EURO 2020: Fans in the Midlands rejoice as England make first final in 55 years
Fans across the Midlands are celebrating as England's men's side booked their place in a final for the first time in 55 years with a 2-1 win against Denmark in the EURO 2020 Semi-Final.
It was the visitors Denmark who took the lead in the 30th minute through a long range free-kick from Mikkel Damsgaard. This is how England fans at the Trent Navigation Inn in Nottingham.
Nine minutes later and despair turned to delight as England equalised thanks to Simon Kjaer's own goal, putting plenty of smiles on faces at Bar Sport in Cannock.
Many fans were hoping Aston Villa's Jack Grealish will make an appearance following his impressive cameo against Germany in the quarter-finals - and they got their wish in the second-half. Much to the delight of fans at the Bar Sport in Cannock.
Into extra-time and England took the lead in the 104th minute, Harry Kane scoring the rebound from his initial penalty kick, sparking scenes of elation in the Canal House in Birmingham and Trent Navigation Inn in Nottingham.
Alongside Grealish, another Midlands-born player who's made his EURO 2020 debut been Jude Bellingham - breaking a record along the way by playing in the competition.
Born in Stourbridge, he became the youngest player in history (17 years and 349 days) to appear at the European Championships when he came on as a substitute against Croatia in England's first game of the tournament.
ITV News Central Sports Correspondent Steve Clamp caught up with Bellingham's old coach from Birmingham City's academy Mike Dodds who spoke about what it was like to coach the midfielder when he was a child.
Meanwhile, Three Lions fans have been asked to keep up the good work after no football related arrests were made in Nottingham over the weekend.
People were seen celebrating in Old Market Square after the match and police have praised the public for their cooperation with officers in the city.
There were still reminders about Covid-19 safety ahead of the match. Director for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, Dr Richard Harling, said: “England fans will be hoping for a great result tonight, but we want to see as few positive Covid results linked to people watching the game as possible."
"This is only achievable if people are taking care and following the rules in place at venues to keep them safe."
If Gareth Southgate's side wins tonight then England will make it to their first major final since 1966.
Denmark and Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will be out to stop that and he joked with the media that football won't be coming home.
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