AN hour before kick-off a rainbow appeared above the stadium, as England prepared to chase that elusive pot of gold.
The atmosphere was incredible as fans in high spirits unfurled hundreds of St George flags ahead of England's first test of the Euros 2024.
The flags, emblazoned with the names of football clubs and towns and villages, seemed to fill every bit of available space.
They came from across the country - from Barrow and Spennymoor to Redruth and Dover.
Many of the 40,000-strong army of Three Lions fans who flocked to Gelsenkirchen in western Germany managed to get tickets for the game and England fans outnumbered Serbia's by at least two to one.
There were a number of WAGs in the crowd including captain Harry Kane's wife Katie Goodland and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's partner Megan Davison.
And full-throated England fans made their presence felt as they bellowed their favourite anthems, including Don't take me Home and Football's Coming Home.
They also taunted the Tartan Army by singing: "Scotland get battered everywhere they go" to remind them of their team's 5-1 thrashing by Germany on Friday night.
Bu hikaye Daily Mirror UK dergisinin June 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Daily Mirror UK dergisinin June 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
BRAVERU WORLD
United stars are bracing themselves for a huge shake-up under Amorim and De Ligt admits that they must be ready
MERINO: WE MUST BE SPECIAL
Mikel: We must forget recent blip, stay positive & win every gave
CHANGES.OR DIE
Gusto says having a big Chelsea squad isn't a problem...it's vital if the Blues want to build a winning team
HIT THE WRIGHT WAIT NOTE
Boss jeered as Oz player but hopes Hull fans will soon sing his praises
GP didn't tell family of low' teen's suicide plan TRAGEDY
Anger over experts' double error
REFFING & BLINDING
Prem official is suspended for sweary Klopp rant film
told or Grenadian neighbour, left Red alert on pace of climate change
Stark report at Cop29 summit
Glowing old gracef
Linda's joy at non-surgical facelift result
Ex-soldier admits escaping jail strapped under a lorrý
Khalife changes plea but still on spy rap
My mum's killer came out of his home & his evil eyes flashed at me
Son confronts Muriel's murderer, 55 years on