking everywhere to get tickets and the prices are crazy. Supporters have been coming up to me to ask if I had a spare ticket.
'But I have been following England since 2006 and have been to some pretty mediocre games all over Europe, so I hope to be paid back tomorrow with seeing England winning.'
Anne-Marie Harris, of Bridgenorth, Shropshire, who will be at the match with husband Simon, said : 'The site of Harry Kane lifting the trophy will bring me to tears. We have waited so long for that moment and now we are so near.
'I am optimistic we can do it and it would definitely lift the country, There will be a great amount of euphoria if we can win.
'It will be a close game, but we will win 2-1.'
Mr Harris, who went to Reigate Grammar school with the Prime Minister and comedian David Walliams, said: 'It is going to be a very close game and will be 1-0 to England.
'But if it goes to penalties then I will not be too worried. We have looked composed and confident in the penalties we have taken in qualifying for the final.'
Paul Tobin, 44, of Southend-on-Sea, said Harry Kane lifting the trophy would bring a massive boost for the country.
'We can dare to dream and it would be amazing and a new start for England with a new government and winning a major competition in our national game.
'If we can bring lots of gold medals home from the Paris Olympics this summer it would really produce a feelgood feeling collectively.
'I believe our name is on the cup. England have not played that well, and we were seconds of being knocked out in one of the matches, but everything depends on us turning up tomorrow night and going for it. It is our moment.'
He joked: 'Spain have a tremendous team and lets hope their great teenager Lamine Yamal has flu for 24 hours and misses the game!'
He added:'I know we leave it late in matches and as The King said, it isn't good for the country's nerves. But Cole Palmer was right when he said there is a greater excitement to score late in the games like Ollie Watkins did against The Netherlands.
'I can see Cole coming on and scoring the winner in the 84th minute and what a moment that will be.'
A female England fan shows off her impressive football skills to a crowd in Germany ahead of the final
The fan, wearing an England shirt, lies on the ground as she performs tricks with the football
Fans ready themselves to cheer on the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 Final by arriving in Germany days before the much-anticipated match
With flights to Berlin sold out, fans have opted for the train. This trio arrived at Berlin Central Train Station on Friday
England fans dress up to show their support for Southgate's squad ahead of the final
Mike Armstrong and son Rowan from Exeter arrive in Germany ahead of the Euro 2024 final
A pub in Cologne is decorated with English flags during the Euros 2024
A group of England fans stand in front of Brandenburg Gate, with some already wearing the kit ahead of the final
A young family pose in front of the mural of England's star midfielder Jude Bellingham in Germany
Another Bellingham fan wears a replica shirt in front of the Brandenburg Gate
Property developer Richard Burman, 33, of Solihull, who bought his ticket through official England member channels for £85, said: 'We are due a big performance from England and it is going to happen tomorrow night.
'We are not going to let this one pass us by. We've had too many disappointments in the past and to be honest some really bad decisions go against us, but I think the stars are aligning. It really is coming home with us.'
The England camp also today called for supporters to really believe the trophy would be travelling home with the England squad on Monday saying the country was 'on the brink of history.'
Officials released a statement to fans which said: 'European glory – it's a journey that few get to accomplish.
'But through sheer resilience, moments of brilliance and an unwavering will to win England have another shot in the Euro 2024 final.
'Standing in their way is Spain, arguably the standout team of the tournament and a side who have their own piece of history to make.
'The cast has assembled and the Berlin stage awaits. So wherever you are, home or away, it's time to come together for the Three Lions as they aim to write a different ending this time.'
One England fan who arrived in Berlin this morning Vijay Beerkarry, 52, of Enfield, said a late night flight delay had left him 'knackered but still dreaming of England winning.'
Mr Beerkarry said: 'My flight from London to Cologne was delayed by 90 minutes.
'I booked my flight to Germany after the semi-final and I was unsure whether England would get to the final, if I am honest.
