Manchester City fans continued to party ahead of their Champions League final in Istanbul, drinking pints as the sun rose and temperatures soared to 25C.
Extra beer barrels and cool crates were seen arriving at bars linking the cramped city center of Nevizade Street in the historic city famous for being where West meets East.
As the Islamic call to prayer sounded from nearby minarets, they were drowned out by chants of “City, City” as hundreds of fans sat in the sunshine to soak up the atmosphere.
A restaurant owner was greeted with cheers as he rolled barrel after barrel down the sloping street from a van that had stopped with fresh stock.
Shopkeepers, bar owners and restaurant patrons were elated and said they made their fortunes with local media saying, “I am so, so happy. My business has never been better, people are spending money like crazy and I’m running out of beer.
Manchester City and Inter Milan fans are in high spirits ahead of the Champions League final
Supporters from both sides posed for photos in Istanbul as they soaked up the atmosphere
Families and friends gathered at hotspots around the city ahead of the game
Crowds face a long, nightmarish journey to Ataturk’s Olympic Stadium tonight
Dean and Jill Tattersley, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, were among those who came to see if City could make history by adding the Champions League to their Premier League title and FA Cup triumphs.
Nurse Jill, 43, in a dress made from a Manchester City flag, said Sports Mail: ‘We are both season ticket holders and paid £450 for the game and City are going to do it for the NHS.
‘We’ve heard it’s a bit of a ground trip so we’ll have a few drinks here and then head there by bus or tube – we can get some sleep on the trip as it’s 10pm.
Paul Griffin, from Worsley, Manchester, was in Istanbul with his brother John, three other siblings and their children having an exceptional party of 20 and they had flown with the city’s official supporters club.
Paul said: “I know it’s going to be difficult to get to the ground, but in other words it’s a four hour flight from Manchester so 90 minutes by bus or tube is going to be a game of luck. ‘child.”
“I was at Porto two years ago when we lost to Chelsea and it was a nice day but obviously the bad result – my divorce went better – so now we’re here to make up for that.
“I know people say we have spent our way here, but compared to some of the other clubs like Chelsea and United, we are spending our money wisely.
Bar owners rolled barrels of beer through the streets, much to the delight of their customers
Fans wasted little time drinking beers and bathing in the sun on the day of the final
City fans in particular are confident ahead of the game as their side chase the treble
“Also the owners really invested in this area around East Manchester before it was as rough as old boots, but they have passion and plans and have transformed the place.”
Also in Istanbul were Dan Carr, 26, and his girlfriend Shayna Halliwell, 24, both from Bury, and who both won the FA Cup final last weekend against rivals Manchester United.
Dan, whose grandfather Tommy Booth played for City in the 1970s and 1980s making 382 appearances, said Sports Mailyou: ‘I have always been a City fan, thank you for my grandfather and it will be huge for us if we win.
“He’s not here but he will be watching and cheering at home. He has spent most of his career playing for City and it will mean a lot to him and to all of us if we win.
‘I’ve seen it’s a bit of the ground trip and to be honest I’m not quite sure how we’ll get there yet, but we’ll have a few drinks here and then we’ll head out – we’ll find a way to a one way or another.’
Turkish officials said 125 charter flights from the UK and Italy were due to land in the three days before the game carrying thousands of fans.
Health authorities said 48 ambulances and eight temporary medical centers had been set up around the Olympic Stadium and 180 doctors and nurses would be on duty.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said 15,000 police would be on duty for the match being played at the same venue where Liverpool made a miraculous comeback in 2005 by beating AC Milan 3-0 at halftime. time.
Meanwhile, City fan Noel Gallagher was due to join fans at a bar in San Diego to watch the game ahead of his Saturday night concert in the city.
It is believed that he accepted an initiation from the San Diego City Supporters’ Club to watch the game at the Blue Foot Bar.
