Bring it on!

But they all had one thing in common.

England was going to win. Of that they were sure.

Of course they were right.

And if you were left in any doubt you had only to look at the shirts on their backs.

Most people who had watched the crunch game against Croatia last night in the city's Walkabout bar left the building in shirts soaked in beer after jumping up and down in total ecstasy - not just once but four times.

The bar in the High Street was packed out with more than 700 fans eager to see England keep alive their Euro 2004 dream.

And despite a shaky start they did so spectacularly, winning the game 4-2.

Faith was only slightly shaken when they conceded the first goal after just five minutes.

Hands flew to heads throughout the bar accompanied by shouts of denial.

In the next 30 minutes the tension mounted as the crowd witnessed the failed attempts to equalise.

"It will come," said Trevor Sharvell, in Southampton on business and predicting a 2-1 win. "It will come."

And it did - on 40 minutes, with a goal from Paul Scholes.

And again - in first-half extra time with another goal from England sensation Wayne Rooney.

The crowd could hardly contain themselves, screaming and leaping around at each goal, showering their neighbours with beer.

At half-time they were confident the match was already won.

"We are all over them like a rash," said Tim Cutler from Shirley. "It is easy now - an absolute doddle."

"They are going to win five-one," added Kevin Thornton, of Romsey. "It is in the bag."

As expected, more jubilation followed in the second half when Rooney scored yet another goal - his fourth in three matches.

Their shirts may have been wet, but a second goal from Croatia in the 73rd minute could do nothing to dampen the fans' spirits, because they knew their country was going through - and a Frank Lampsard fourth goal made sure of that.