England fans will waste at least 10 million pints watching the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 quarter-final, boffins say.
Beer worth more than £50million will be flung in joy or spilled in excitement during Saturday’s showdown with Switzerland, according to scientists. However it hits the deck it will add up to monumental waste of ale, they say.
Research by Dr Eamon Fulcher for superstore Aldi found 4.6 million pints go flying in wild celebrations every time England score. Striker Ivan Toney told the Daily Star the Three Lions love watching beer shower videos from fan parks – and hope to trigger many more.
READ MORE: ‘Time has caught up with crying Cristiano Ronaldo – he looked weak, selfish and stupid’
READ MORE: Gary Lineker sends ‘ridiculous’ UEFA 15-word verdict over Jude Bellingham investigation
The striker, who helped spark one of the biggest when his header set up Harry Kane to score the winner in Sunday’s dramatic last-16 clash with Slovakia, said: “In football you need that 12th man and the fans are that.
(Image: Getty Images)
“So when they’re behind us, cheering us on and clapping and creating an atmosphere it does push the players forward.
“We love the videos when everyone’s back home, beers going everywhere and the excitement.
“So hopefully that will continue.’’
The last time England played Switzerland in 2022 it was only a friendly but 9.2 million pints went down the drain as the Three Lions came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to a Luke Shaw equaliser and Harry Kane penalty.
Up to 20 million people are expected to tune in on TV to watch Saturday’s match in Dusseldorf where the teams will battle for a place in next week’s semi-finals.
(Image: Getty Images)
Experts say it will not even need a goal for ale to start flying with some spilled in excitement, frustration or simply by accident.
With the result decided on the night and the prospect of extra time and penalties Britain should be braced for a beer flood.
Dr Fulcher, professor of cognitive science at Split Second Research, examined a range of online videos to study what happens to pints in pubs and large-screen bar zones when England play.
He said: “We estimate that about 20% of pints are spilt, 15% are thrown into the air and a further 5% are spillages due to movement.
“Industry data confirms that around 243 million pints will be served in England during the Euros – and that doesn’t include those watching and drinking at home.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Based on previous results at the last Euros, of the 243 million pints served, it means 34,714,285 pints will be served per game.
“And if 20% are spilt per goal that equates to 6,942,857 pints hitting the floor.
“In Euro 2020 England averaged about 1.5 goals a game so we should divide it by 1.5, which gives us 4,628,571 pints spilt per goal.
“Times that by two based on the number of goals we scored against Switzerland last time and that gives us 9,257,142.’’
Analysts found there are different fan reactions to England goals scored at international tournaments, with beer spillage increasing as the competition progresses.
(Image: PA)
Dr Fulcher, a Spurs fan, said: “All goals are not equal.
“Jude Bellingham’s first goal for England in the opener against Serbia was special and I estimate the percentage of fans who threw their beer into the air to be as much as 25%.
“Equally Bellingham’s late equaliser and Harry Kane’s extra time winner last Sunday against Slovakia were both 25%-ers too.’’
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “We’re all used to seeing scenes of beer flying through the air when England scores and hopefully we’ll see it again on Saturday against Switzerland.
“No matter the level of spillages we predict to sell almost 800,000 individual cans of our own-label lager in the build up to the game.
“That’s 186 cans-a-minute – enough to equal the length of 1,304 football pitches.’’
For more shocking stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters