Pubs around the West Midlands throw open doors to supporters hoping to roar Lionesses home in Sunday final
Lionesses supporters will hope to roar their side on in this weekend's European Championship final from pubs and bars across the West Midlands.
England face Spain in the Women's Euros final this Sunday (July 27) looking to retain the title they won in 2022 after beating Germany in a memorable final at Wembley Stadium.
The match drew an estimated 17.4 million viewers in the UK alone, making it the most-watched women's football match in UK history at the time, and the growth of the women's game since then means the record could be broken again on Sunday.
Pubs and beer gardens are always full when the men's national team play in major tournaments, but a difference in audience for the Lionesses has been a breath of fresh air for pub bosses across the West Midlands.
"We buy into everything and we've shown all the Lionesses games on our big screen," Will Adamson of the Cleveland Arms in Willenhall said. "We had around 40 to 50 people for the semi-final, and with it being a Sunday afternoon, 5pm, we're expecting a decent crowd.
"It's a different crowd to when we have the men's tournament games on, it really is.
"A lot of girls will come out together and they feel more at home here watching it. Families will bring their kids here to watch it, so it is a different crowd.
"The [kick-off] times haven't been great so far this tournament but it's starting to catch the imagination now.
"My daughter has watched every game and all of a sudden after Lucy Bronze scored that penalty [against Sweden] she's been out in the garden walloping the ball around. When I asked what she was doing it for she said: 'Lucy Bronze did it like that, dad!'
"My wife's even bought into it."
Elsewhere, The Crown in Willenhall is offering a free shot for every goal the Lionesses score in the final, while Bar Sport in Cannock will be showing the game on more than 100 screens throughout the day.
