Lions roar in Rome
PLUS... GREAT DANES CZECH INTO SEMI SHOWDOWN
ENGLAND’S gladiators stormed into the semi-finals of Euro 2020 last night with a glorious, rip-roarious 4-0 victory in Rome.
Gareth Southgate’s men showed no mercy as they put Ukraine to the sword – cheered on by an incredible “secret army” of 5,000 fans who somehow managed to get tickets.
Two goals from Harry Kane, one from Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson’s first England goal – in his 62nd game – saw England’s golden generation pull off an admirable Italian Job. A joyous case of WHEN in Rome, WIN in Rome.
After Kane’s opening goal in just the fourth minute, a spine-tingling rendition of Three Lions, with the words “football’s coming home” rang out around the Olympic Stadium.
It echoed even louder after three second half goals sealed the win.
There were wild scenes at the end too as the team thanked fans for their awe-inspiring support.
Many had beaten Covid quarantine rules by flying in from New York, Dubai, Holland, Germany, France, Ibiza, Switzerland – and by car and train from around Italy.
John Birchall, 37, Simon Barrow, 41, and Craig Hutchinson, 39, jetted in from the Big Apple to watch the game.
They visited the Colosseum first and proudly held up an England shirt.
Middlesbrough fan Dani Fejer, 32 – a media manager from Eaglescliffe, Teesside – now lives in Como, Italy, and caught a train from Milan. She said: “It was such a privilege to be here.
“It was my first ever England game and a very special day. I like to think the fans inside the stadium played our part in helping them to victory.”
CARNIVAL
Gareth Di Fante, 39, from Kettering, Northants, only moved to a remote village between Naples and Rome three weeks ago with his wife and two young children.
A mate unable to travel to Italy transferred his ticket to thrilled Gareth, who said: “I can’t believe I was here on such a special night. I really think we can go win it now.”
There had been a carnival atmosphere in the city throughout the day with sun-drenched supporters mixing together at the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum in temperatures of 30C.
Ollie Burke, from County Durham, was among them. Wearing a red England shirt and clutching a beer, he said: “It’s my first time seeing England play. The atmosphere has been great.”
Bert Roser, 42, originally from Kent but now living abroad, sported a red bandana and hinted at the irony of watching England abroad.
He said: “It is the only game we can get to as all the others are in London!”
Six English ski instructors drove from Switzerland. Chloe Allen, 26, from Sutton, Surrey, said: “We are so excited. We are really looking forward to cheering the team on.”
Pal Charlotte Vantreen, 33, from Exeter, added: “We only got our tickets on Thursday evening on the UEFA website.”
Students Ryan Malone, 20, Christian Gaskin, 21 and Tom Shale, 21 – all from Cambridge – were on holiday when they found out England would be playing in Rome. They got tickets and chuffed Christian said: “Being in Rome for the quarter final makes it a year to remember for
ever. Everyone back home is jealous.” Erica Rolfe, who lives in Rome and works at the European Space Agency, said: “It was a unique opportunity to get tickets. It’s normally impossible. It’s the one benefit of Covid.” Jo Harvey, 50, who is retired and lives in Abruzzo, decided to go at the last minute, saying: “We heard that they wouldn’t let fans in, so we felt it was our duty to come and support, so here we are.” Victoria Ammoscato is from Oxford but now lives in Rome and owns a cosmetics business. She took son Vincent, 15, to the game of a lifetime and said: “What a fantastic match and an incredible experience. We hope the England fans unable to travel were proud.
“Both myself and my son will never forget that we had this opportunity to be a part of it.”
Back in England, Plymouth Argyle fan and Labour MP Luke Pollard joined the celebrations, saying: “Yet another amazing victory for this brilliant young England team! My policy is clear – it’s coming home.”
Harry Kane’s wife Katie watched the game in a tepee – or wagwam, jokers observed. She treated her 166,000 Instagram followers to pictures of the tent complete with giant TV screen, bar and comfy sofas. Katie posted a picture of the couple’s three children in “Daddy” No 9 football shirts in the tepee.
Bizarrely, the official Euro 2020 trophy was at the King’s Head Pub in Tooting, South London, yesterday.
Tooting’s Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-khan managed to organise the visit to help raise money for charity.
England will now face Denmark in the semi-final at Wembley on Wednesday. Win that and they play Italy or Spain in next Sunday’s Wembley final in what would be England’s biggest game since winning the 1966 World Cup Final.