Green Army expected to swell to 20,000 for Euro invasion

Giovanni Trapattoni’s team could be boosted by having as many as 20,000 Irish supporters in attendance at each of their three group games in the European Championship finals in Poland.

The huge figure — more than triple the original official allocation — is being predicted by FAI chief executive John Delaney and is based on additional tickets already sourced by the association plus tickets being bought directly through the UEFA website and other channels, sponsors’ allocations and the traditional ingenuity of Irish supporters.

If the prediction comes to pass, it would mean that the Green Army would comfortably fill approximately half of the 42,004 capacity Municipal Stadium in Poznan, where they will face Croatia and Italy, and half of the 40,818 capacity PGE Arena in Gdansk for the meeting with Group C favourites Spain. Currently, says Delaney, Ireland are on course to have the fourth-highest support at this summer’s finals.