It was all too easy to lose count of how many flags there were: 50? 60? 100, or more? Leicester, Coventry, "our mate Jimmy Lockett", Marwood Whites, Courthouse Reds, Oulton Broad and Hereford. It seems there was no part of England that hadn't had a run on its polyester flags of St George. And for that matter Belgrade might be short on flags too - there was barely an inch of Gelsenkirchen hoarding that wasn't marked out as territory by fans of either Serbia or England.
With fingers crossed and barring any light night disorder, the sole first-round match to have been designated as "high risk" by Uefa passed without real trouble or incident. But it did confirm what had already been visible across the Ruhr valley these past few days; that the international football tournament is back and football fandom with it.
Eight years is a long time in football, and Germany 2024 is the first tournament since France 2016 to offer easy, unfettered enjoyment to European supporters. They have embraced the opportunity. Fans from across the continent and beyond (there were Japanese ultras in the mix in the town of Essen yesterday morning, and a family of Mexicans who had arrived turned out in England gear, with Bellingham on the back of course) have been talking, joking, chilling and, yes, drinking to their hearts' content for nearly a week.
Denne historien er fra June 17, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra June 17, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Parry: Premier League would be 'sterile' without EFL
Rick Parry has accused the Premier League of undervaluing the football pyramid, arguing that without the \"variety and competition\" that come from relegation and promotion the game would become \"sterile\".
Official review: Coote faces FA investigation as Webb breaks silence on video
The Football Association has launched its own investigation into the behaviour of the referee David Coote after remarks he made about Jürgen Klopp in a video that surfaced online this week.
Match-by-match: Coote's Liverpool games as an official
Referee who has been caught on video in a foul-mouthed tirade against Jürgen Klopp officiated 21 Liverpool games. Andy Hunter takes a look at the decisions in each one
Wretched, haunted but human: a referee shaped by modern football
Is it really a surprise that an official or someone similar should end up glassy-eyed and spitting toxins on a sofa?
Hall's audition adds intrigue to England's Nations League finale
In-form Newcastle defender can show Thomas Tuchel he can be the solution to perennial problem on the left
'It's about robust planning, proper financial control'
is about \"preventing the shocks\" that have disrupted the sport in recent years.
'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'
The super-lightweight world champion Katie Taylor says her rematch against Amanda Serrano in Texas, as the main support act to Tyson v Paul, will be something special
Blindkilde Brown and Fujino help City avoid slip up
Manchester City maintained their 100% start in the Women's Champions League group stage as second-half goals from youngsters Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino were enough to beat a determined Hammarby side.
Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis
The England coach, Jon Lewis, said his players experienced a \"sharp learning curve\" about perception management in the fallout from their disastrous group-stage exit in last month's T20 World Cup.
No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks
England will not be benefiting from the insider knowledge of their former Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones this weekend after it emerged that neither their players nor key staff members have been in contact with the Irishman, still supposedly employed remotely by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
