Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Bob Dale
- Role, BBC News, South East
England fans across Sussex have been celebrating the team’s Euro 2024 semi-final win over the Netherlands.
England beat the Dutch 2-1 in Dortmund on Wednesday thanks to a last-minute goal by Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, and will face Spain in the final on Sunday.
Glynn Davies, from Lancing, was in the stadium to watch the drama unfold, a night he described as “amazing”.
He told BBC Radio Sussex: “The roof came off – absolutely came off!”
Mark Raven from West Hoathly was also at the match.
He said: “I’m still over the moon, last night was absolutely fantastic. The noise and atmosphere at the end of the game was unreal.
“I thought we fully deserved to win, in the first half we took them to pieces. Our big players all turned up so, finally, we got a good display.
“We were in the ground partying for ages, I can’t tell you how long after the final whistle.
“We’re just planning our drive to Berlin. I’ve forgotten what work’s like.”
Image source, Getty Images
The England squad includes Brighton and Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk, although he has yet to make an appearance on the pitch.
Brighton’s first choice goalkeeper Bart Varbruggen was in goal for the Dutch against England.
Manager Gareth Southgate, from Crawley, has been praised for bringing on Watkins and Cole Palmer as substitutes late in the game. It was Palmer who set up Watkins for the 90th-minute winner.
Mr Davies said the manager “brought them on early enough to make a difference, and it was a great double act to bring on.
“Hats off to him. He did the right thing. I never doubted him.
“Dortmund’s ground’s a long way from the train station so most of our celebrations were spent walking back down into town, but we did have a few beers and there was quite a bit of singing.”
Mr Davies is guaranteed a ticket for the final and says he will be behind the goal “trying my best to cheer the team on”.