ENGLAND fans were anxious but optimistic ahead of the Denmark game, writes reporter Daniel Green, who went out in Brighton to experience the atmosphere.

The sun was shining across the city but the question on every football fan’s lips was whether the sun would shine on the Three Lions and grant them a place in an international final for the first time since 1966.

There was a quiet optimism among many.

Tom Hawkins said: “If we can beat Germany, why can’t we win it?”

But others were much more cautious. Given England’s previous history with international semi-finals, especially their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the last World Cup, it is not hard to see why.

Even Archie Burden, who got the England flag shaved on to his head ahead of the game with Germany, couldn’t help feeling a little anxious.

“I won’t be able to fully calm down unless we are two goals ahead," he said. "This won’t be as easy as the Ukraine game.”

The Argus:

Despite not being in the city centre, The Ladies Mile pub in Patcham was very lively ahead of the game, with excited fans chanting and singing in anticipation. Even the staff had caught football fever, some wearing masks of England manager Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane.

As the match got under way, all eyes were glued to the screen. As several chances came and went for England, people were on the edge of their seats, praying for a breakthrough to give them an early lead in this historic match.

There was a stunned silence as Denmark scored and England conceded their first goal of the tournament. It is fair to say that, at least for a time, there was a fear that the "semi-final curse" might have struck once again.

However, when a Denmark own goal saw England equalise less than ten minutes later, the pub erupted. Fans jumped from their seats, pumping their fists in the air and cheering. Even the staff couldn’t contain their excitement as the team began to come back.

The second half saw the tension in the pub build even more - cheers in anticipation as England ran towards the goal and an agonising groan when they were denied by the Danes.

A flash of anger came when England were not given a penalty after Kane went down and there was a free kick the other way.

When full-time came, I have to admit I feared England were heading to penalties, with memories of the tense game with Columbia in the 2018 World Cup.

 

Cheers erupted when England got a penalty in the first half of extra time - loud enough to make you think the team had already scored. A brief groan as Kane’s shot was deflected was soon followed by a huge roar as the captain managed to score. Drinks went flying and the tension evaporated in seconds as it became clear that England could actually win this.

I could not contain my own excitement at the prospect of England making it to the final and was pumping my fists in the air.

The final whistle blew and the pub erupted once again. As the patrons spilled into the street, cars honked their horns in delight at the result.

From my cab back into the city centre, all I could see were crowds England fans jumping up and down and cheering.

By the time I reached West Street, a throng of hundreds was marching down the road in jubilation. Drivers stuck in traffic high-fived the passersby and joined in the cheering.

A crowd gathered at the bottom of the road where they sang “Football’s coming home” and chanted tributes to Harry Maguire. One man clambered up a lamp post and used a sign as a drum, with the fans chanting “England!” at the top of their lungs in response.

Others tried to join the man up the lamp post, with police looking on and shaking their heads.

READ MORE: Cheers and chants as fans flood West Street after England win

As smoke bombs and beer cans began to be thrown by some in the crowd, I decided to head off, only to be greeted by another crowd which had gathered outside the Royal Pavilion. They were in an equally triumphant mood, jumping and throwing their drinks in the air as they chanted “Southgate, you’re the one”.

Heading home, I was thinking how great England’s performance has been for the mood of the country. For a nation that has endured months of lockdown, it is fantastic to see everyone united in joy as the home team does us proud. My only hope now is that the dream of many an England fan finally comes true - surely this is the year football comes home.