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Fans don their colours as build up to final heightens

By Hafsa Khalil and Hollie ColeBBC News

PA Media English fan plays football with a Spanish fan in BerlinPA Media

An early version of England’s clash with Spain got under way in the Berlin sun against the historic backdrop of the Brandenburg Gate

The excitement is building ahead of England aiming to create footballing history later against Spain in Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

Tens of thousands of England fans have been pouring into the German capital and not all of them are lucky enough to have tickets – there are reports of some changing hands for thousands of pounds.

Every bar, café and fan zone is awash with fans from both teams counting down the hours until kick-off.

Here is a photographic flavour of the atmosphere.

PA England fans hold up a replica Euro 2024 trophyPA

These fans have got into winning ways early with a trophy replica to parade around Breitscheidplatz

Andrew Milligan/PA Media Spanish fan holds sign asking for a ticket to the gameAndrew Milligan/PA Media

This optimistic Spanish fan is hoping against hope that he can land a last-minute ticket for the final. Good luck with that, amigo…

 Ben Birchall/PA Media England fans at Weidendammer Brucke in Berlin Ben Birchall/PA Media

Berlin’s Weidendammer bridge has been given a new look in recent days by England fans – can you spot your local area among these flags?

Getty Images Kirby estate in London Getty Images

Dressed in their finest: Back home, the Kirby estate in Bermondsey, south-east, is not exactly short of flags ahead of the final

Jack Wilkinson/PA Media Man tattoos trophy and words: Jack Wilkinson/PA Media

Confidence or bravado? Dan Thomas from Swindon has made it abundantly clear how he thinks tonight’s final will go!

England have brought their confidence in spades.

One supporter, 29-year-old Dan Thomas from Swindon, has already declared the three lions champions ahead of the game as he got a tattoo on his leg of a trophy and the words: “England Euro 2024 Winners.”

More than 42,000 people watched him go under the needle in a process that took two and a half hours.

The Brandenburg Gate has become a hotspot for fans – both English and Spanish – to come dressed in their football Sunday best and pose in their country colours.

A bit unfortunate that both nations feature red, but if you forget, England’s kit is white and Spain’s is in red.

Getty Images Spanish fan with drumGetty Images

Ole!, ole!, ole! Banging the drum – literally – for Spain in Berlin

Football fever is not confined to the Brandenburg Gate, though.

Central Berlin has been transformed as fans deck out the German capital in their team colours ahead of tonight’s match.

PA Two men wear England shirts and red and white hats with red and white hair attached to itPA

Fans come in all shapes and sizes… and hairstyles, real or otherwise

PA Spanish fans smile with a Spanish flag with bright red and yellow wigsPA

And these Spanish fans are also getting in on the crazy hair colour act!