Tens of thousands of fans can be seen around Wembley Stadium hours before the women’s Euros final.
A sea of England shirts and flags are pouring into the stadium with less than three hours to go before kick-off, blowing horns and waving clappers.
Many of those attending are in family groups, including young women and girls, with the atmosphere calm and positive.
A mother and daughter who are attending the final at Wembley together said the England team’s success has “helped grow” women’s football.
Childminder Helen Charlesworth, from Orpington, Kent, said her daughter Darcey, 22, had enjoyed football from the age of eight and started playing with boys as there were no girls’ teams around.
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She told the PA news agency: “I’m feeling nervous but excited. When we got the tickets last year it was a dream that England would be in the final and now it’s come true.
“To be at a home tournament is amazing. The team is so strong and there is a real team spirit about them.
“The fact that the women’s game is growing is amazing.
“This tournament has definitely helped grow the game and support for it,” Ms Charlesworth added.
Laura Ghany, 32, from south-east London, came to watch the match with her daughter Samira, 10.
Dressed in an England shirt with the St George’s cross painted on her face, Samira said she would be “very happy” if the Lionesses won tonight.
Ms Ghany said Samira tried to join a mixed football team last year and it turned out to be just boys.
She said the recent success of the Lionesses had been “a bit of inspiration” for Samira.
She added: “It’s been really good to see some women in action do some amazing stuff.”
Those without tickets were still in the area after kick-off, opting to watch the match in nearby pubs or on their phones.
Craig Stephens, 58, and his wife Julie, 54, from Twickenham, south-west London, told PA: “We just wanted to be around Wembley while the game was on, it really is historic.
“We’re really excited and hope England can do well, but we know that Germany has been a dangerous opponent in the past.”
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