England fans get on the beers as excitement ramps up ahead of Three Lions' Euros clash with Serbia - with supporters draped in red and white flags seen sinking pints
The World War Two chants come despite police warning: 'Don't be a d***!'Three Lions fans have also been singing positive new anthems for star players
Three Lions fans have been getting in the pints as excitement builds in the lead up to roaring England's Euro 2024 kick-off tonight against Serbia in Germany.
Supporters draped in red and white flags and adorned with England memorabilia have been massing in Germany and at home - although celebrations were marred somewhat by violence in Gelsenkirchen.
There have been united calls for peace amid fears that hooligan clashes could overshadow the match, and thousands of fans have travelled largely calmly to the German city this weekend.
But earlier shocking images emerged of several injured England fans with blood pouring down their faces after a violent brawl which saw hooliganism return to the Euros for the first time in several years.
Thousands of fans are now heading to the stadium in Gelsenkirchen ahead of the 8pm kickoff - with supporters also flooding to pubs across England on Sunday night.
Elsewhere, supporters are sinking pints and gathering around televisions in bars and at fan zones across the host nation.
England fans in the fan zone at Trabrennbahn, Gelsenkirchen, ahead of their match against Serbia
Supporters draped in red and white flags and adorned with England memorabilia have been massing in Germany and at home
An England fan from Shrewsbury, Shropshire poses in front of German riot police in the centre of Gelsenkirchen
Fans of all ages arrived at fan zones across Germany on Sunday ahead of the evening's match
Three Lions supporters got the beers in at bars across the German city today in the hours before the match
England supporters were seen downing pints as excitement and anticipation built on Sunday
England fans sport lion hats, face paint and scarves as they arrive to watch their team's opening match
A Serbian fan holds a flag excitedly as she waits for the beginning of the team's first group match
A young England fan waits excitedly next to large England flags at a fan zone
England fans arrive at Gelsenkirchen's stadium for the group stage clash, kicking off at 8pm
A Serbian fan sports a clown-style mask as he stands behind a riot police officer in Gelsenkirchen
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An English fan is seen on the ground after being attacked by rivals ahead of the game between Serbia and England
An English fan is seen with blood pouring from his head after being caught up in clashes today
One group of fans was seen throwing chairs at another, although it is unclear who started the violence
Two officers grapple with a fan after chasing attackers through the streets of Gelsenkirchen
Fans are hoping England can pull off a victory to begin what they hope will be a winning campaign, after the side made it to the final but lost out to Italy at the last hurdle at the 2020 Euros.
But some fans are facing trouble reaching the stadium with lengthy metro delays and packed public transport.
Sports writer Oliver Kay took to social media and branded the situation 'a total mess'.
It came after English fans clashed with Serbia supporters outside a bar in the centre of the city this afternoon.
Bottles, chairs and tables were all thrown with at least two England fans injured in shocking scenes.
It was initially reported that Albanian fans had targeted Serbs sitting outside a bar, but police later confirmed it was English fans that were involved.
A police source told MailOnline at least six people had been arrested, but it is believed the arrests were not of England fans.
Earlier, video footage emerged showing Three Lions fans chanting anthem 'Ten German bombers', despite pleas against doing so by police and the FA.
Yet many more fans have been good-humoured as they raised pints with fellow fans and German hosts, as well as those following this evening's Serbian opponents.
An estimated 40,000 England supporters are believed to have descended this weekend on Gelsenkirchen and neighbouring cities such as Dusseldorf and Cologne.
England fans arrive inside the stadium ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C football match between Serbia and England
An England fan dressed as a member of the Kings' Guards purchases beer at the Nordsternpark fan zone
Fans in fancy dress gear up for the England match just hours before the game is due to begin
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An estimated 40,000 England supporters are believed to have descended this weekend on Gelsenkirchen and neighbouring cities such as Dusseldorf and Cologne
An England supporter in a St George's cross suit was seen arm wrestling in Gelsenkirchen
Fans arriving in the German former mining city have been enjoying a booze-up before kick-off
Supporters have been turning out ahead of England's opening Group C match against Serbia
German police had issued a warning to England fans against singing war-related taunts, telling them: 'Don't be a d***!'
Tonight's game marks a return to Gelsenkirchen 18 years after Wayne Rooney saw red there as England crashed out of the World Cup yet again on penalties.
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Gloating masked Serbian thugs pose with 'stolen' England flags ahead of Three Lions clash
The Three Lions, managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson and captained by David Beckham, lost their World Cup quarter-final shoot-out to Portugal in June 2006.
Star striker Wayne Rooney was sent off for a stamp on opposing centre-back Ricardo Carvalho, with the England man's then-Manchester United clubmate Cristiano Ronaldo caught on camera winking after leading protests for a red card.
But optimism was the mood for many this weekend despite on ongoing wait for a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup - following defeats in the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup, the final at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
Crowds in Gelsenkirchen have been chanting a new song serenading one of the side's stars - to the tune of US rock star Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark.
Supporters have been filmed performing the tribute to Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden who was last month voted England's Footballer Of The Year.
