England fans in Dusseldorf joke they have 'barely recovered' from the Three Lions' nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out but say they now believe they could 'go all the way'
It was the morning after the night before, and sore heads, recovering nerves and much needed drinks were the order of the day for England fans who were there to see the Three Lions claim penalty shootout glory.
After two nights of continual singing 'England, England', Dusseldorf's Alstadt was much calmer although the much needed drinks began going down before lunchtime.
Dave Beaver, 35, a financial consultant from Bristol, downed a few bottles of beer and said: 'I hardly slept last night and everything seems a lot calmer this morning.
'I have barely recovered. My nerves were on an edge throughout the whole match and then in the penalty shootout, I felt my whole body shaking.
'It was an emotional rollercoaster. I was glad I was there though, it was one of those nights not to be missed.'
Dave Beaver, 35, a financial consultant from Bristol, downed a few bottles of beer and said: 'I have barely recovered. My nerves were on an edge throughout the whole match and then in the penalty shootout, I felt my whole body shaking'
Mandy Cox, 58, from Amersham said: 'I was particularly moved for Saka. 'When we had won on penalties and the team ran towards Pickford, I saw Saka go to his knees and put his head on the grass'
Ryan Steer ,36, added: 'I have been to all the group games and was there last night and I believe that there is a confidence growing in this team'
He was one of many fans who never made it back to their hotel rooms after they decided to stay out late celebrating and then missed the last trains out of Dusseldorf.
'My accommodation was about half an hour out of town, so I stayed on my friends floor in his room sleeping on a towel and I probably slept about an hour.'
As he raised a bottle of beer, he added: 'There's something about this team that is very special. I know we have botched our way to the semi-final and we haven't been fluent.
'But maybe fortune is on our side and we could go all the way and become the European champions.
'But whatever happens now, I will never forget last night. When the sun was sitting on the ground and there were literally thousands of England fans still singing for the team, it just became one of the best moments ever.'
His friend Ryan Steer,36, added: 'I have been to all the group games and was there last night and I believe that there is a confidence growing in this team.
'It was extraordinarily tense last night, but they took their penalties really cooly. They were five superb penalties.'
Marta, 40, who sipped glasses of white wine said: 'We are only two matches away from winning one of the world's ultimate competitions.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the winning penalty to see England through to the semi-final
Buyako Saka had scored earlier after cutting in on the left to deliver England into extra time
'I really felt happy for Buyako Saka because of what he went through. He showed incredible character and we loved celebrating him with him.
'England have gone fairly quietly into the semifinals. There's been no fast track for us. We haven't played really well, but we keep improving. Who knows what might happen this week?
'I think Jude Bellingham's goal in the round of 16 was a turning point for England. We were literally a couple of minutes from being knocked out and we have gained a lot of confidence from that. You could see it in the team. '
He said he would be returning home, but hopefully back in Germany for the final featuring England next weekend in Berlin.
Matthew Steer ,47, from Bromsgrove who now lives in Warsaw, said he had been to the World Cups in Russia and Qatar to follow England, but felt this week may finally bring the country the long desired glory.
As he and his wife Marta ,40, sipped glasses of white wine, he said: 'We are only two matches away from winning one of the world's ultimate competitions.
'We seem to be doing enough to get through and the team seems to be slowly ticking at the right time.'
'When we played Denmark, people would have laughed if we had said that England would reach the semifinals. But things are looking so much better.
Peter Davidson, 57, said: 'Jordan Pickford looked right into my eyes and pointed to his temple and was pulling faces and all that. It was a great moment. I think he did put their first penalty taker off and then he saved it'
Matthew Steer ,47, from Bromsgrove who now lives in Warsaw, said he had been to the World Cups in Russia and Qatar to follow England, but felt this week may finally bring the country the long desired glory
The Three Lions ahead of their winning penalty shoot out against Switzerland last night
'After seeing the way we handled the penalty drama last night , I have a sneaking suspicion that England may be about to do something that we have waited for a long time and that is to win a major tournament.'
The IT consultant added: 'Our football has been understated where I thought in Qatar we were a bit arrogant.
'But it would just be wonderful for the fans and for the country if we can win this tournament. It has been a long time coming.'
Marta added: ' I know the penalties were difficult for a lot of people, but I love the drama of them. I really enjoyed them especially Jude Bellingham's penalty where he showed his confident he is.'
Stephen Miller,37, an accountant from Huddersfield, said: ' I am with three friends and we've just been drinking most of the night. You could say the drinking has helped steady our nerves.
'I am in my 30s, but I think I aged into my 80s during the penalty shootout. You just don't know with England, but we buried our demons.
'There were people around me who turned their backs during the penalties, and I understood it. I don't think my heart will recover for ages, it hasn't really sunken that we won.'
Manchester United fan Peter Davidson, 57, revealed: 'I was behind the goal where are the penalties were taken.
Ivan Toney and Declan Rice celebrate England winning on penalties during the Euro 2024 quarter-final match against Switzerland at Dusseldorf Arena
'Jordan Pickford looked right into my eyes and pointed to his temple and was pulling faces and all that. It was a great moment. I think he did put their first penalty taker off and then he saved it.
'It was also great to see Gareth Southgate cheered by the fans when you think that they were throwing stuff at him before.
'I could see that he was really moved. It was his 100th game as well so it was a big night in many ways for the manager.'
Mandy Cox, 58, from Amersham added: 'I was particularly moved for Saka. When we had won on penalties and the team ran towards Pickford, I saw Saka go to his knees and put his head on the grass.
'It was obviously a great relief for him after all he has been through. I have been to every game so far, but I don't know if I will get a ticket for the semi-final.
' I am an official England supporter and I've got my tickets through the official ballot, but tonight might be a lottery. I'm just waiting for the email to tell me whether I've got a ticket or not.'
