England fans spend thousands to get to Berlin in hope of witnessing ‘history’

England fans have paid thousands of pounds and traveled by plane, road and rail for the chance to watch ‘history’ at the Euro 2024 final.

On Saturday afternoon, some of the supporters who had made the trip to Berlin enjoyed a drink in Breitscheidplatz, which had been designated as a meeting point.

Alfie Bray, 21, a mechanical engineer from Birmingham, had flown from London to Frankfurt and taken the train to Berlin.

He and friend Callum Williams, 21, booked their trip to the city as soon as the second goal was scored in the semi-final.

He added: “We didn’t even get to celebrate the goal. As soon as the second one came in, on the phone immediately.”

He said he was “freaking out” the final and predicted a 5-0 win for England, but said “don’t ask” about the cost of the trip.

He told the PA news agency: “My ticket was about £850 and then flights, I paid £400 and obviously all the booze here.”

Martin Rafferty, 44, from Birmingham, said he and friends drove 15 hours to get to the city despite not having tickets for the final.

He said: “We will go to the fanzone to watch it.

“It could be a chance to make history tomorrow.”

Tony Rudd, 37, made a 26-hour journey to reach Berlin from his home in Darwin, Australia.

He said: “I made a last minute decision. I said “I’m going”.

He said he booked the trip, which cost around £4,500, hours before boarding and had yet to get tickets for the match.

Mr Rudd, originally from Wigan, Greater Manchester, said his family, including his children, thought he was “crazy” for making the trip.

He added: “I’m happy to be here. Hum.”

England fans Tommy Swift, 44, and nephew Michael Swift, 22, from Hartlepool, County Durham, said they traveled to Berlin by plane, train, tram, foot and scooter.

Tommy Swift said they booked the trip three weeks ago because they had confidence in the England team but didn’t have tickets for the match yet.

He said he was budgeting up to £2,000 for the tickets, saying: “We know what we have to pay.”

He added: “It may never happen again. I hope he finally comes home, I’ve waited a long time.”