'IT'S coming home' was the message ringing out around Weymouth after residents booked up pubs and bars to watch England earn their place in the Euro 2020 semi-final.
There were jubilant scenes across town as England thrashed Ukraine by four goals to nil on Saturday night in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Now pubs say people have been ringing 'non-stop' to book tables for Wednesday's semi-final against Denmark – as well as the final on Sunday.
There was a confidence throughout the town in the build up to the match on Saturday. People were picking scores from 1-0 to 5-0, with a few 2-1 and 3-1 one predictions peppered in also - but everyone seemed to be in agreement that England would be advancing to the semi-final on Wednesday.
Many venues had been booked up since England's second round win against Germany last Tuesday.
One woman claimed her and her family had tried more than ten pubs to see if there was space, but were unable to find anywhere and were trying to find a spot with good enough 4G signal to watch the game on a phone.
The anxiety and tension England fans have become so familiar with over the years was washed away within four minutes, and fans in venues across Weymouth were in a state of euphoria as Harry Kane found the back of the net.
This started the party atmosphere from the offset, and fans had reason to cheer again when a Harry Maguire header made it 2-0.
Just minutes later, England captain Kane followed up with his second of the evening making it 3-0 and putting the match beyond doubt in the eyes of most fans. A little more than ten minutes later the mission was complete as substitute Jordan Henderson headed home his first international goal to make it four.
Pubs landlords across Weymouth have been celebrated being able to be at full capacity (seating) with happy customers enjoying the football following 15 months of restrictions introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid restrictions remained in force for the match, with fans having to be seated at their table and restricted numbers were in place with no standing room available.
Shaun Honour, landlord at The Waterloo in Weymouth, said: "It was a packed house again and a great atmosphere. People were very excited and in good spirits.
"We had a good combination of tourists and regulars and everyone enjoyed themselves. It's fantastic to see the pub so busy, it's been a difficult period over the past 15 months and it's brilliant to see the pubs across town booked out and people enjoying themselves.
"We're fully booked for Wednesday already, I've just been inundated with phone calls even before England won the game - we already have bookings for the final on Sunday already as well.
"It's hard work for the staff, but they're working exceptionally hard and doing a great job."
He added: "I think this is our time this year, the team is playing some exceptional football and everything seems to be in our favour. If we don't do it this year we'll never do it."
Joe Sewell, general manager of the Gloucester, said: "It was a really great night, after the year that's everyone's had it was just so great to see people so happy and excited and just enjoying themselves.
"It's a bit disappointing that we have to turn so many people away as we can only allow seating, but sales were through the roof and it's great to have these days where there's a massive boost in trade as its been a hard year.
"We're already full for Wednesday and for the final on Sunday - people have been ringing up non-stop.
"It's a good exercise for us to get the team ready for the rest of the summer as well, it's as busy as it has been so far so it's good practice for them. "
In regards to England's chances in the tournament, he added: "I was sceptical before but I have a genuine belief now. There's some serious confidence in the camp and I think there's something about this year. I think it's coming home."
Natalie Leeks, landlady at the Golden Lion, said: "Everyone was really enjoying themselves - it was a really nice night and a great result.
"Everyone has been so respectful with the restrictions in place and everyone has been staying in their seats.
"People are going above and beyond to be patient - me and the staff enjoyed ourselves too even if we were a bit knackered by the end of the night.
"We have already taken a lot of bookings for Wednesday, I imagine we'll be fully booked very soon."
The victory sees the men's team reach their first European Championship semi-final for 25 years.
England needed to win at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to make it into the semi-final. The Three Lions now return to their home ground of Wembley on Wednesday to play Denmark and fans are confident going into the game.
One fan watching at the Golden Lion said: "I've been let down so many times before so I'm trying not to get carried away. But playing like we have I really believe this could be the year.
"This is the best chance we're ever going to have. All of the best teams are out of our side of the draw, there's not many left in general and we're playing our next two games at Wembley. If it's not this year it's never going to happen."
If they are able to win again, England will play either Spain or Italy in their first ever European Championship final on Sunday, July 11.
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