Keep them crossed!
England goes St George crazy as World Cup fever hits with 30million viewers expected to neck 18m pints during historic Croatia clash
ENGLAND has gone St George crazy ahead of the country's biggest football match in 28 years.
Ahead of tonight's World Cup semi-final match against Croatia, fans have displayed the England flag in a car scrapyard, on a mini roundabout, in the skies - and even on a herd of sheep.
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Scrap metal yard shows support for England team by creating a giant St George's flag out of 176 red and white cars
As World Cup fever gripped the nation, patriotic Three Lions supporters showed their colours in a variety of ingenious ways.
Workers at Hills Salvage and Recycling in Skelmersdale, in Lancashire, created a huge flag from 176 red and white cars lined up in their yard.
England fans even unfurled the flag in mid-air as Katie Hobbs, 24, and Kirsten Pobjoy, 20 – wingwalkers who perform stunts on biplanes – flew the cross of St George over the Cotswolds.
In Wiltshire, the White Horse landmark in Westbury was turned into a giant St George’s cross using long strips of red ribbon, but they were removed just a few hours later following complaints by England Heritage.
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An England flag was installed on the News Building, The Sun's HQ in the shadow of the Shard while a road junction and mini roundabout in Southampton was even given a patriotic makeover.
Elsewhere today, England fans both home and abroad have donned a Gareth Southgate style waistcoat today in tribute to the boss' signature outfit.
Official tailors Marks & Spencer revealed they've nearly run out of the £65 garment thanks to the "Southgate effect".
But the England manager has played down his role as a fashion trend setter.
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ENGLAND V CROATIA (IN NUMBERS)
£555million – Amount the semi-final clash will trigger in consumer spending as fans stock up on food, drink and memorabilia
30million - Number of Brits expected to watch tonight’s semi-final clash
18million - Pints that will be drunk during the game
30,000 – Supporters will watch the match on a giant screen in Hyde Park, the largest public viewing of a football game in England since Euro 1996
7,000 – England fans expected in Moscow for tonight’s match
25.7 – Average age of the current England squad
2 - matches between England and a first World Cup win in 52 years
He said: "I was not a renowned fashion icon through my playing career, so it's rather strange to be one now.
“We’re really proud of the support we’re receiving. Our country has had a long time of suffering in terms of football."
Ahead of tonight's match Prince William issued a rallying cry, saying: "Come on England – it’s coming home!”
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Piers Morgan and Susanne Reid, along with co-stars Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Arnold, all wore a waistcoat on Good Morning Britain to show their support for the Three Lions.
Morgan wore a white waistcoat with a red cross, depicting the England flag, while the other hosts opted for blue and grey garments.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole also shared his support for the team who saw off Sweden 2-0 in the quarter-final and Colombia on penalties in the last 16.
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The New Zealand dancer, who has lived in England for years with wife Zoe Hobbs, shared pictures of himself wearing a variety of waistcoats on Instagram.
He wrote: "COME ON ENGLAND! I've been supporting England for years according to these waistcoated photos! #waistcoatwednesday #garethsouthgate #comeonengland."
US-based former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright shared his excitement over the game after a night's sleep.
The presenter tweeted: "Bed time for me now. I'll be up in 6 hours ready to start the party over here !! Come on @England pray people pray !! #ITSCOMINGHOME."
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Derbyshire school forms huge human England flag to sing amazing rendition of Three Lions
In Russia, England Supporters band drummer Steve Holmes, from Sheffield, was dressed in a Southgate-style waistcoat.
He said: “The fit is a little snug but I’ll look likely a proper gent as we sail into the World Cup final.
“Gareth is our hero and if we all have his style, we’ll go all the way and bring it home.”
Martyn Olds, 63, who runs a cardboard box firm in Bristol said: “I love this new Southgate look and I’ll be dressed to the nines at the game.
“Southgate has been nothing short of a genius after we suffered so long under idiots like McClaren, Capello and Hodgson.
“Gareth not only looks smart, he thinks smart and that’s why we’re going to win the World Cup.”
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Dad takes son out of school to fly to Moscow for England World Cup 2018 semi-final
Retired HR consultant Stuart Mackenzie, 67, from London said: “I’ve never felt smarter - it’s how a true English gentleman should look at a football match.
“This World Cup has been an incredible experience and just keeps getting better and better. And now we look the part as well!”
England have reached the semi-finals at the World Cup for the first time since 1990, and confidence among supporters is growing that Southgate's side can lift the trophy for the first time in 52 years.
Southgate said: "We've had the chance to make a difference. Our supporters, our country has had a long time of suffering in terms of football, and the enthusiasm they have for these players, because of the way they've not only the way they've played, but the way they're conducted themselves, they've been brilliant ambassadors for our country, and I think everybody can see that they're proud to wear the shirt."
Up to 30 million people will tune in to watch England take on Croatia in tonight's crunch game and the country's 40,000 pubs will be packed.
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The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) predicts ten million extra pints will be served during the match, delivering a boost to the national economy of up to £30million.
As in previous games, thousands of fans will watch the game on big screens across the country including in Hyde Park, London and venues in Manchester, Bristol and Liverpool.
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Kevin Miles of the Football Supporters Federation expects between 5,000 and 7,000 fans for tonight’s clash against Croatia, but admits "a lot of people are doing it last minute, so it's very difficult to put numbers on it."
Airlines have offered extra places on flights to Moscow and some Russians have sold their tickets after their team lost to Croatia.
Many have turned to the black market to try and secure tickets for England's first semi-final in 28 years.
If England win, they will play in Sunday's World Cup final against France.
50,000 BEERS IN THE AIR
FANS will throw an estimated 50,000 pints in the air for each goal England get tonight.
The British Beer and Pub Association made the claim after watching the BBC’s footage of fans celebrating Saturday’s two quarter-final goals against Sweden.
Up to 20 million pints are expected to be sold during tonight’s clash.