DOWNCAST England fans have started the journey back to the UK after a heartbreaking defeat in the Euro 2024 final.
The Three Lions fell to a heartbreaking late 2-1 defeat to Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday night.
Cole Palmer had sent England supporters into raptures both in the German capital and back home with his strike from the edge of the box on 73 minutes.
The Chelsea winger’s goal cancelled out Nico Williams’ opener shortly after half time, but Mikel Oryazabal converted from close-range to win a fourth European Championship for Spain.
England’s gutted players were seen being consoled by their families and friends in the stands after the game.
And their supporters have now started the journey home after their hopes of a first major trophy for 58 years were cruelly dashed.
Around 50,000 England fans are understood to have headed to Berlin for the final.
In the hours before kick-off, they got in the spirit by downing pints while waving England flags.
Iconic sites including the Brandenburg Gate and Friedrichstrasse saw England fans bearing the St George cross.
Most fans took flights to Germany for the match, but three friends from Stoke-on-Trent took an unusual approach after a joke in the pub escalated.
The trio made a near five-hour drive to Dover to get the boat over to France.
That hour-and-a-half boat journey was followed by around 10 hours on the road travelling through France, Belgium, Holland and eventually Germany.
But fans who had paid thousands to get to Berlin by planes, trains, cars and camper vans trudged away from the stadium to drown their sorrows last night.
Accountant Jonathan Lewis, 54, from Covington, Cambs, who drove 13 hours to Berlin on Saturday, said: “It’s so upsetting to get so close but not quite go all the way yet again.
“It’s still not coming home after all these years and it’s hard to take.
“But we’re proud of the team coming this far, and, unlike after Euro 2020, there must be no scapegoats.”
Tournament veteran Simon Harris, 66, a retired finance worker, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, said:”I’m gutted. Spain were so strong and we didn’t have enough to beat them on the night.
“I’m still pleased to have come this far. Every player gave their their all.”
“We’ve been getting closer and now it’s time to push on and win the World Cup in 2026.”
