As the Euro 2024 final approached, England supporters converged on Liverpool city centre, hoping to soak up the vibrant atmosphere you’d expect from such a grand football occasion. However, many were left defeated before a ball was even kicked.
The wave of excitement that swept across fans as they ventured into Liverpool for the face-off between England and Spain felt somewhat hampered. Comparisons were made with showpiece domestic events, as supporters recalled the euphoria and bustling locales during historic finals involving Liverpool FC – like the Champions League or FA Cup.
For the Euro 2024 final, however, they found a somewhat sedate scene, which surprised quite a few. Emily Smith, 22, initially from Macclesfield, made her observations clear to the ECHO, confessing: “I expected it to be a bit busier, some places are pretty empty.”
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Equally shocked, Rhys Thomas, 22, journeying all the way from Jersey, offered his opinion, stating: “It’s not too busy, I thought it would be really hectic. But it’s not dead, it’s still lively.”
Dominating the mood, the term “terrible” got thrown around by some fans, with one, Tom from Chester, venting: “This is terrible compared to a Champions League final, you wouldn’t be able to move here if it was a Champions League game.”
At the heart of proceedings, Luke Wharton, a 32 year old bartender working at Slater Street’s Butter, wasn’t totally taken aback with the underwhelming atmosphere. Sharing his thoughts right before kick-off, he mused: “I’m not surprised it’s dead because a lot of people are staying at home having BBQs and stuff.”
While the city center may have been quieter than anticipated, hundreds of fans flocked to BOXPARK in the Baltic Triangle. Images captured the jubilant England supporters crowding into the venue, which has been a huge hit throughout the tournament.
Liverpool.com says: It would be interesting to see to what extent this story is replicated in other major cities around the UK. Is it anything to do with the occasionally ambivalent attitude to the England team from some within the city? Or is it just that people are watching from home at private functions?
Perhaps a slight mixture of the two, although leaning towards the latter. Still, it’s good news for those who could get seated in the city center far more comfortably than expected.
This article was created with the help of AI tools.