The Euro 2024 trophy is within grasping distance, and England fans are here for it.
Football final fever has gripped Berlin, with an outpouring of positive vibes for the Three Lions.
“Come on England! Lamine Yamal, he’s going to get locked up,” two young brothers tell me.
Near the Brandenburg Gate fans carry or hang their flags.
Euro 2024 latest: Harry Kane says team will play with extra ‘hunger’
“You meet people from everywhere, from all walks of life, it’s what it’s all about, it’s amazing,” says Ethan, who has travelled from Hertfordshire with friends Kevin and Joe.
The final is the hottest ticket in town, and they’re lucky enough to have secured seats in the stadium.
Prices are now rocketing, with many telling us they’ve paid £1,500 or £2,000 per person.
It cost Ryhan and his cousin Zane around £14,000 for four of them to get here.
“I’m 38 years old, I’ve been following them [England] since 1996,” Ryhan says.
“My first memory broke my heart. I’ve just been desperate for England to win something ever since. It means so much to me and the family. Hopefully they bring it home on Sunday.”
‘The opportunity came to drive there, so we took it’
While some airlines have put on extra flights, many are sold out or too expensive, so some people like Ryan, Jordan and Ashley have decided to drive.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Leaving Stoke at 1am, they have travelled more than 800 miles by road and sea from Stoke to Berlin.
“I didn’t want to miss England, I missed them a few years ago when they were playing in London and I regretted missing them. The opportunity came to drive there, so we took it,” Ryan says.
‘We just want to get behind them’
Dale Parry and his seven mates from Bury jumped in their camper van at Friday lunchtime.
On the side is a huge photo of Kieran Trippier, who they’ve come to show their support for.
“He’s just a local lad from the area, we just want to get behind him,” says Jordan Brown.
Read more:
What’s changing for Euro 2024 final?
Prince William to watch Euro 2024 final
In the north of the city, one campsite has become a makeshift base camp for the England faithful.
St George’s crosses cover the windows of lines of vans.
‘It will be a memory you’ll talk about in years and years to come’
Some have been in Germany for three weeks.
Donna Naylor and her daughter Zara don’t have tickets for the final, but even watching from the fanzone is a dream come true.
“It will be a memory you’ll talk about in years and years to come,” Donna says.
“Having your children with you; my dad and uncle. Just all being here together. We are a family making memories.”
Everywhere you turn, someone has a different story about how they’ve got here.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Whether it’s the two men from the Midlands who cycled from Amsterdam or the family who have come via Poland, England fans are doing whatever it takes to watch their team hopefully make history.
And while they know the competition from Spain will be tough, they’re determined this is England’s year.
