Thousands of England fans are gathered in Kiev ahead of Sunday's Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy.
Many paid hundreds of pounds for last-minute flights, match tickets and accommodation to be among the 6,000 Three Lions supporters inside the Olympic Stadium, the Press Association reported.
A large number of supporters spent the hours before kick-off in the Kiev fan zone at Independence Square, drinking beer and singing songs in the glorious sunshine.
A contingent of British police officers - who conducted a joint patrol with their Italian colleagues - praised the behaviour of England supporters throughout the tournament.
Back home around 20 million people will watch the drama unfold on television, as England bid to secure a semi-final clash with Germany in Poland.
Avid England fan Chris Smith, 49, was going to avoid the tournament after the dismal World Cup display two years ago.
But the attitude of Roy Hodgson's side in the group matches persuaded him to spend £600 on a trip to support the team.
"I wasn't going to come but then I had the urge. I've been impressed by the performances and I thought 'why not?'."
Mr Smith, who flew from Birmingham to Kiev via Dusseldorf, has a flight home booked for tomorrow, but said he might go to Warsaw instead if England win.
Tom Taylor, 24, from Manchester, spent £750 on a two-day trip to be in the Ukrainian capital for the big match.
He said: "I've got more into the tournament as it's gone along. If we win I'll come back out for Warsaw because it looks a lot easier to get there.
"I've had a look for the final and the prices are ridiculous already."
Most England fans predicted a close match tonight involving two defensive sides.
Ryan Wood and his wife Zoe, from Sheffield, were hopeful that England would come out on top.
Mr Wood, 27, said: "Italy aren't as good as they used to be.
"I think it will be a tight game with maybe one goal in it. I'll go for 1-0 to England with Andy Carroll coming off the bench to score the winner."
His wife, 31, added: "I think we're evenly matched, but England seem to be pretty well organised at the moment.
"They have a good team spirit so I'm quietly optimistic."
Alan Kotz, 64, from Seer Green, Buckinghamshire, said: "I saw the Italians play against Spain. They're very good, very compact, they come forward well."
But he added: "I think England can do it in extra-time by the odd goal."
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt, representing the Association of Chief Police Officers, commended the England supporters on their conduct at Euro 2012 so far.
He said: "We've been very pleased with the way they've behaved and the response that we've had when we've spoken to fans. If you'd offered me this at the start of the tournament I would have taken it."
He added: "There have been no arrests. There have been occasions when it's got quite lively, but we've managed with our Ukrainian colleagues to intervene and prevent it escalating."