At least pubs did well

Fans shattered but beer-tuelled parties bring 48m hospitality boost

-  Robert Kellaway

ENGLAND fans descended on bars, pubs and fan zones across the country last night hoping for the biggest football party since 1966.

Fan zones in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol were packed from Sunday lunchtime as supporters soaked up the atmosphere for the Euro 2024 final.

And there was a mood of keen anticipation before kick-off, with dreams of replicating England's World Cup heroics 58 years ago.

Some 15,000 headed to the O2 after a ballot for free tickets to watch the game on a 16-metre screen at the north Greenwich venue in South East London.

Outside the arena, choruses of Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline and Blur's Parklife rang out as supporters shared in the build-up and posed for photos.