Blackburn Rovers fans in Berlin for the Euro 2024 final said following England in Germany has been a truly ‘magical experience’.
Paul Clegg who has been updating people back home throughout the tournament has been a Rovers fan for 50 and has been in Germany since June 10. He has been to all the England games, visiting most of the host cities.
He said: “Five weeks later, bags full of memories, amazing moments in football with England. Some tough times along the way, it doesn't always go according to plan, but my dream is still alive.
“I believe it is our time. We played teams that sit back and are difficult to breakdown but as you saw against Holland - a team that wants to play football.
“Spain will definitely have a go, and that's when you'll see the football played by England that we all dream about.”
Paul at the semi-final game against the Dutch
Paul was in Dortmund for the semi-final and described the moment England scored.
He said: “After going a goal down against the run of play, we were quite lucky to get the penalty but it's about time we got some in our favour.
“From then on there's only going be one winner, but just as we were all preparing for extra time, - boom - Ollie Watkins scores a wonder goal that triggered the most amazing celebrations I’ve ever experienced in a football stadium.”
He added: “I think I was carried three rows down from my seat full of beer - hugs kisses and whatever else was pouring from everyone's emotions, it was just magical.
“When I eventually got back to my seat I just soaked up the rest of the night with the players and the fans and I don't have the words to describe that feeling.”
Michael with fellow England fans in Dortmund
Here's a great picture sent to us of Rovers fan Liam Haworth who has made it to the final.
Michael Ofoluwa, known as 'Offie' to many people, was also in Dortmund. He has been showcasing his famous Blackburn Rovers flag with his name ‘Offie’ written on it at games.
He was at both the Switzerland game and in Dortmund on two famous nights for England.
He returned home after the thrilling semi-final game and headed to Berlin, via Cologne on Saturday.
He said: “I am taking a plane from Manchester to Cologne and back via other countries.
“There was a train from Cologne to Hamburg on the Saturday. I stay in a hotel for two nights and then get the train to Berlin on Sunday morning.
“I am then back after game to Hamburg before the train to Cologne on the Monday.”
On the return journey, Offie will be coming back via Faro.
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Paul added fans who do make it into the stadiums have to put a lot of effort in over the year.
He said: “England fans don't just rock up at a tournament and are given tickets, you've got to put in a lot of hard yards. Apart from trekking down to Wembley for the home games, it means going to Italy, Malta, trekking through Poland in searing heat for three days.”
England play Spain tonight (Sunday) in the final of Euro 2024. Kick-off is at 8pm.
If you are in Berlin for the final e-mail us on skhan@nqnw.co.uk with your pictures.
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