- England beat Serbia 1-0 in their opening game at Euro 2024 on Sunday evening
- Fans faced a nightmare travel to and from theVeltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen
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By Tum Balogun
Published: | Updated:
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73 View commentsEngland fans have blasted the disastrousevent organisation at Euro 2024after many were forced to endure nightmare queues and travel chaos after England's win over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
Gareth Southgate's side began their campaign with a nervy 1-0 win at theVeltins-Arena on Sunday night thanks to a first-half goal from Jude Bellingham.
Fans were treated to a free-flowing, at times exhilarating, first 30 minutes before attacking intent made way for a deep defensive block. And, in turn, cold water was poured on England supporter's pre-tournament optimism.
But many fans were unable to properly enjoy the relief of victory when were left enraged by the failure of the transport system surrounding the 62,000-seater stadium.
Many in attendance stood in massive queues for several hours after the final whistle as trams arrived at theGelsenkirchen Veltins-Arena stop as infrequently as once every 20 minutes.
England fans stood in massive queues for several hours after the game had finished on Sunday night
There were reports of trams arriving as infrequently as once every 20 mins at a station serving a 62,000-seater stadium
It was also reported that trams consisted of only three carriages which did little to reduce the backlog
This really isn’t great. Gelsenkirchen main station packed with fans still trying to get away but trains either not turning up or delayed. Game finished almost 3 hours ago. pic.twitter.com/7BgYQs4zPr
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) June 16, 2024
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The delays also subjected scores of stadium-goers to the elements, with reports that some fans were drenched waiting for several hours in the rain.
Those affected took to social media to slam the organising of the event, with one quoting a safety steward as saying the episode was a 'disgrace'.
'It’s 12.40am - nearly two hours after the final whistle in Gelsenkirchen - and tens of thousands of fans are still in a massive queue to get a tram from the stadium to the city.' Wrote Belfast Telegraph reporter Adrian Rutherford on X. 'One safety steward, apologising to fans, has branded the organising of tonight’s game “a disgrace".
'Some fans, once they get back to city centre, have onward journeys to Frankfurt and Cologne etc, one family with young children has been left in tears at the chaos.
'Trams are running infrequently and have only three carriages despite the platform being able to accommodate double that. Some fans have been drenched as they wait up to 2 hours to get on tram.'
'Gelsenkirchen a total disaster - took nearly 3 hours to get a tram and cover the 7km back to main train station. A 60,000-seater stadium served by 400-person trams going every 15 mins,' wrote another user.
ESPN's James Olley said: 'This really isn’t great. Gelsenkirchen main station packed with fans still trying to get away but trains either not turning up or delayed. Game finished almost 3 hours ago.'
An estimated 40,000 England supporters are believed to have descended on Gelsenkirchen and neighbouring cities such as Dusseldorf and Cologne over the weekend.
Earlier in the day there had been reports of fans facing faced issues reaching the ground after a broken down train caused public transport delays.
Frustrated fans reported waiting more than half an hour for a train, while sports writer Oliver Kay described the situation as a 'total mess'.
Those in attendance took to social media to voice their dismay at the organisation of the event
Many England fans had faced travel issues getting to the ground after a tram broke down
He wrote on social media: 'For any England or Serbia fans who are still in the middle of Gelsenkirchen (or worse still not there yet), I'd recommend you set off on foot if you can. It's about three miles but the public transport situation is a total mess.'
German police had been working with authorities from London and Belgrade to try to avoid ugly scenes in the areas around the stadium and during the game itself.
Its All Kicking OffJude Bellingham
