'We dared to dream': Fans react to England's Euros defeat

Concerned faces at The Nest after Spain's first goal

Football supporters across the East Midlands shared their disappointment after England's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

They packed into venues across the region to watch Sunday's much-anticipated match, which saw England lose 2-1.

And thousands of music fans stayed after Derby Summer Sessions at Markeaton Park, where they watched The Lightning Seeds perform Three Lions earlier in the day.

Mark Reynolds, from Chesterfield, said: "It made it [the day] having the football at the end even though the result wasn't what we wanted."

Music fans, including Mark Reynolds (right), stayed to watch the football at Markeaton Park

He added: "There was hope when he [Cole Palmer] scored that goal but Spain have been the best side all tournament really, in my opinion."

There were similar feelings in Watnall, Nottinghamshire, where a group of about 30 people of all ages - a mix of neighbours and friends - gathered to watch the match at a street party.

Among them was Daniel Bailey, who said he had predicted the final score before the match.

He said: "England tactically and technically are not good enough to come up against the Spain team.

"They just have far more than what England had to offer."

He added: "It's no surprise to me. They're a great team."

As always, it was stressful at times watching England

Neighbours in Nimbus Way, Watnall, held a street party

Hundreds of fans watched the final at The Nest - Notts County's fanzone in Iremonger Road.

Many told the BBC they were "gutted" by the result.

But Steve Hill, from Nottingham, said he felt both "disappointed" and "proud".

"We feel so upset tonight but what a fantastic evening," he added.

"Nottingham has come together, we are Nottingham."

Ollie Warren (left) and Lawrence Jones (right) watched the game at Harborough Football Club

Lawrence Jones, who watched the match at Harborough Football Club in Leicestershire, said: "I think over the night the Spaniards edged it. They played some beautiful football tonight.

"We had our moment, we equalised and just for a moment we all dared to dream - and then another quality goal from Spain right at the end.

"No disgrace. I think individually and the energy England have put in - coming from behind on two or three occasions to win these games.

"To reach a final - tremendous performance by the England team."

He added: "They worked incredibly hard but it wasn't to be, so the wait goes on."

Paul Twentyman, from Harborough, thought it was "brilliant to get to another final".

He said: "We got beaten by a team that's better than us. They took their chances at the right time.

"It hurts but it was coming, I think. They'd stepped up and I think it was coming.

"At the beginning of the second half, we didn't get ourselves ready for a change in their tactics."