England followers sang and cheered the evening away after the Three Lions beat Serbia 1-0 of their first Euro 2024 match.
A header by Jude Bellingham put England ahead in the 13th minute, and was the one purpose in a tense sport for Gareth Southgate’s aspect.
That did not matter for the close to 20,000 followers in Gelsenkirchen and hundreds of thousands again within the UK, with pints thrown within the air and flares set off after the ultimate whistle.
Chants of “it is coming residence” rang out at Wembley Boxpark – however over in Germany, considerations about potential violence had been raised earlier than the match.
A conflict between followers outdoors the world noticed seven Serbian followers arrested previous to kick-off, however native police stated many of the day handed “with out incident”.
‘It is all about Jude is not it?’
Sky Information sports activities correspondent Rob Harris caught up with followers outdoors the Veltins Area after the sport, who heaped reward on Bellingham, England’s man of the match.
Whereas one stated the sport “might have been higher” and England “sat again” after their one purpose, he added: “It is all about Jude is not it. Jude FC.”
He then stated the event has been instance of “pageant soccer” thus far – with followers in good spirits – and that “all people’s been making it out to be worse than it’s… It has been actually enjoyable thus far – good vibes”.
Because it occurred: Fans’ delight after Bellingham goal
England followers have a good time as their crew wins their first match in Euro 2024. Pic: AP
One other fan leaving the stands stated: “It is onerous, the primary sport of the event, so I will take that.”
His good friend added: “On the finish of the day all now we have to do is get the three factors, deliver residence the wins, and get by way of to the knockouts.”
Scenes of England followers celebrating in Hebburn, South Tyneside. Pic: AP
Seven arrested after ‘bottles thrown’
Sky Information noticed police swarm a bar in Gelsenkirchen the place Serbia followers had been ingesting forward of the sport.
Rob Harris reported “chairs being flung, tables being thrown, and numerous followers working across the nook”, with “quite a lot of bottles being thrown”.
In an announcement, German police confirmed that they had been knowledgeable of a confrontation between Serbian and English soccer followers.
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Seven Serbian followers arrested after brawl
They added: “Riot police had been deployed and separated the 2 fan camps. They took seven Serbian supporters into custody and filed a felony grievance for grievous bodily hurt.
“There have been no additional incidents on the best way to the world. There’s a vigorous ambiance across the stadium.”
Gelsenkirchen police later stated “in the course of the sport and after the sport ended, every part in and across the stadium remained quiet” – and each units of followers left with out incident.
Law enforcement officials search an England fan earlier than the Serbia sport. Pic: AP
Starmer, Sunak and Davey cheer
The travelling supporters had been joined again residence by Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Ed Davey, who all joined within the celebrations on social media.
The prime minister agreed that Bellingham was “one thing particular”, whereas Angela Rayner posted {a photograph} with the Labour Occasion chief and comedians Matt Forde and Jon Richardson.
Sir Ed additionally shared a snap from the Liberal Democrats election bus.
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Whereas Southgate admitted “we did not hold it fairly in addition to we have to” within the second half, the win takes England to the highest of Group C after Denmark and Slovenia drew.
Subsequent up for the Three Lions is Denmark at 5pm on Thursday in Frankfurt, earlier than the group stage involves a detailed for England towards Slovenia at 8pm on 25 June.