Football fans descended on the streets and pubs of England and Germany on Sunday to cheer on the Three Lions for the Euros final.
Tens of thousands of fans made “epic” journeys to be in Berlin, while back at home the nation’s pubs and bars filled up hours before kick-off.
England manager Southgate said the team has been “grateful” for the support throughout the tournament, with hundreds of thousands of fans cheering on the team against Spain.
Despite the heartbreak of the England men’s team falling at the final hurdle for a second European final in succession, hospitality bosses said their efforts had “inadvertently saved our sector" - because millions of extra pints were sold.
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: "I can attest that tonight we witnessed a group of footballers who gave their all on the field in pursuit of a national legacy.
"In doing so, they have inadvertently saved our sector, selling millions of pints throughout the tournament and generating nearly a billion in additional revenue for our local pubs and venues, which have faced immense challenges over the past four years.
"This tournament has taken us on an unforgettable journey, allowing us to momentarily set aside our daily struggles.
"This evening's final has reignited a sense of national pride and reminded us of our values and passion.
"We hope this will be a pivotal moment that changes the nation's mood and rekindles our spirit and desire to engage, socialise, and celebrate culture."
Prior to the match, fans set off flares and sang on one side of the Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin – while Spanish supporters danced and waved flags on the other side.
Among those in Berlin was barber Sam Tattersall, 29, from Nottingham, who shaved a red St George’s Cross into his hair, saying: “I thought I’d go for it with the St George’s cross because football’s coming home.”
Rob Cheetham, 24, from Wiltshire, said he had been camping in Essen since the start of the tournament.
He said: “I think the amount of times we’ve gone one behind and come back, no matter what happens in the start of the match I’m still going to have hope.
“Even if we’re losing in the 90th minute, we’ve still got hope that we can bring it back at the end.”
One man in an England shirt climbed a flagpole while others stood on tables drinking beer and chanting.
England fans paid thousands of pounds, travelling by air, road and rail to Germany.
Alfie Bray, 21, a mechanical engineer from Birmingham, had flown from London to Frankfurt and got the train to Berlin.
He and friend Callum Williams, 21, booked travel to the city as soon as the second goal was scored in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, fans were in a jubilant mood as they headed to the capital’s O2 arena after a ballot for 15,000 free tickets to watch the game at the north Greenwich venue was announced this week by London mayor Sadiq Khan.
Outside the arena, choruses of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and Blur’s Parklife rang out as fans shared in the build-up and posed for photos together before the final.
Ticket holders for the O2 watched the match on a 16-metre screen.
Glenn Sanderson, 29, who travelled from Southend-on-Sea in Essex to watch the final there, said: “I am confident, I wouldn’t say it’s a guaranteed win but I think the way we’ve been playing – we’ve been building up something for a long time, and today I think we might do it.
“If the men’s team are going to follow the women’s team, the under 21s did the same thing a couple of years ago as well – it’s the next step in the progression of football.
“If the women can win it – so can the men.”
Craig Miles, 36, travelled from Cookham in Berkshire to watch the match at Boxpark in Croydon, south-east London, as part of a group of 10 friends.
Mr Miles said: “I think we’re going to win. I think it’s our time.
“I was at the final at Wembley when we lost to Italy three years ago. That was pretty painful.
“On paper we have a better team (than Spain), but they’re playing better.”
Around 200 fans packed into the bar at Stourbridge FC, in the home town of midfielder Jude Bellingham.
England fan John Evans, who was aged 14 when the national team last won a major tournament in 1966, said of the final: “Of course we are going to bloody do it.
“If he (Bellingham) scores the winning goal, this club will be destroyed there will be so much jumping up and down.
“What we are all here for is England to win, and if Jude Bellingham could score the winning goal it would be wonderful for Stourbridge.”
