Come on England... but don’t mention the VAR!
Three Lions fans celebrate with Belgians before tonight’s game – after VAR sprung exit of holders
Harry & the lads are ready for Belgium... as Germany go out
about a mile apart but the contrast could not be starker.
The Mercure is the complete opposite of England’s hotel with a stunning outside terrace overlooking the water.
FIFA allocates each nation a hotel depending whether they have been drawn as the “home” or “away” team in that particular game.
England fan Ray Connolly, 53, is staying in an Airbnb near the Mercure.
“England have drawn the short straw this time,” he said. “The Belgian hotel is so much quieter. “I can’t believe the Radisson was even chosen as one of the official hotels because of its location. I saw couple of Spain fans being poured out of the strip club at 5am this morning.
“They were good natured but it was so loud and under the hotel rooms.”
Tonight’s game will be the first time in the tournament that England fans will not be outnumbered at a match.
In Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod there were significantly more Tunisia and Panama fans.
Darren Quick, 48, and son Harry, 17, from Styal, Cheshire flew by Wizzair to Gdansk in Poland and then took the £270 taxi. Harry said: “It’s been a great experience. Coming by taxi all the way from Gdansk to the World Cup is something I will never forget.
“And now the Germans have lost we’ve got a chance. “What a day.” Wayne Dux, 41, also from Styal flew in from Nizhny Novgorod via Moscow.
“It’s been fantastic so far. Very welcoming,” he said.
“I definitely think we can get to the quarter finals.
“Everyone was so happy when Germany got knocked out. There’s such a great atmosphere here. It’s payback time for 2010.
“I actually hope we finish second [in the group] because we have a chance of going a long way.
“I’m so hopeful I’ve booked an Ibis hotel in Moscow for the world cup final weekend.”
The England band arrived in town yesterday.
Steve Wood, Steve Holmes and John Hemmingham, all from Sheffield, were applauded by locals as they played in the city centre.
John said: “We’ve had a fantastic welcome again. It’s been brilliant everywhere we’ve been.”
Drivers constantly honked their horns in appreciation as they drove past.
England fans have already been warned they could face penalties if they sing pro-Brexit songs this evening.
The FA could face a substantial fine if FIFA staff report hearing any songs of a political nature.