'But as soon as we won, direct flight prices to Berlin went crazy and airlines were asking like £1,000.
'I managed to book a flight to Cologne and had a train booked for 11:45 pm last night, but the flight delay made me miss it.
'When I got into Cologne, I had to get a 4am train this morning and I've just got to Berlin after nearly four-and-a-half hours on the train.
'I'm absolutely knackered, and I cant check into my hotel until 3pm.
'But what is keeping me going is that I'm dreaming that we will go all the way and that we will be taking that trophy home.
'I know I am so lucky to have a ticket and I keep pinching myself. There are millions of supporters at home would love to be inside that stadium.
'I am picturing the England lads running around the stadium with the trophy and me and the fans singing for them. It will be incredible.'
England fans were also limbering up on the beach in Benidorm today ahead of the nation's historical European Cup final with Spain.
Vijay Beerkarry (pictured) of Enfield, landed in Berlin this morning. His delayed flight left him 'knackered but still dreaming of England winning'
England fans in Benidorm drink while wearing England football regalia
A bar in Benidorm is decorated with English flags ahead of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday
A Saint George's Cross hangs in the Queens' Arms in Benidorm as Brits gather - one of whom is wearing nothing but gold shorts
An advertisement in Benidorm's Western Saloon for a screening of the much-anticipated final
Holidaymakers enjoy a drink underneath a row of Spanish and English flags which have already been set up for the final
Supporters young and old were practising their moves – from celebration cheers, to marching briskly along the beachfront, to racing each other in mobility scooters, and keeping the ball in the air.
Followers of the Three Lions predicted a tight match, with many nail-biting moments, but with an ultimate England victory.
Among them were Charisse Gennings, 31, a NHS worker from London, who was keeping herself cool by paddling in the sea.
She said: 'I can't wait! It's going to be a tough match but I'm sure England can do it.'
A group of 18-year-old lads from Cornwall were practising their skills by keeping ball the in air – in case any of them were called upon to as a last-minute substitute.
Student Sam Eccleston said: 'We're all really up for it.
'We all love football and we're here ready for if the call up comes!
'England are going to smash it, I'm sure.
'Come On England!'
Retired engineer George Hoare, 78, Gloucester was wearing his union flag shorts in support of the England team.
He said: 'I wish the lads every success.'
Meanwhile lines were being drawn in the sand last night for the forthcoming 'battle of Benidorm' with England fans pledging to take over the resort if the national team beat Spain in the Euros final.
Bare chested supporters donned cowboy hats to sing the praises of Gareth Southgate's men as they weaved their way down the town's notorious strip in the early hours of this morning.
Others watched scantily-dressed cage dancers perform in some of the many English bars that will broadcast the match live to England's adoring fans.
However, the anticipation became too much for a few holiday-makers with fans holding their heads in their hands while they considered the huge task the England team face against Spain.
A woman in a bridal veil watches on as her friend is helped up by two men
A shirtless man takes a kip on the streets of Benidorm
One Brit makes a phone call while on a night out in the Spanish city
A man falls asleep at the table of a late-night restaurant in Benidorm
A tourist uses his mobility scooter to navigate the streets of Benidorm
With his shirt tucked into his black shorts, a British tourist stands shirtless in the middle of the road
Revellers stand outside Cafe Benidorm with drinks in hand
Tourists speak to paramedics next to an ambulance in Benidorm
Spanish emergency services arrive to deal with cases of excessive alcohol drinking
Spanish police make a tour of the Carrer Gerona strip in Benidorm
Two men hug each other as they enjoy their night out in the Spanish city
One man looks worse for wear as he holds his head in his hands outside a comedy club in Benidorm
And it all become too much for others, with one man falling asleep at the table of one late-night restaurant and two others crashing out on the pavement.
Spanish police made regular tours of the Carrer Gerona strip with paramedics called out more than once to deal with cases of excessive alcohol drinking and other casualties.
Prostitutes were also on hand to save the souls of the love-lost and world-weary.
