- Author, Shehnaz Khan
- Role, BBC News, West Midlands
England football fans in Leamington Spa said they were “feeling ecstatic” after a last-minute win put the side through to the Euro 2024 final.
About 400 people packed into Leamington Assembly to watch the semi-final against the Netherlands on a big screen on Wednesday.
Chants of “come on England” and “it’s coming home” could be heard around the venue after substitute Ollie Watkins scored in the 90th minute.
“We are the best team in the world,” one fan told the BBC after the win.
Gareth Southgate’s side will now face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, after beating the Netherlands 2-1.
The Three Lions had looked to be going into extra time again, before Aston Villa forward Watkins scored the winning goal.
Speaking to BBC CWR at Leamington Assembly in the town centre, one fan said: “The music gets everyone pumped up. If there’s a goal, as soon as a goal goes in, everyone’s just crazy, you know drinks are flying – it’s just nuts.”
Another fan praised England’s performance and said midfielder Declan Rice “needs more appreciation” and was a “pretty strong reason” why England was in the final.
“He’s been an absolute rock in that midfield and I think people need to appreciate him more,” he said.
“Honestly I’m not even an Arsenal fan and I’m saying this, I’m a Man Utd fan. And he’s been playing alongside Kobbie Mainoo who’s also been playing fantastic.”
England’s game against Spain will be their second successive European Championship final, after their loss to Italy on penalties in the Euro 2020 final.
Fans are feeling more optimistic about the upcoming game, with one man suggesting the game will finish 2-1 to England.
“It’s been absolutely sensational,” another fan said of the Netherlands game. “We outplayed them front to back, top to bottom.”
“It’s England to win all the way.”
Kate Williams said she would mark the win by adding new players to a popular mural on a wall outside her home in Nuneaton.
The artwork, first created after England reached the Euro 2020 final, now features Harry Kane, Gareth Southgate, Raheem Stirling, Sir Bobby Moore and Leah Williamson.
The late Queen was also added in 2022.
Mrs Williams said she and husband Paul would liaise with artists about which players to add next and simultaneously raise funds for bleed kits for stab victims.
“Ultimately what we’re going to create is another piece of magic,” she said. “I think the community will get behind it again. Hopefully we’ll take it all the way on Sunday.”