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World Cup 2018: England glued to semi-final | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Pubs, parks, castles, caravans - it doesn't matter where you're watching, as long as you're watching. | Pubs, parks, castles, caravans - it doesn't matter where you're watching, as long as you're watching. |
Following a mass exodus of workplaces up and down the country, millions are glued to one of the biggest matches in England's history. | |
Our reporters are out and about soaking up the atmosphere as a nation dares to dream. | Our reporters are out and about soaking up the atmosphere as a nation dares to dream. |
We're at Hyde Park in London, where up to 30,000 fans will (hopefully) see their team triumph over Croatia. The screening of the World Cup semi-final is the biggest in the capital since Euro 96. | We're at Hyde Park in London, where up to 30,000 fans will (hopefully) see their team triumph over Croatia. The screening of the World Cup semi-final is the biggest in the capital since Euro 96. |
There are also screenings at Nottingham Castle, Manchester's Castlefield Bowl and on Brighton Beach. | There are also screenings at Nottingham Castle, Manchester's Castlefield Bowl and on Brighton Beach. |
And at Croydon's Boxpark, there's already a beer shortage. | |
At Hyde Park, father and son Andrew and Luke Downing, 39 and 13, were first in and at the front of the stage. | At Hyde Park, father and son Andrew and Luke Downing, 39 and 13, were first in and at the front of the stage. |
"We've been hovering around since two o'clock and came in as soon as the doors opened," Andrew said. | "We've been hovering around since two o'clock and came in as soon as the doors opened," Andrew said. |
"Since the start I've had every confidence we would get through to the semis. We're going to win 2-1." | "Since the start I've had every confidence we would get through to the semis. We're going to win 2-1." |
Jess Baker, Dan Hanna and Dizzy Baker are predicting a 2-1 England victory. | Jess Baker, Dan Hanna and Dizzy Baker are predicting a 2-1 England victory. |
Dizzy said: "We've got our spot, we've set our blanket and that's us for the rest of the day. | Dizzy said: "We've got our spot, we've set our blanket and that's us for the rest of the day. |
"I'm nervous, excited and confident at the same time. I think we're going to do it, but it will go to penalties." | "I'm nervous, excited and confident at the same time. I think we're going to do it, but it will go to penalties." |
Jess added: "We're going to win 2-1. Croatia are going to score first. We'll panic, bring on Rashford and he'll bring it home for us." | Jess added: "We're going to win 2-1. Croatia are going to score first. We'll panic, bring on Rashford and he'll bring it home for us." |
About 8,000 tickets have been snapped up to watch the game at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester. | About 8,000 tickets have been snapped up to watch the game at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester. |
The city has gone football crazy, with people leaving work early at around 15:00 BST. | The city has gone football crazy, with people leaving work early at around 15:00 BST. |
Friends Jack Moore, Rhys Greenwood and Scott Barnes said the bowl is "the only place to be". | Friends Jack Moore, Rhys Greenwood and Scott Barnes said the bowl is "the only place to be". |
"This is better than being in a pub," said Rhys. "And we're going for 2-1 to England." | "This is better than being in a pub," said Rhys. "And we're going for 2-1 to England." |
And the scorer? | And the scorer? |
"It has to be Harry Kane." | "It has to be Harry Kane." |
Drenched in evening sunshine, the nation's beaches are proving a popular spot to watch the match. | Drenched in evening sunshine, the nation's beaches are proving a popular spot to watch the match. |
On Brighton Beach, fans are glued to a big screen on the sand, which was also beaming out the tennis before World Cup fever took hold. | |
Sean Tipping, 31, a sales rep from Lindfield, said: "I'm excited. The way we are playing at the moment, our set pieces are so dangerous. They've done well no matter what." | Sean Tipping, 31, a sales rep from Lindfield, said: "I'm excited. The way we are playing at the moment, our set pieces are so dangerous. They've done well no matter what." |
At Nottingham Castle, 3,000 tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale. | At Nottingham Castle, 3,000 tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale. |
Red and white filled the grounds as people nervously gathered around the big screen. | Red and white filled the grounds as people nervously gathered around the big screen. |
And at Millennium Square, Leeds, thousands are watching with anticipation. | |
And it's obviously not just in England where the tension is building. | And it's obviously not just in England where the tension is building. |
Meanwhile in Moscow . . . | Meanwhile in Moscow . . . |