Euro 2020: Who's in? England team lineup revealed ahead of semi-final clash against Denmark
As the Three Lions try to reach a major tournament final for the first time since 1966, supporters will order an estimated 6.8 million pints, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has predicted.
Wednesday 7 July 2021 19:55, UK
Bukayo Saka has replaced Jadon Sancho as the England lineup was announced ahead of the semi-final clash against Denmark.
The remainder of the Three Lions starting lineup remains the same as the quarter final against Ukraine, which England won 4-0.
It comes as thousands of England fans began gathering outside Wembley Stadium as the team prepares to try to end 55 years of hurt by reaching a major men's tournament final for the first time since 1966.
Supporters, some dressed as knights of St George, many draped in flags, milled around the venue hours before kick-off, with alcohol much in evidence and several flares being let off.
Dozens of police have been deployed there and at one point, England supporters jumped on tables and chanted "it's coming home" and "God save the Queen" while booing Danish supporters.
Euro 2020: Latest news on Wednesday's big game
A sea of Three Lions shirts and England flags could be seen at the fan zone in Trafalgar Square.
One supporter, Dave Smalls, 42, a plumber from Basildon in Essex, said: "I honestly can't wait for this - everything seems different to tournaments in the past."
England face Denmark in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 with a showdown against Italy in Sunday's final at stake.
Whatever happens on the pitch, it's set to be a boozy evening off it, with supporters expected to order an estimated 6.8 million pints during the game, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said.
Or, in other words, fans will buy more than 50,000 pints a minute between kick-off at 8pm and 10pm.
Around 10 million beers will be ordered on Wednesday evening overall, the BBPA said, adding that it would be closer to 12 million but for coronavirus restrictions such as social distancing.
England are just two wins away from lifting their first major trophy and one from their first major tournament final in more than half a century.
Manager Gareth Southgate, who guided the squad to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, missed the decisive penalty as England lost their last European Championship semi-final to Germany in 1996.
The 60,000 crowd will be the largest at a sporting event in the UK since coronavirus restrictions were introduced last spring and will include the Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the Football Association.
Most fans at Wembley tonight will be rooting for the home side and trying to create a typically partisan atmosphere, with "It's Coming Home" likely to be sung more than once if all is going well for England.
However Denmark will also have supporters there, with the country's ambassador to the UK, Lars Thuesen, saying 8,000 Danes living in the UK will also be in the stadium.
Despite numbers limited due to travel restrictions, 40 other Danes are being flown in for the game on a plane chartered by the Danish Football Association (DBU).
The lucky supporters, the DBU says, will arrive on the official delegation's flight will be in a "bubble and have no contacts with others".
The federation has sent about 5,000 Danish flags to fans going to the game "so Wembley will be as red and white as possible".
Mr Thuesen also said the tournament had been a "huge emotional rollercoaster" for Danes, after star midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during the defeat to Finland in their opening match.
He told Sky News: "It started out we were crying, we were praying, then a few minutes later, when we realised he was going to recover, we were crying (tears) of joy. There are higher things at stake than football.
"He's still part of the team, part of the WhatsApp group, he wanted us to participate in the tournament as though nothing has happened."
It's summer, so naturally an umbrella is a good idea for anyone watching at an outside venue, as showers are forecast for parts of England throughout the day, although London is expected to remain dry during the match.
Three hours ahead of kick-off, hundreds of fans had already gathered in the fan zone in Trafalgar Square, as police urged those watching the match in pubs and fan zones to respect social distancing.
A TV audience of tens of millions is expected to tune in to ITV's coverage later, after England's 4-0 quarter-final victory over Ukraine was watched by an average of 19.8 million people on the BBC.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among those urging the England team on, saying: "We will all be wishing them [England] the best of luck in getting to the final. Bring it home!"
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the squad "will have the whole nation behind them tonight".
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said he cannot guarantee there will not be an outbreak of Covid-19 cases linked to football fans watching the game.