Prices double overnight in
Kiev ahead of Sweden clash
Published: 53 minutes ago
ENGLAND fans have told of their fury at “rip-off” bar prices in Kiev ahead of tomorrow night's vital Euro 2012 clash with Sweden.
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They claimed beer at a bar designated as the base of the official England supporters’ club almost doubled overnight from £2.20 to £4.10.
So the Three Lions supporters took over part of the Uefa fan zone instead - where a pint costs just £1.50.
Builder Ian Allsop, 41, from Luton, said: “It was £2.20 for a beer but now it costs £4.10. They are trying to rip us off.”
The Euros have been already dogged with complaints from fans over the price of hotels.
The cost of a room for a one-star hotel on the night of a game is about £1,000.
But the English fans are making the best of it and are ensuring they are heard as they mingle peacefully among the Swedes, who will vastly outnumber them in the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night.
Around 20,000 Swedish fans are set to attend the match, compared with 5,000 cheering for England.
The English contingent hung large St George Cross flags from beer tents and serenaded rival fans with a rendition of the national anthem.
Project manager Chris Banks, 24, from Reading, said: “Sweden have got their own bars and restaurants so they all congregate in the same place.
“But England fans are making themselves known. We’re loud!”
Meanwhile the England band have been given assurances they will be allowed into the remaining games at Euro 2012.
After driving 2,800 miles to Donetsk for Monday’s opener with France and being granted admittance to the Donbass Arena, the band were stunned when security staff confiscated their instruments.
Following representations by the Football Association, Uefa has confirmed the band will be allowed into the game.
There were reports today that England fans were greeted with third world conditions as they gathered in Kiev.
With temperatures hitting 82°C, supporters arriving at the fan zone were told toilets would not flush and there would be no running water.
Hot drinks were unavailable from bars and cafes... but thankfully beer tents were fully operational.
Despite the conditions, England fans are optimistic ahead of the game and are backing Roy Hodgson's men to beat Sweden for the first time ever in a competitive match.
Rob Stone, 51, from Derby, said: “I think it will be 3-1 to England, and I think we’ll win the group.”
Anthony Oliver, 27, from Welwyn Garden City, predicted a close game but reckons England will clinch a 1-0 victory.
And Nigel Carty, 47, said: “I think this is where we’ve got to snatch the points.”
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