In their own words – England fans respond to Euro 2020 semi-final

England fans watching the crucial Euro 2020 match against Denmark went through a range of emotions on Wednesday night.

They were given a lift when Denmark captain Simon Kjaer conceded an own goal on the stroke of half-time to send the two teams level.

The fans in Trafalgar Square were delighted and started chanting “Come on England” and “He’s coming home”.

One fan, Carl Afinwayo, 23, from Croydon, south London, told the PA news agency: “Oh my word, it’s crazy, we needed it – we had to equalise.

“Sterling had a great tournament too, he should be knighted.”

Charlotte Paddock, 29, an emergency planner watching the game at BOXPARK in Croydon, said: “It was amazing, Sterling will get a hat-trick.

“I was disappointed when the first goal went in and I played defensively, but it’s good and we’ll win it.”

Ms Paddock added that she originally came to London to go to the theater but abandoned her plan to watch the football.

Ryan Demeza, 22, a retail manager from Hastings, who is also watching in Croydon, said: “I’m absolutely delighted.

“The whole place erupted. We were feeling pretty bad, but now we’re going to win for sure.”

Emily Chetty, 30, a social worker from Lewisham, said: “We were a bit nervous when it happened but we got him back and we’re very happy now.

“We need (Aston Villa striker) Jack Grealish, bring him and we will win for sure.”

The atmosphere was electric at Waxy’s Little Sister in Leicester Square as England fans jumped, screamed and cheered with joy as the equalizer went in and England’s hopes were renewed.

Sam Yevko, 23, from Salisbury, said: “We’ve never lost confidence, we’re absolutely ecstatic after this goal.

“An own goal from the captain (Denmark Simon Kjaer) is all we needed just to turn things around, bring the second half.”

Just 10 minutes earlier, the hopes of England fans had been dashed.

Ricky Thompson, 29, a window fitter from Milton Keynes who was watching the match at Croydon’s BOXPARK, said he was “avoided” after Demark went over with a good free-kick.

“(England goalkeeper Jordan) Pickford should have saved that,” he said.

“And the referee shouldn’t have given a free-kick in the first place.

“I’m gutted, really gutted, but still confident. Come on England.”

English professional footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa has said he is not worried about the “old taboo” of penalty kicks.

“I’m confident going into the semi-final but I don’t want to think too much about it,” the Wycombe Wanderers forward told news agency PA at Croydon’s BOXPARK.

Asked about his concern about the penalties, he said: “It’s a new generation and I don’t think they have the old taboo on their shoulders.

“I think they’re young, fearless and will get the job done.

“We win the game”

Harrison Dee, 20, an apprentice control engineer from Stanford, Lincolnshire, was not hopeful for extra time after England failed to seal victory in 90 minutes.

“Nothing will happen in overtime; he never does, he’s boring and understanding and everyone’s always sitting thin,” he told news agency PA from BOXPARK Croydon.

“But when it comes to penalties it will be interesting and hopefully we will win it.”

And supporter Paul Richards, 56, who was watching the game in Trafalgar Square, said: “I hate it, I just want to hug someone, penalties are the worst.

“I really want to see a goal because extra time will send me over the line – I just want the boys to get over the line.

“I’m afraid of the penalties, I’d rather have my teeth pulled.”