In a moment that reminded us all of the unpredictability of life, England’s goalscoring hero Bukayo Saka found himself crashing back to earth after tripping over a golf bag. The incident occurred at the team’s headquarters, where Saka had just hit a fine shot that earned him wild applause from his teammates. However, the laughter soon followed as he stumbled and took a tumble. England shared the footage online, captioning it as “From hero to zero” and humorously adding “Never change.”
While Saka may have experienced a minor mishap off the pitch, the excitement surrounding the England team continues to grow as they prepare for their semi-final match against the Netherlands. In what is being dubbed as the Dortmund Dash, around 30,000 England fans are making their way to Germany for the highly anticipated game. This influx of supporters has led to a surge in ticket, hotel, and travel prices as fans flock to the host city.
The scale of this invasion is expected to outdo the rush seen during Italia ’90, a tournament that holds a special place in English football history. Thousands of fans are embarking on plane, car, and camper van trips, with Ryanair and BA expected to lay on extra flights to accommodate the demand. Additionally, there are 750-mile round-trips by ferry and road already underway. However, memories of Italia ’90 also serve as a reminder that luck plays a significant role in football. Back then, thousands of fans raced to Turin in hopes of witnessing an English victory, only to be left devastated when England crashed out of the World Cup on penalties against Germany.
In contrast to the limited number of fans who traveled to Russia for England’s 2018 World Cup semi-final due to visa and security concerns, the demand for tickets for Wednesday’s match is incredibly high. Prices have skyrocketed, with some tickets being sold for as much as £25,376-a-pair. This surge in prices has led to touts and resale websites cashing in on the fervor surrounding the game.
If Gareth Southgate’s team emerges victorious, England will be officially allocated just 10,000 tickets for the final on Sunday at Berlin’s 71,000-capacity Olympiastadion. This limited availability will undoubtedly intensify the competition for tickets and add to the sense of excitement and anticipation among fans.
Despite the pressures and high stakes, England star Bukayo Saka remains in good spirits. In a recent interview after scoring a crucial penalty in the shootout against Switzerland, Saka couldn’t hide his smile. His positive attitude and determination are emblematic of the team’s spirit as they continue their quest for Euro 2024 glory.
As England’s journey in the tournament progresses, fans eagerly await each match, hoping for a continuation of the team’s success. The Dortmund Dash is just another chapter in the story of England’s Euro 2024 campaign, filled with highs, lows, and unexpected moments like Saka’s golf bag blunder. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: the passion and support of the fans will never waver as they stand firmly behind their team.