TENS of thousands of England fans will descend on Gelsenkirchen this weekend for Sunday’s Euro 2024 opener vs Serbia.
So SunSport has produced a must read city guide for every Three Lions supporter – including the best places to have a beer!
England fans will flock to Gelsenkirchen in huge numbers this weekendRichard Pelham / The Sun
They’ll be looking for a good time in Germany
And SunSport has produced this fans’ guide to Gelsenkirchen which every travelling Three Lions supporter must read
Gelsenkirchen is a former industrial hub and home to German giants Schalke.
And die-hard fan Simon Schlenke provided SunSport with expert local knowledge all England supporters should know.
From fan zones and must see tourist attractions, to traditional German eateries and (of course!) the best pubs, we’ve got you covered…
Fan zone
SunSport says: The official Gelsenkirchen fan zone will be at the spectacular Nordsternplatz.
The enormous riverside park has wide open green spaces, stunning views and striking man-made structures.
And of course the amphitheatre which will be a perfect spot to watch all the live Euro 2024 action on vast TV screens.
It takes about half an hour on the bus to get there from Gelsenkirchen city centre.
But the journey is worth it for the jaw-dropping surroundings where you will be able to watch football while eating and drinking from a wide array of pop-up food and drink stalls.
Make sure you search NordsternPLATZ if getting an Uber rather than NordsternPARK.
The platz is part of the park but the overall park is HUGE so beware. We learned this the hard way.
The Nordsternplatz fan zone will show every Euros game live on huge TV screens
The Euro 2024 trophy overlooks the wide open green spaces of Nordsternpark
The fan zone’s stunning riverside location makes the half hour bus journey from Gelsenkirchen town centre worthwhile
Stadium
SunSport says: Schalke’s 62,000 capacity Veltins Arena will play host to England at a major tournament for the second time in 18 years when they meet Serbia on Sunday.
But Three Lions fans won’t want to remember the last time as it saw England lose the 2006 World Cup quarter-final to Portugal on penalties.
And, perhaps more memorably, it was the scene of Cristiano Ronaldo’s infamous wink after his then-Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney was sent off for stamping on former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho.
Schalke are floundering in the second tier – finishing mid-table last season – but still boast the second largest number of fan members behind only giants Bayern Munich.
The stadium was opened in 2001, cost nearly £170million to build, has a retractable roof and is sponsored by German brewer Veltins.
Gareth Southgate’s team will not be the first Englishmen to enter the stadium this year as Colchester-born left-back Derry Murkin played 23 league games for Schalke last season.
England play Serbia in Sunday’s Euro 2024 opener at Schalke’s Veltins Arena
The imposing stadium has a retractable roof and was opened in 2001
The modern arena cost nearly £170m to build and sells out most weeks despite Schalke being in the second tier
England fans will have bad memories of the ground as the scene of Cristiano Ronaldo’s infamous wink after Wayne Rooney was sent off in the 2006 World Cup final
Best place for England fans to gather
Simon says: “Go to the Heinrich-Konig Platz.
“England fans met there during the 2006 World Cup too and the atmosphere was great. I have no doubt it will be again.
“There are a lot of pubs nearby which is great.
“But if it’s too crowded, fans can go to the Trabrennbahn horse racing track where there will be big screens showing the games.”
SunSport says: The official Nordsternplatz fan zone is a bit of a faff to get to, so England fans will be seeking out alternative spots to gather.
And Heinrich-Konig Platz is just the place.
The sprawling square surrounds an old bell tower with bars, pubs and restaurants lining the perimeter.
And it is also a designated meeting place for England fans with tickets to the Serbia clash – with the Veltins Arena just a short tram ride away.
England Euro 2024 guide
GARETH SOUTHGATE is under no illusions coming into this competition – it is win or bust.
The Three Lions have never had a better opportunity to end their 58-year wait for a major international trophy given the talent and experience they have in their armoury.
MANAGER: Gareth Southgate
The former England star has come closer than anyone since Sir Alf Ramsey to ending the Three Lions’ trophy hoodoo.
Southgate is aware that the nations expects, and has even suggested he will quit if he doesn’t deliver the European Championship.
STAR MAN: Jude Bellingham
The Real Madrid star is arguably the world’s best player at the moment and gives England the platform they need to dominate big games.
How England attack
England will look to dominate the ball against almost everybody.
Declan Rice is crucial in progressing the ball, Bellingham, Saka and Foden will rotate to pull defenders out of position and Kane can both score and drop deep to provide chances for others.
How England defend
England press man-to-man with the midfield pushing up to support Kane when the ball is lost and look to win it as close to the opposition goal as possible.
However, the left-back spot could be a cause for concern, particularly with Luke Shaw entering the tournament with fitness worries.
Read the full England Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags.
Best pubs for England fans in Gelsenkirchen
Simon says: “The Friesenstube pub is near the Heinrich-Konig Platz, it’s great and you get a perfect draught beer.
“But, if you want to have a real Schalke experience, go to the Schalke neighbourhood and go to the BOSCH [sports bar].
“It’s the official club pub, has a real home town feel and is a bit closer to the stadium.
“And it’s also right next to Schalke’s historical first ever stadium – the Gluckauf-Kampfbahn.”
Schalke fan Simon told SunSport readers to head to Vereinslokal Schalke 04 “Bosch” bar for a ‘home town feel’
The bar in Gelsenkirchen’s Schalke region is close to the Veltins Arena
The Friesenstube pub by the Heinrich Konig Platz has great beer and traditional German decor where Simon (second from left) is a regular
Best restaurants for England fans in Gelsenkirchen
Simon says: “If England fans have had a little bit too much to drink and want to line their stomachs, definitely go to a restaurant with a Greek name.
“They will have everything you need to get sober again and maybe get a good base to drink a few more beers.
“Diosmos is particularly great. And if you prefer Italian, go to Ristorante Trulli.
“But for traditional German food, head to Haus Hirt steakhouse.”
SunSport says: Greek restaurant Topkapi Saray was our favourite spot.
Although it is right outside Gelsenkirchen’s main station, the chicken gyros wraps were to die for.
Greek restaurants are very common in Gelsenkirchen and most are very good quality
SunSport’s expert local guide Simon recommended Diosmos (pictured) while SunSport loved Topkapi Saray
Must try German beer
Simon says: “Stauder Pils.
“It is the perfect pint.”
Stauder Pils is a local beer brewed just ten miles away in Essen
Must try German food
Simon says: “Taxiteller.
“It’s currywurst, french fries and gyro meat with tzatziki, onions and greens.
“Add a bit of mayonnaise and ketchup and you have the perfect combo!”
Taxiteller is a German dish made with currywurst, gyro meat, French fries and onions
Must see tourist attraction
SunSport says: Schalke’s historic Gluckauf-Kampfbahn stadium is a super spot for any football historians.
The old ground opened in 1928 and was used until 1973 when it was replaced by Schalke’s Parkstadion.
It is well worth a visit along with the Musiktheater im Revier opera house for the more cultured England fan…
Schalke’s historic former Kampfbahn Gluckauf is well worth a visit for any football history buffs
While the Musiktheater im Revier may be more suited to the more cultured England fan
Fun fact about Gelsenkirchen
Simon says: “The city has real industrial history.
“There’s been a bit of a downfall in recent years but it is a great place for creative people who want to implement their ideas.”
SunSport says: Gelsenkirchen is by no means the most glamorous place you will visit in your life.
In fact it is easily the worst city England visit during the group stage.
But the beer is good, the people are friendly and it is easy to get around.
If the sun is out and England win, there will be nothing to complain about!