03 December 2023 , 19:16
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Revved-up England fans will set their satnavs for Germany after landing the “perfect” Euros draw, with the venues for their matches about as close as they could be.
The Three Lions will play Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16 and Slovenia in Cologne on June 25 next year. Both cities are a four-hour drive from Calais, while their June 20 Group C clash with Denmark is a further two hours along the autobahn in Frankfurt.
Nurse Sally Starkey, of Lincolnshire, said: “It’s great they are so close to the Channel. I’m sure a huge convoy of cars and coaches will head across the Channel for the games. I can see huge numbers of fans driving over just to be part of the tournament, even if they don’t get tickets.”
Scotland ’s Tartan Army will also travel over for the opener against the host nation in Munich on June 14, before further Group A clashes with Switzerland in Cologne on June 19 and Hungary in Stuttgart on June 23. If Wales qualify, they will face the Netherlands in Hamburg on June 16, then Austria in Berlin on June 21 and France in Dortmund on June 25.
Fans are already looking at booking hotels and campsites. Neal Weekes, 58, of Greenwich, South-east London, and pal Fil Sollof, 58, of Loughton, Essex, went to 15 games at last year’s Qatar World Cup. Neal, an auctioneer, said: “It’s is the perfect draw for England fans. It’s easier and quicker to get from Calais to Cologne than it is to get from London to Newcastle.”
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Fil said: “The ferry companies and Eurotunnel will be rubbing their hands. I can see 30,000 England fans in some cities. A drive of just 250 miles from Calais is a dream come true.” England, who will look to goals from the likes of Jude Bellingham, are 7/2 to win the tournament .
Scotland, at 75/1, will look to Liverpool ’s Andrew Robertson for inspiration. Wales, captained by Aaron Ramsey, are 500/1 to win the Euros and still face the qualifying play-offs. The hosts have unveiled the tournament’s mascot, Albart, a teddy bear.