Football Fan assemble, Euro 2020 the Italy v England Final ⚽

[DuncinToffee]

"The thing about football - the important thing about football - is that it is not just about football."

[quote Runningupthecurtains]@ChocBeforeCock
I'm about a decade older than you my teen tears were for Italia 90. But 96 still bloody hurt. I'm having a real wobble at the moment and I'm certain we will lose but 30 decades of supporting a club side that have slowly climbed from div 4 to premier League with lots of ups and down joy and heartache along the way has taught me to have a healthy sense of pessimism then the good times are even sweeter. Come on England.[/quote]
I agree, I can’t quite let myself believe yet… someone nailed it on Twitter that they want to tell themselves that they’re happy just to have made the final but can’t help but hope because he had given up on the prospect of a major trophy for England.

Since Euro 96, despite some amazing players, it has never quite worked for England, and now since Southgate it has. This batch of players are so young and talented that even if it doesn’t happen tonight, it may happen in the next decade or so. So nice to be able to say that without sounding ridiculous!

5 hours to go and I've got a headache already.

Apparently the Italians are using Spurs training ground to train today and that isn't a good thing .. ?

@MrsJackGrealish

5 hours to go and I've got a headache already.

Passes over some paracetamol:

I wish it was an early kick off ..
why so late ?

Checking in. Watching the tennis and pretending to be interested. I think there's some drunk people about around here already. It's going to be a long day.

I'm shocked they didn't have an earlier kick off to avoid too many drunk people spoiling it all !
Already flares let off at a station apparently :(
Idiots

Should a ban drinking til kick off.

@MrsJackGrealish

Should a ban drinking til kick off.

Yes. Should have been

@the80sweregreat

I wish it was an early kick off .. why so late ?

TV. They will want it to work for USA I expect, and Asia too (as best they can).

I keep thinking about tonight and welling up. I’m going to be an incoherent wreck by kick off. This is the best bit for me, the anticipation, the build up, the hope and the thought that maybe. Just maybe.

I truly hate what alcohol does to people. I don't mind a drink, but people go to get drunk, on purpose, and the mood changes.
I actually find it quite upsetting.

I've seen similar stuff on trains where a bunch of fans think they're having fun (I guess they are) chanting songs and being noisy, but if you stand back and observe it from the outside, it's very intimidating for other passengers and it's not particularly safe when a large group take over a carriage.

It reminds me of when you're a designated driver and you 'observe' what happens when the others are all drinking. It's not always an attractive sight.

I find groups of people drunk so intimidating at any time, but it's just worse when it's for a reason and this is a big deal tonight.
I like a drink myself, but people take it too far and become nasty. Plus many have been stuck in for well over a year as well , which must be making it worse as well. I really hope that the fans behave.

I dont really drink at all (Couple of times of a year maybe) so I dont get why people need to drink until they turn into nasty bastards/pass out/shit themselves.

What is the point? Drink yeah, til your a little bit gone but know your limits.

My local has been packed since 11.

I will be having beers tonight (have every match so can’t change anything now!!) but we’ll start at 7 with the pundits

If I was drinking all day I’d be asleep by kickoff and wouldn’t remember it anyway!

I've been to a few event at Wembley (watching City) with my son. We've been in groups that drink too much, it's naff. Thankfully, it's not all, but they end up being louder and more obnoxious than the rest.
They either end up aggressive, or they overly affectionate with none drunk people, which ends up getting messy, then they get angry anyway.

Call me old fashioned, but I want to savour the atmosphere. Remember every moment (as best I can!). Nothing is as intense or satisfying as being able to 'feel' things when sober!

I've no problem with a couple of pints over a couple of hours maybe.
If it gets much more than that, you're tipsy and it clouds judgment. Less than ideal in crowd situations.

Alcohol is a curse isn't it?
I do love a drink myself, but I haven't been properly drunk in years and years ( I can't handle it anymore)
Life would be better without it around I think.
It's a shame it was ever ' invented ' ( along with cigarettes! )

Last time I got close to drunk was a couple of years back at a works do.

It were bosses fault. Paying for our drinks all night werent a smart idea.

Alcohol can be addictive though ; evil stuff really!
Anyway, just over four hours to go ..

Ok. Headache getting worse.

Time for the painkillers.

Like most things - best in moderation.

The very thing that makes football great - the camaraderie, the atmosphere, the rivalries, is also the thing that is taken too far and spoils it. We all love the same game. None of us are on the pitch and the fortunes of our teams are completely out of our hands... so there should be no arrogance in winning, or failure in losing - just the enjoyment of being along for the ride.

Somewhere in Italy, there's a group just like us, hoping their team can put some happiness into a country that's suffered very similarly to ours. A group of Italians, nervous but hopeful. Just like us.

Whoever wins, we should always remember that it could easily have been 'on the other side'. Commiserate or congratulate them, and do it with dignity.

Then raise a small glass to them!!!

Going for a stroll

@DuncinToffee

Going for a stroll

"Lads, who booked the bus??"

"We thought YOU did boss!"

...

"Calver-Lewin, get that Sat Nav on your phone... we're walking it"

*Calvert

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