England fans in Russia proudly wave flag of St George as hopes build ahead of Panama game tomorrow

England fans have taken over the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod ahead of the next Group G World Cup match against Panama tomorrow.

Draped in flags and donning England shirts, around 2,100 supporters have swarmed Russia’s fifth largest city to see the game.

Fans will be hopeful that England can repeat their 2-1 victory against Tunisia which saw Harry Kane score twice on Monday.

The temperature in Nizhny Novgorod looks set to be similar to the 30C experienced in Volgograd earlier this week, but hopefully swarms of midges won’t make another appearance.

England fan Fiona Kelly, 28, from Strood, Kent, said: ‘It is hot today and tomorrow it’s likely to be just as intense. That’s not going to be good for our lads at all.

‘If we are going to win this World Cup it looks like we are not only going to have to beat other teams but nature too.  

Elliott Charles (left) and George Hesselgren flew out from London to support England in Nizhny Novgorod during the World Cup

One fan took his love of his country to the extreme by dyeing his hair red in the shape of the England flag while watching the Belgium v Tunisia game in Nizhny Novgorod

One fan took his love of his country to the extreme by dyeing his hair red in the shape of the England flag while watching the Belgium v Tunisia game in Nizhny Novgorod

Around 2,100 supporters have swarmed Russia's fifth largest city to see the Group G game against Panama tomorrow

Around 2,100 supporters have swarmed Russia’s fifth largest city to see the Group G game against Panama tomorrow

‘You had to feel sorry for the players in Volgograd when the midges threatened to eat them alive against Tunisia. 

‘Now they are going to have to make sure they are properly prepared for the intense afternoon heat. I’m worried but I still reckon we’ll beat them 3-1.’

Panama are playing in the World Cup for the first time ever this year, and looked overmatched in a 3-0 opening loss to Belgium. 

Sam Lodge and her husband Geoff flew into Russia for their first England game and said despite the blistering heat, they felt England would reign supreme and qualify for the second round with a match to spare. 

She said: ‘It’s going to be tougher for the England players with the heat, but we can’t use that as an excuse to complain. 

‘We are better than Panama and should win comfortably.’ 

Geoff, 29, an engineer from Froome, Somerset, said he and his wife had spent £3,000 on their trip. 

He added: ‘We were a bit nervous about experiencing hostility after the stuff we had been warned to look out. 

‘But it couldn’t be more different. People have been great with us ever since we arrived in Friday.’

Nizhny Novgorod is 260 miles east of Moscow and was closed off to foreigners until 1989 because of it was the site of mass weapon manufacturing.

Between 1932 and 1990 it was known as Gorky, named after the Nobel Prize-winning writer Maxim Gorky. 

Fans will be hopeful that England can repeat their 2-1 victory against Tunisia which saw Harry Kane score twice on Monday

Fans will be hopeful that England can repeat their 2-1 victory against Tunisia which saw Harry Kane score twice on Monday

This group looked jolly as they danced together in the streets of Nizhny Novgorod with their England shirts on full display

This group looked jolly as they danced together in the streets of Nizhny Novgorod with their England shirts on full display

The temperature in Nizhny Novgorod looks set to be similar to the 30C experienced in Volgograd earlier this week, but hopefully swarms of midges won't make another appearance

The temperature in Nizhny Novgorod looks set to be similar to the 30C experienced in Volgograd earlier this week, but hopefully swarms of midges won’t make another appearance

London ambulance worker Clarke Buckeridge, 39, said he had watched England play all over the world, but had never seen such a low number of fans who have travelled to Russia. 

He said: ‘I think the reason there’s not as many England fans around us due to logistics and expense. 

‘There were a few I think who would have been put off by worries about violence, but there’s been no threat of that at all. 

‘The Russians are putting on a great tournament and everybody is behind making it a success here. 

‘Let’s hope England can be a success too. I think we’ll win 1-0 or 2-0.’

England coach Gareth Southgate said he felt it was important that his team adapted to the heat and kept possession of the ball. 

He said: ‘The heat, of course, is different in different parts of the country and we will have to adapt.’

Southgate added he did not believe it was a ‘mistake’ not to have trained in the stadium in the build up to the match adding that FIFA preferred teams not to in order to maintain pitches to be in peak conditions for matches. 

These two England supporters cooled down with a spot of ice cream as they enjoyed the warm temperatures in Russia

These two England supporters cooled down with a spot of ice cream as they enjoyed the warm temperatures in Russia

This Panama fan happily placed his arm around an England supporter as they both proudly showed off their flags

This Panama fan happily placed his arm around an England supporter as they both proudly showed off their flags

England fans were spotted shouting and cheering in the streets outside bars as they prepare for the match tomorrow

England fans were spotted shouting and cheering in the streets outside bars as they prepare for the match tomorrow

Fans looked in high spirits earlier today. Their rivals, Panama, are playing in the World Cup for the first time ever this year, and looked overmatched in a 3-0 opening loss to Belgium

Fans looked in high spirits earlier today. Their rivals, Panama, are playing in the World Cup for the first time ever this year, and looked overmatched in a 3-0 opening loss to Belgium



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