England fans on the Spanish party island of Magaluf knocked back the shots ahead of the Three Lions’ Euros opener – as police warned of a zero-tolerance crack down on troublemakers.
Hundreds of supporters descended on bars and clubs for the crunch encounter with Serbia, drunk with optimism, arriving hours before kick-off with plans to party until dawn regardless of the return.
Olly Elsworthy, 25, showed his support for Gareth Southgate by getting a pre-match tattoo of the iconic Lightning Seeds chorus.
The amateur footballer, part of a squad of 20 who flew to Majorca this morning from Devon, said: ‘I’m getting ”It’s Coming Home’ on my leg. As long as the trophy comes home, it doesn’t matter.’
Pointing to tattoos of Finding Nemo and F1 star Lewis Hamilton already etched on his body, Ollie, from Tiverton, added: ‘And if we don’t – well, I’ve already got some s*** tattoos already.’
Spanish police, meanwhile, are taking a no-nonsense approach to rowdy Brits in ahead the fixture, rolling out drones and calling on extra officers to keep the peace in busy beer gardens.
Oliver Elesworthy gets ‘It’s coming home’ tattooed on his leg in Magaluf, Majorca on June 16
![Ollie, from Tiverton, said: 'And if we don't [win] I've already got some s*** tattoos already'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/16/19/86190179-0-image-a-46_1718562993067.jpg)
Ollie, from Tiverton, said: ‘And if we don’t [win] I’ve already got some s*** tattoos already’
Players from a local club in Devon. English football fans in Magaluf, Majorca, Spain on June 16
England fans get tattooed on June 16 ahead of the clash against Serbia
The Bickleigh Buzzards football team, all clad in England shirts, sunk shots and pints from 12.30pm before shelling out €100 to bag VIP seats to watch the game.
Others followed Spurs fan Ollie suit in getting quick €60 tattoos – with one getting his hotel room number inked in Roman numerals on his calf.
Hayden Nutt, 20, opted for the number 95 – a reference to the car driven by Lightning McQueen in the animated Pixar movie, Cars.
Magaluf is bracing itself for a night of carnage following the blockbuster clash with Serbia.
A plan codenamed Operation High Impact Zulu Bravo has been put in place in anticipation of drunken enthusiasm overspilling, with British officers also drafted in to help the Guardia Civil and local police with any trouble.
But before kick-off, sunny Magaluf was in raucous good spirits as England fans geared up for the game. Fans gathered to watch the game in The Square, near to the infamous strip, where huge TV screens have been installed.
Ryan Clark, 19, from Farnborough, Hants, said: ‘I think we will absolutely batter them, 6-0.’
Pals Liam Biek, 17, and Oliver Cooney, 17, from Glasgow wore rival Scotland and England shirts ahead of the game.
Oliver, who’s half-English, hoped for bragging rights after the Tartan Army were subjected to a 5-1 German thumping.
He said: ‘England are definitely going to win and Bellingham is going to score. Then we’re going to celebrate and be out til 4am or 5am.
‘I don’t want to see Scotland do badly – but if they were to play each other, I’d support England.’
And England fan Scott, 41, proudly showed off a huge tattoo on his back of St George and the Three Lions, which declared: ‘British by Birth. English by the Grace of God.’
Scott, from Blackpool, said: ‘I’ve only come here for the football, that’s it. My missus left me the other [day] so I came here with my mate. I’m here for the game and then I’m going back on Monday.
‘It’s an old tattoo but I’ve got no regrets about it. I love it!’
Players from a local club in Devon enjoy a drink before the game
Magaluf was in raucous good spirits as England fans geared up for the game on June 16
Police have taken extra precautions to ensure revellers don’t get carried away on the night
Pals Liam Biek (right), 17, and Oliver Cooney (left), 17, from Glasgow wore rival Scotland and England shirts ahead of the game
Simon Yates, 44, (R) and Liam Yates, 23, will be travelling home to Bolton while the match is on
As supporters belted out Atomic Kitten’s reworked hit Whole Again to salute boss Gareth Southgate, others scored own goals – by booking return flights to the UK which clashed with kick-off.
Wearing the national shirt, Connor Gudgeon, 20, from Hoddesdon, Herts, said: ‘I’ve had an a nightmare.
‘When I booked the trip a month ago I didn’t think about the England game.
‘The two-hour flight is literally when the game is on.
‘When we land I’ll be straight on the phone praying for an England win.’
The same misfortune befell 14 mates travelling back to Bolton, Greater Manchester including father and son, Simon and Liam Yates, 23.
Manchester United fan Simon, 44, said: ‘It’s going to be bouncing in Magaluf tonight if England win but we’re on the flight. We’re wounded.
‘We get picked up when the game starts so hopefully I can watch at least some of it on my phone.’
Also hopeful of an England win was Magaluf kebab-seller Wasim Akram, 35.
Donning an England shirt, he said: ‘They’re the best customers. We love the English.
‘We’ll sell hundreds of kebabs tonight if England win – it’ll be a fun night.’
The mayhem in Magaluf is set to eclipse the carnage following Scotland’s Euro drubbing on Friday.
Hundreds of Scottish footie fanatics downed their sorrows after Steve Clarke’s underwhelming side were comprehensively trounced.
Scenes of drunken debauchery erupted as holidaymakers partied until dawn – with some unable to last the pace collapsing on sun loungers.
Spain’s Balearic Island’s – which include Ibiza and Menorca – have vowed to crack down on booze-riddled getaways amid protests from locals fed-up of mass tourism.
Officials have hiking up fines for drinking in the street, taking off clothing and have banned shops from selling alcohol at night.
Partygoers now face penalties of between €500 and €1,500 (£430 and £1,290) if their street drinking ‘disrupts coexistence’.
Football fans playing at the beach in Magaluf ahead of the fixture with Serbia
Ryan Clark, 19 (L) and Cameron Telford, 16. Ryan said he was sure England would ‘batter’ Serbia 6-0
Connor Gudgeon, 20, is reeling after realising he book to fly home when the game is on
The Bickleigh Buzzards football team, all clad in England shirts, sunk shots and pints from 12.30pm before shelling out €100 to bag VIP seats to watch the game.
Wasim Akram, 35, expects to sell hundreds of kebabs if England win tonight
Before England kick-off Calvia Council warned tourists to expect a heavy presence.
A spokesperson said: ‘Local police will intensify their efforts to guarantee the safety of tourists and residents the days of key matches, such as those that involve teams like England.
‘We have established strict regulations for the installation of TV screens inside and outside public establishments.
‘Those regulations include the obligation to obtain a licence to initiate and exercise activity, as well as the obligation to present documentation on the sound level limiter, if applicable.’
The council spokesman added: ‘Those responsible for establishments with open-air areas have an obligation to adequately manage the noise levels while they’re open for business.
‘Screens and TVs should be facing the inside of those establishments to avoid crowding in public spaces that can interfere with pedestrian and other traffic.’