Up to 40,000 Three Lions supporters brought a festival feel to the German city but were left cold by a dour draw
hey came in their tens of thousands, under the watchful eye of the summer sun. They crammed into the silver sausages of Cologne’s trams, they formed a flotilla of Lime e‑scooters. They wobbled on hire bikes, they walked, they wound the windows down on their Ubers and sang of Phil Foden.
The beauty of Cologne Stadium is that it has a park right outside it, or at least a series of empty training pitches, and from as long as four hours before kick-off people were sitting on the grass, taking a breather and letting the world pass by for a moment. Standing on the edge of the square were Ilan and Mark, from London and veterans of previous England tours. For Ilan the football was more important, for Mark it was the experience. “It’s about seeing so many people from so many different countries coming together, no trouble, and everyone having fun,” he said, albeit without a smile.
England fans don’t think monolithically, even if the behaviour of the crowd, like the boos that rang around the stadium at full time afterA block further away from the square, relaxing in the shade of some venerable sycamore trees, were four young friends from south London – Frank, Harry, Jack and Fred – out on their second trip with England. “Last time we slept in cars and stuff, this time we’re in a hostel, so it’s easier,” Frank said.
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