England World Cup fever: Pubs in UK face 'busiest night of the year' as Brits to down extra 10 million pints during semi-final clash with Croatia

Millions will descend on pubs and beer gardens to watch the clash tonight
REUTERS
Ella Wills11 July 2018

The UK's pubs are facing their "busiest night of the year" as the Three Lions prepare to face Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals, trade bodies have warned.

Millions of hopeful supporters are due to descend on pubs, bars and beer gardens across the nation to cheer on Gareth Southgate's men in Moscow from 7pm.

And Brits will down 10 million extra pints during the crunch match, the British Beer and Pub Association said.

Pubs have been working to make sure they are sufficiently stocked with booze in anticipation for a mass exodus of workers from offices to the bar this afternoon.

England fans in Red Square ahead of the World Cup semi-final
PA

The strike could mean travel chaos for fans heading home after the game as TfL has urged passengers to complete journeys by 10pm.

England and Croatia will face-off in the Luzhiniki Stadium for a place in the final against France on Sunday.

The match marks the first time an England team have made it this far in the tournament since Paul Gascoigne and his teammates took on Germany in 1990.

The Three Lions' only World Cup victory came 52 years ago.

Roads are set to be deserted as supporters crowd into pubs, in front of big screens or rush home to cheer the team.

Fans will down 10 million extra pints during the semi-final
Reuters

Thousands have flown to Russia to support the squad while 30,000 have secured tickets to watch the game in Hyde Park for the biggest public screening of a football match in 22 years.

Pubs in London and the UK have been packed with fans for England's games throughout the tournament, but trade bodies are expecting tonight to be the busiest yet.

Neil Walker, spokesman for the Society of Independent Brewers, told the Standard: "Tonight is likely to be the busiest week night of the year for publicans thanks to the heroics of the England team."

England fans celebrate World Cup quarter-final victory

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He added: "SIBA's independent craft brewing members have been working hard to make sure the nation's pubs are stocked with fantastic beer."

Meanwhile the BBPA has predicted that 10 million extra pints will be served during the match, representing a boost to the economy of up to £30 million.

Some 30 million extra pints have been sold from all of England’s World Cup matches so far, it said.

Harry Kane and his team are hoping for victory 
REUTERS

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: "It’s fantastic news for both English football and the Great British pub!"

England fans began to invade Moscow last night ahead of the face-off.

Around 10,000 were expected to arrive in the Russian capital as part of a last minute dash to get behind the team.

Supporters were pictured proudly flying the England flag around the Red Square in Moscow on Tuesday evening.

At home, World Cup fever is gripping the nation as fans begin to count down the hours until the semi-final.

The petition, posted on the government's website, said that if the Three Lions are triumphant, the country should be given the Monday off work as the next day "will not be pleasant for all fans."

Massive celebrations have followed England's wins so far, with Saturday's victory over Sweden sparking hysteria among fans across the nation.

In Pictures | England 2018 World Cup Training | 10.07.18

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Videos shared online saw huge crowds flood the streets as boozy supporters celebrated the victory.

Footage from Clapham, south London, showed a fan plunge through a glass bus stop roof after leaping from the top of a double-decker bus.

In one video, a car was seen with a smashed roof and windscreen in Nottingham.

While a crowd of supporters were also filmed rushing into an Ikea in Stratford, east London, dancing on the furniture and kicking items around.

TfL Tube drivers are expected to walkout from 9pm on Wednesday.

Should the strike go ahead, there will be no service on the Piccadilly line from 11pm tonight until the morning of Saturday, July 14.

Football fans have been urged to complete journeys by 10pm, and other stations will be busier than usual, TfL said.

Coverage of England v Croatia will be broadcast on ITV from 6pm.

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