
HOWEVER they play on the pitch, England could at least be crowing about an off-field triumph this summer - the World Cup's biggest flag.
It weighs 100kg, covers 6,000 square feet and cost £3,750 - and will need its own special coach to transport it across Germany.
But while you may not want to get stuck underneath as it floats across the stands, a group of England fans is hoping to stun opposing fans into silence.
The massive banner was the idea of 30-year-old Darren Pullen, a Spurs season ticket-holder from Billericay, Essex.
He was inspired by the huge 'surfer' flags he had seen in foreign stadiums - and thought England should have its own.
He got the thumbs-up from the FA to take the flag, which bears the St George's cross, the 'Three Lions' crest and the 60ft-high, 100ft-wide message: 'We still believe'.
He said: 'As far as we know, this is the largest surfer flag ever produced in England for regular use.
'Some of the surfer flags you get in other countries are absolutely massive - but none of them will be a scratch on ours.'
After designing the flag last summer, he worried about raising enough money to get it made by Oldham-based Barmyflags - and fire-proofed.
But supporters, celebrities and newspapers all chipped in with contributions.
He said: '400 englandfans members have donated to it - including kids as young as nine giving up their pocket money, so the "Fans' Flag" really is what it says.'
The flag has impressed chart-topping band Embrace, who have asked to borrow it for their video accompanying England's official Germany 2006 anthem.
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