The aftermath…

Clear pictures are starting to come through.

This is the aftermath of the violent clashes in Gelsenkirchen. Tables and chairs are destroyed, and there is glass everywhere.

Multiple fans seem to have suffered gashes across there heads from objects thrown. It’s not a pretty sight.

Reportedly no England fans involved

I did say we were learning more as the minutes go by.

Eye-witnesses at the scene have claimed that Serbia fans were attacked by locals and not England fans.

Mail Sport has also spoken to some of the Serbia fans caught within the melee, who have also declared that it was not England fans involved.

We will continue to bring you more as we know it.

So what happened?

More, and more news is coming into us as the minutes go by.

One fan managed to capture the incident on video, and it’s fair to say the scenes are unsavoury.

In the mass brawl, tables and chairs were being thrown and even glasses were being lobbed.

The riot police did manage to come in and break it up, but a lot of damage seemed to have been already done.

If you want to watch what happened, the video is below.

WARNING: Graphic Content

If you do not like the sight of blood, scroll past this post now.

Photos have been streaming in across the last hour of some of the damage fans have endured after the shameful scenes we saw earlier.

Former England attacker Stan Collymore managed to capture this photo of a man with his head split open.

It seems very nasty, and it’s not what we wanted to see today.

What have I missed?

Thank you for the kind words, Adrian.

So, what have I missed? A lot it seems. The build-up to England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia has not exactly been a quiet one.

Fighting between both sets of fans has dampened proceedings before the game even got underway.

It is not the best of starts, but let’s hope everyone involved is ok.

Signing off…

Thanks for following along so far, I’m signing off for now but don’t go anywhere as I’ll be leaving you all in the very capable hands of Harry Bamforth.

Remember to stick right here for all the news and updates for England’s Euro 2024 with kick-off now just four hours away…

England insiders

Mail Sport’s Craig Hope and Sami Mokbel have made their way to Gelsenkirchen and aside from a few travel delays and a potentially sticky situation on a German train seem to be enjoying their time.

During a stroll around the Veltins-Arena the pair shared their thoughts on Gareth Southgate’s side ahead of tonight’s clash.

Last meeting

It’s been more than two decades since these two teams’ last met, and the first since Serbia split with Montenegro in 2006.

With usual skipper David Beckham absent, Michael Owen was handed the armband for the friendly on a warm night at the King Power Stadium back in 2003.

With a certain Gareth Southgate starting in defence, England took an early lead through Steven Gerrard before the visitors equalised thanks to a goal from Nenad Jestrovic.

In typical Sven-Goran Eriksson style, England made ten changes throughout the second-half, including handing Chelsea youngster John Terry the first of his 79 caps.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Joe Cole popped up in the closing stages to secure victory for England.

I imagine more than a few fans would take a similar scoreline tonight…

Clashes are breaking out between England and Serbia fans in Germany ahead of the teams’ opening match of the Euros later today.

Riot police have clashed with supporters outside a bar in Gelsenkirchen as violence boiled over for the first time this afternoon.

Officers moved in after trouble erupted between England and Serbian fans outside a restaurant just after 3.30pm.

Euros violence breaks out hours before England’s clash with Serbia

Clashes are breaking out between England and Serbia fans in Germany ahead of the teams’ opening match of the Euros later today.

Squad watch: Serbia

Although Gareth Southgate’s side enter as sizeable favourites against the team ranked 33rd in the world by FIFA, Serbia possess a number of recognisable names in their squad.

Perhaps the biggest test for England will be how they deal with the attacking duo of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic.

Mitrovic will be no stranger to fans of English football, having made more than 200 appearances for Newcastle and Fulham before moving to Al-Hilal last summer.

The 29-year-old remains the owner of the highest scoring season in English football with 43 goals in the Championship in 2021-22 and he would love to add to his 58 international goals tonight.

Meanwhile England will also need to be ready to deal with the sizeable threat posed by Vlahovic.

Mail Sport’s Mike Keegan is in Gelsenkirchen and is reporting troubling scenes breaking out between supporters with police forced to intervene ahead of tonight’s fixture.

More updates to follow…

Harry Kane: ‘Winning the tournament would mean the world’
Harry Kane, speaking to reporters on Saturday:

It would mean a lot. I love playing for England. It means the world to me and winning a major tournament would be one of the pinnacles of anyone’s career. That’s the aim.

For me the trophies haven’t happened but it makes me more determined to do that. We have a good opportunity, a lot of hard work ahead, and we’re looking forward to trying to make it happen.

Stars shine in training

What can be said that hasn’t already about England’s attacking talent?

The ‘Golden Generation’ moniker has rarely proved a helpful characterisation of a group of players but you would be hard-pressed to find such depth in any of England’s previous tournament squads.

Of course, getting the team to click when it matters on the pitch is what’s most important.

But if this clip of Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka linking up in training is anything to go by, the Three Lions could well roar tonight.

Gareth Southgate’s injury update

Gareth Southgate has revealed that all of his players trained ahead of today’s which will no doubt come as a relief to England fans.

Still though, doubt remains over whether Luke Shaw is ready for place on the bench.

The Man United defender has been determined to get fit in time for the Euros following a hamstring injury but making the pitch tonight might prove a bridge too far for the 28-year-old.

Fans in great voice

More than 30,000 fans have descended on Gelsenkirchen with kick-off fast approaching.

There’s a real feeling of excitement in the air as England look to banish the demons of Euro 2020 by getting off to a winning start tonight.

St George’s Crosses are visible as far as the eye can see as the party atmosphere gets underway.

It’s finally here!

The moment England fans have been waiting for is finally upon us.

Whether at home or in Germany soaking up the atmosphere, a nervous excitement has taken hold of England fans everywhere with another major tournament soon to begin.

Gareth Southgate enters his fourth major tournament in charge of the Three Lions with his previous successes and the wealth of talent at his disposal bringing with them a serious weight of expectations.

At 8pm this evening England will take to the pitch against a not to be underestimated Serbia side looking to take the very first step in ending 58 years of hurt.

We’ll have all the updates and action right here so stick around and let’s get this party started.