ROMSEY residents were out in force supporting England in the final of the Euros.
The Three Lions got into the final after beating the Netherlands on Wednesday, July 10, facing off against Spain in the last match on Sunday, July 14.
Dozens of people across Hampshire went out to the pub to watch the last match of the tournament and cheer on England.
The Three Tuns, in Middlebridge Street, was so busy with football fans that it had to seat people outside as well.
General manager Rob Payne told the Advertiser: “Sunday is normally busy for us, but it's doubled today. We don’t really have the space to accommodate everyone inside, so we’ve spread outside as well. We have a lot of people here, it is going to be fun.”
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When asked about the football, Rob said: “We’ve surpassed our hopes and got this far!
“It is good for business. It has increased our turnovers by double the amount.”
Sully Jones had come out to watch the football with his friends. He said: “We’re on the edge of our seats really. I feel like the team has really progressed and grown through the matches; they have worked their way into it.
“I’ll be happy if we win!”
Things were quiet during the first half, with neither team scoring despite some near misses.
James Jay had travelled from Ashfield to the Three Tuns to watch the football with his son and his friends.
He said: “I think both teams have been playing very well. Spain have kept possession, but England has done well to limit their choices. I would like to see Oliver Watkins come on in the second half.
“We were down here at 6.30pm and wanted to be here for the game. This is our local pub, we wanted to enjoy the atmosphere down here with my son and his friends.”
Claire Doucth said she was “nervous, excited and very hopeful” about England’s chances in the finals.
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She said: “People have been saying that Spain has been the best team in the tournament, but I am sure we are going to win.
“I have been quite amazed at how we’ve done really, but I’m happy to see it, it’s great for the country and the atmosphere. I came down here to watch it at 5.30pm. We are always here on a Sunday, but we thought we would come down a bit later, have a few drinks and watch the football.”
Spirits remained high within the pub during the second half, even as Spain scored an early goal. England soon equalised, with the crowd erupting into cheers.
However, a late goal in the 86th minute by Spain saw the hopes of England fans dashed.
Andy Wood, who had travelled from Rhode Island in the USA to watch the match with friends, said he was especially disappointed in the result.
He said: “I’m devastated. I came all the way from America for this. It is a long way to come for sadness.”
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