- Captain Steven Gerrard vows to end penalty 'hoodoo'
- Italian newspaper claims its WAGs are 'more beautiful and famous'
By Russell Myers and Anthony Bond
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Supermarkets up and down the country are running out of alcohol this evening as millions of fans prepare to watch England take on Italy in the Euro 2012 quarter-final.
More than 10,000 England fans have spent the day pouring into Kiev for tonight's crucial game.
But as these pictures show, the many millions of England fans back home are also in celebratory mood as they prepare to enjoy the match.
Empty: Fans preparing to settle down ahead of tonight's match have emptied the shelves of beers at this Tesco store in Bristol
Fun: Many people up and down the country will hold parties tonight as they hope to see England progress to the semi-finals
Celebration: More than 10,000 England fans have spent the day pouring into Kiev for tonights crucial game
Passion: England fans sing and chant in Kiev's fan zone this afternoon
Fans have flocked in their droves to one Tesco store in Bristol, with its normally packed shelves completely emptied of beers.
Bookmakers have admitted the outcome of tonight's game is too close to call, with both teams given odds of 9-5 to emerge victorious - with the haunting prospect of a penalty shoot-out looming large.
While much of the feverish pre-match build-up in Kiev focused on the showdown between star strikers Wayne Rooney and Mario Balotelli, no one was forgetting the pressure on the goalkeepers should the match be a draw after extra-time.
Last night England captain Steven Gerrard sought to rally the troops, praising goalkeeper Joe Hart as 'one of the best in the world' and urging his players to 'end this hoodoo'. England have lost six out of seven penalty shoot-outs in the past 22 years at the Euros and World Cup finals.
Leading the cheers: The prospect of a penalty shoot-out looms large, but dedicated England supporters outnumber their counterparts five to one
Stars in her eyes: England fan Gail Porter dons customised patriotic glasses as she prepares for the match in Ukraine
In contrast to the confidence among England fans, the 'Azzuri' seemed to have lost faith. Airlines cancelled charter flights from Italy to Ukraine due to lack of interest and unsold match tickets from their allocation were returned.
About 20?million viewers are expected to be glued to televisions for the match, many of them steeling themselves in the only way they know how – with beer and crisps.
Ready to rule: England captain Steven Gerrard (right) gives a thumbs up as he leaves Krakow for Kiev with team-mate Joe Hart
And while England fans expect, so do the supermarkets. Tesco says it expects to sell 25 million cans and bottles of beer, cider and lager before the match, while Sainsbury's is predicting a 60 per cent weekend boost for its alcoholic beverages.
Both predict a 30 per cent rise in crisps and nuts sales and it seems many shoppers are planning Italian-themed parties. M&S has recorded a 175 per cent rise in pizza sales.
Roy Hodgson's side has already exceeded many fans' hopes and the 1-0 win over Ukraine last week brought ITV the highest peak TV audience of any channel this year at 18.6?million.
The National Grid is preparing for a half-time and full-time power 'pick-up' of 1,500 megawatts, rising in seconds from about 31,800 megawatts as the half-time whistle blows.
That is the equivalent of 600,000 kettles being switched on simultaneously or enough electricity to power Norwich. The biggest ever TV pick-up was at the end of the England versus Germany World Cup semi-final on July 4, 1990 – the game in which England midfielder Paul Gascoigne cried – when it hit 2,800 megawatts.
Yesterday Gerrard, who arrived with his team-mates from their base in Krakow, backed Joe Hart should the match go to penalties. 'His performances have been fantastic and I think he is going to be one of our key players. At some time during the game or in extra-time or maybe penalties he is going to be called upon to make a fantastic save and we all trust he will.
'In previous tournaments we haven't shown what we are capable of but our performances are getting stronger in this competition. That is what gives me the belief that we can end this hoodoo that people talk about.'
English fans last night gathered in Kiev's purpose built fan-zone in the heart of the city. Dex Marshall, a financial adviser from Uckfield, East Sussex, has attended all the group games so far dressed as an English knight.
'I came here two weeks ago and it's been fantastic. Our team will win for sure. The score will be 2-1.
And I believe England will beat Germany in the semi-finals in Poland. I've already booked my flight to Poland – it cost me 200 one-way but it's worth it.'
The England squad are allowed snacks ahead of the game – during which they could burn 4,000 calories – in the form of protein-filled 'peanut balls'. Team chef Tim De'Ath is also preparing a pre-match meal of spaghetti bolognaise, salad and chicken followed by rice pudding.
As tonight's 7.45pm kick-off approaches thousands of supporters are expected to crowd into Italian bars and restaurants in expat communities from South Wales to Soho.
Artistic: Italian striker Mario Balotelli's haircut was visible from the sky tonight as a huge caricature of him was carved into a cornfield near Verona
Impressive: The image, which covered 27,000 square metres, was created by Dario Gambarin. He described it as a 'good luck' message to the Manchester City ace
At London's Bar Italia, in Frith Street, Soho, Sky, BBC TV and BBC Radio 5 are all running outside broadcasts to get half-time 'fan analysis'.
Manager Veronica Polledri, 43, said 300 fans were expected including several English parties. 'It will be good for the banter,' she said. 'We are an Italian family but our restaurant is in England so it is perfect.'
For those whose frayed nerves survive to witness England triumph tonight, there will be only one more thing to worry about... a semi-final against Germany on Thursday.
Italy's sports press say their girls come out on top
England has already lost to Italy – at least in the showdown of the WAGs.
So claims a provocative Italian newspaper article which mocked the wives and girlfriends of the English squad and gloated: 'Our WAGs are more beautiful and more famous – just looking at them you can see we win.'
Gazzetta Dello Sport said that England's glamour quotient was hit by the loss of Cheryl Cole, who split from Ashley, and said the new top English WAG was Melanie Slade, partner of midfielder Theo Walcott.
Italy's WAG line-up includes ballerina Eleonora Abbagnato, wife of Federico Balzaretti; Playboy playmate Cristina de Pin, girlfriend of Riccardo Montolivo; TV host Silvia Hsieh, wife of Alessandro Diamanti; Alena Seredova, the model wife of goalie Gigi Buffon; and Mario Balotelli's fiancee Raffaella Fico.
The Italian team
Sultry: (From left) Alena Seredova, wife of Italian goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Raffaella Fico, and Federico Balzaretti's wife Eleonora Abbagnato
Smouldering: Sylvia Hsieh, wife of Alessandro Diamanti, and Cristina De Pin, girlfriend of Riccardo Montolivo
The England team
England's finest: Wayne Rooney's wife Coleen, left, and Glen Johnson's wife Laura
Hot couples: Glen Johnson his wife Laura, left, and Scott Parker with wife Carly in Krakow
Peter Crouch wins the WAG war. Now how on earth did he pull that (off) ? - mediastarguest, MADRID, 24/6/2012 16:46 Being famous and having millions of pounds in the bank will have helped seal the deal. She wouldn't look at him twice if he made £200 a week sweeping the roads,
- Tom, Middlesbrough, UK, 24/6/2012 18:46
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