The new song delivered in Euro 2024 host nation Germany, where England take on Serbia in Gelsenkirchen this evening, begins: 'Can't start a fire, can't start a fire without a spark.'
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Drinks were being enjoyed at an official UEFA Fan Zone in German city Gelsenkirchen today
Fans gathered at the central hub ahead of tonight's Group C clash between England and Serbia
Photos and video footage showed supporters enjoying their own kickabouts before kick-off
St George's cross flags displaying supporters' club allegiances have been put on display
'Here we go' - England supporters raise pints while modelling St George's cross hairpieces
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England supporters chant '10 German bombers' ahead of Sunday's match against Serbia in Germany
Fans go on to declare: 'Phil Foden's on fire - he'll be playing the Germans off the park.'
It follows fan anthems to the tune of hits by the likes of Atomic Kitten and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as England supporters adopting Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline.
England manager Gareth Southgate has encouraged supporters to enjoy their time in Germany.
Yet local police have labelled tonight's game 'high risk' following reports earlier last week of Serbian ultras making their way to the region.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed the Prince of Wales - president of the Football Associations - will join fans travelling to Frankfurt Arena on Thursday.
That evening England will take on Denmark, who they beat in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and who feature Premier League players including Manchester United's Christian Eriksen and Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Stay-at-home fans will down an estimated 30million pints in pubs and in their homes for tonight's opening confrontation with Serbia - with an audience of about 17million expected to tune in the BBC One's coverage.
England's 35,000 pubs are braced for 'Super Sunday', with more than 14million pints expected to be sold - and another 16million tucked into at home.
England fans are seen pre-match in Gelsenkirchen's Heinrich-Konig-Platz earlier today
Three Lions backers teamed up in enthusiasm at the official UEFA Fan Zone in Gelsenkirchen
Hopes are high for better than England's 2006 World Cup defeat to Portugal in Gelsenkirchen
Supporters were seen wearing replica England kits from previous major tournaments
England-themed sunglasses as well as football kits and beanie hats are being sported
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'Phil Foden's on fire - he'll be playing the Germans off the park': England fans' hilarious new song
There has also been a supermarket rush on beer, pizzas, burgers, St George's flags and even TVs - with analysts suggesting as much as £150million could be spent on Euros-fuelled food and drink.
About 10,000 England fans have tickets for tonight's match at the Arena AufSchalke, but another 30,000 are expected in the former mining city.
There have been concerns 500 Serb hooligans from hooligan firms called Headhunters and Gravediggers are plotting to ambush Three Lions supporters.
The 'stolen' flag photos were shared by accounts including one called Hooligans.cz Official - though have faced criticism and mockery in response.
One poster replied by saying: 'Imagine finding a flag, taking it and then posing with it upside down.'
Yet a Serbian supporter approved, writing: 'We are going to lose on the pitch but off the pitch we are winning.'
Other Serbian fans who are out in Germany have played down any trouble risks and told how they come in peace, saying: 'We're here for the football just like you.'
Nikola Markovic, 38, who flew in to Germany last night, told MailOnline: 'Serbian people are not violent like the German police have said and how it's been reported in the media.
'The game against England is a very high risk match according to the police here but I don't see why.
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A Serbia fan is pictured giving a 'V for victory' salute in Gelsenkirchen ahead of the match
Serbian fans have united with England counterparts in urging peaceful scenes
St George's cross outfit-clad England fan Terry Rose has been a prominent pre-match figure
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Bullish England fans sing 'Sweet Caroline' in boozy scenes ahead of clash with Serbia TODAY
'The ultras don't follow the national team - they've never done. They would rather fight each other than the English, club teams in Serbia hate their local rivals.
'We've come here for the football just like you. We want to enjoy watching our country in a big tournament like everyone else.
'It's a shame we can't watch the match with England fans because we're being kept apart in different fan zones. It's an over-reaction, I believe.
'I hope it's a good game. I think it'll be a 1-1 draw tonight.'
Miroslav Romandic, who was wearing a Serbian shirt, said: 'I don't think there will be any trouble between Serbians and the English.
'We have been mixing with the English and drinking beer with them and it has all been very friendly.'
England supporter Alan Tallis, 65, originally from York but who has been living in Germany for the last 45 years, is going to the game with German wife Christa.
He said: 'There's been a buzz of excitement in Germany about the tournament, the Germans are very confident in their team.
'The authorities over here have been worrying about the threat of violence at this game given the history of both sets of supporters.
UEFA's Fan Zone in Gelsenkirchen has official symbols while England fans brought their own
England supporters have been exuberant ahead of Gareth Southgate's side taking the field
Terry Rose is pictured in Gelsenkirchen's Heinrich-Kong-Platz amid pre-match preparations
Fans have described a 'buzz of excitement' in the hours before England's Euro 2024 begins
'There were a load of Serbian fans at my hotel this morning having breakfast. They looked like ultras, big lads and all dressed in black. But I had a chat with them and they were friendly enough.
'Whether they still remain friendly a bit later remains to be seen…they didn't look as though they've come here for a round of golf.
'I wouldn't mess with them but to be honest they may look more fearsome than they actually are.
'Hopefully there's no provocation from any England fans and vice versa. It should just be all about the football.'