Euro 2020: Pubs and bars fill up as excitement mounts ahead of England Italy final at Wembley
18:48, 11 July 2021
updated: 14:14, 12 July 2021
Chanting and pints and renditions of Atomic Kitten hit 'Football's Coming Home Again' have broken out across Kent and that was before Luke Shaw's goal in the opening few minutes of Euro 2020.
Venues are filling up ahead of tonight's historic kick-off which will see England take on Italy in the final.
Fans sing 'Football's Coming Home Again' Scroll down for more video
Crowds went wild tonight as Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw combined to fire England ahead in the first two minutes of the match.
But Leonardo Bonucci clawed one back for the Italian side in the 66th minute.
It is the first time the England squad have been in a major final in 55 years.
In Maidstone fans queued round the block waiting to get into Source Bar, while chanting can already be heard in Banks Bar, in the town's Bank Street.
The Five Pointed Star pub in West Malling has even laid down fake turf for its fans to watch the match.
In London fans began gathering hours ahead of the 8pm kick-off time at Wembley, with the stadium due to host 60,000 people later.
Many of the county's larger venues have instigated changes in who can watch the match tonight.
Dreamland in Margate has said a condition of entry is that each person must show proof of a negative PCR or lateral flow Covid test 72 hours before kick off.
It followed scenes of carnage last month when England beat Germany and the fun park has said anyone involved in the chaos from that night will be barred.
England v Italy tickets at Folkestone Harbour Arm, which has operated a big screen for the tournament, were allocated on a random ballot for tonight.
The change was made so fans had an equal chance of getting to the venue, with tickets selling out in seconds.
However, manager Gareth Southgate thanked fans for their "incredible support" throughout the tournament and pledged to do "everything we can" to win.
In a video message on the official England football Twitter account, Southgate, who has been praised for his leadership of the team, said the fans’ support has given them a “huge lift”.
He said: “We hope that you’ve enjoyed watching us play.
At the Scared Crow in West Malling, Syd Jenner said “It’s still tentative. We did the right thing going 1-0 up but now we’re worried. We’ve never won before but we’re still in it."
Italian chef Fabio Morol, who works at the pub, said: "I think we’re going to draw. But I think England will win 2-1 if it goes to extra time. If it goes to penalties Italy will win”
