PEOPLE across Ireland have been flying Germany flags to show support for Joachim Löw's side ahead of their last-16 tie with England this afternoon.
'Anyone but England' is a way of life here Ireland, but it's particularly this summer as we find ourselves sitting at home twiddling our thumbs as the Three Lions go galavanting across Europe before their inevitable unceremonious elimination via a penalty shoot-out.
Could it happen tonight? Well, Ireland certainly hopes so.
Hundreds of German flags have been popping up all over the country. They're outside pubs, in living rooms and in social media bios. Forget the Delta variant, Ireland has caught Germany-fever! ... (I'll let myself out).
The match kicks off at 5pm this afternoon, with a place in the quarter finals up for grabs.
The last time England faced Germany in a major tournament was during the 2010 World Cup, where Frank Lampard's strike was famously ruled out despite bouncing a yard or two over the line. Germany went on to win the game 4-1.
The Three Lions have faced the Germans at two European Championships in the past, first at Euro 96, where they lost in the semi-final on penalties, where Gareth Southgate - who now manages the side - missed the decisive spot-kick, and then at Euro 2000, where they met in the group-stage, with England winning 1-0 courtesy of an Alan Shearer header.
— J (@23jxmie) June 24, 2021
We’re the same think all of Ireland will be supporting Germany bar the unionists of course 🧚💚🙈🤣🤣🤣🤣🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪
— sue (@sue38097270) June 29, 2021
Germany flags flying from Nancy Mulligans Bar in Belfast today, ahead of their Euros game against England this Tuesday at 5pm.
Let’s go Germany! 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/MZQJeDOFce— Nancy Mulligans Bar Belfast (@nancysbelfast) June 27, 2021
With #ENGGER on the way, we want to kindly remind all of our customers and friends that https://t.co/GpulMwVoOT are fully supporting our EU family. C'mon #Germany @Europarl_EN @UEFAcom #Ireland #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/y1gYIv8Y9h
— BeSafe: Health & Safety - www.safebe.ie (@safebeie) June 29, 2021
