Excitement builds in Mansfield for World Cup semi-final

The White Swan has been preparing for the game since 6AM.

The England squad are hoping to secure their first final appearance since 1966 when they take on Croatia in tonight in Moscow at 7pm.

Mansfield pubs have been busy preparing for the town to get into the football spirit.

Roz, the manager of the Oak Tree on Southwell Rd West said that the atmosphere was 'nervous'.

She said: "We're ready for the game, we have opened up our function room and we have eight screens. We've borrowed staff from other pubs as we're expecting to be really busy."

Tammy, a supervisor at the Green Dragon on Leeming Street said that this afternoon was the "calm before the storm", as they expect an influx of football fans this evening.

And the White Swan has been preparing for the game since 6AM.

Jamie Harrison, events manager said: "Prep is well underway. The staff have been working hard getting the venue ready with 3 outdoor bars as well our main bar to get people served quicker the whole set up started at around 6am this morning."

"We are expecting to have similar crowd to last time as we reached capacity before kick off. Once we get there it’s one in one out."