BEER WE GO
Boost to touring England fans as strong beers are BACK for Euro 2024 clash against Denmark
At Frankfurt’s Waldstadion — which has a capacity of 58,000 — a 4.8 per cent Bitburger lager will be available
ENGLAND fans will be back on the strong beers at the Denmark game tomorrow — after being forced to down shandies for the Serbia win.
They will also be allowed to drink while watching the match — a pleasure that has been banned at home for 40 years.
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Fears of hooligan clashes around England’s first group match led to a crackdown by German authorities.
Fans at Gelsenkirchen’s 62,000-seat Veltins Arena were only allowed to sup a 2.5 per cent Bitburger Radler shandy and buy two at a time.
But at Frankfurt’s Waldstadion — with a capacity of 58,000 — a 4.8 per cent Bitburger lager is available.
Police and security analysts predict a party atmosphere at the stadium before and after our second Group C game kicks off at 5pm.
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England will qualify for the tournament’s knock-out stages if they win.
Around 40,000 England fans are expected to flood into the city, even though the FA was allocated just 10,000 seats for the game.
Company director Jamie Holbrook, 49, from Grimsby, said: “Frankfurt is really busy with fans from all over Europe and this is great news.
“It will be a treat for fans who haven’t watched footie with a beer for years in English grounds.”
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Spurs fan Paul Meadows, a 38-year-old roofer from West London, added: “I can’t wait to get the beers in at the game.
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“And I don’t mind getting soaked by beer when Jude Bellingham scores again!”
Drinking alcohol in sight of the pitch has been banned in the top five tiers of English football since a 1985 hooligan crackdown.
Rules are relaxed in Germany’s Bundesliga.
The Football Supporters’ Association hailed the ale sale move, announcing: “Alcohol is expected to be back to normal for this game, with no restrictions on sale and normal beer percentages available.
“And you should be able to drink in the stands — Frankfurt is a great city with plenty of options for England fans.”
Bars in the city have been stocking up on lager and local speciality apple wine.
The cider-like drink is around five per cent proof and is proving popular with visiting fans.
A city spokesman said: “We don’t expect any riots and rampages.
“We’ll also sell Frankfurt’s beloved national drink, apple wine, which isn’t just alcohol — it’s our cultural heritage!”
England fans dodged the strong beer ban in the stadium at Sunday’s game by pre-loading with extra booze for hours before kick-off.
But the Frankfurt city spokesman declared: “If the English want to knock back eight beers before the match, they will.
“We’ve already got many Scots around who give us an impression of what to expect from the English in the following days.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo, 19, hailed the fans in Germany and back home.
He said: “All the support is appreciated, you feel it most in the stadium.
“It was amazing against Serbia.
“I just hope everyone tunes in and supports us.
“Everyone dreams of scoring big goals for their country.
“It’s always been a big dream.”
Rice's on Song
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MIDFIELDER Declan Rice is the England squad’s best singer and dancer — says his teammates.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford named the £100million Arsenal ace, 25, as top of the pops among the Three Lions.
And when Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo was asked to rank the team’s skills on the dancefloor, he said: “Dec’s got a bit.” Rice is known to enjoy singing along to music with his teammates.
He has named Pawsa’s Pick Up The Phone as a favourite — and also gave a brief rendition of Dexta Daps’ Shabba Madda Pot.
'Yob' fan bail
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AN ENGLAND fan appeared in court yesterday after trouble broke out before our opening Euros match against Serbia.
Gordon Thomas, 39, was held at Manchester Airport after he returned to the UK from Germany on Monday night.
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Prosecutors said police will seek a football banning order against him. Thomas, from Bolton, is accused of being involved in violence in the streets of Gelsenkirchen before Sunday’s 1-0 victory.
The HGV driver was bailed at Manchester magistrates’ court and the case adjourned until August 23 to allow him to seek legal advice.
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