Euro 2020 final: fans gather for Italy v England as excitement builds - in pictures


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England fans were certainly getting in the mood for the Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley Stadium.

Hours before kick-off on Sunday, hundreds of supporters were getting the party started as the Three Lions bid for a first major trophy in 55 years.

Gareth Southgate's side have sent the nation into a frenzy by reaching their first European Championships final, leaving them one win away from a first major title since the 1966 World Cup.

Along with 65,000 fans inside Wembley Stadium, millions across England and around the world will be glued to the final on television, with some schools and businesses set to open later on Monday to allow a lie-in after the 8pm kick-off local time.

Hours before the game, supporters draped in red and white flags congregated along the famous approach to the stadium chanting England anthems as excitement builds.

On the eve of the final, Southgate's squad received messages of support from Queen Elizabeth II, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and even Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.

"It's been fantastic to have the letter from the Queen, the letter from the Prime Minister to all of the team. The recognition that the players and all of the staff have gone around this in the right way," Southgate said.

"We had a fantastic reception when we left St George's Park. All the local villages had come out to line the route and people pulled up so you got an idea of what was going on outside the bubble that we've been in.

"The players need to feel that warmth and support. It has definitely helped inspire us. We're in a final and we are here to win.

"Now we want to go and bring the trophy home for everybody."

Stage result

1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34

2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe

3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers

4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco

5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo

6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ

7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team

8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma

9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux

10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?

Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
 

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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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Updated: July 11, 2021, 12:43 PM