PUB landlords in York are enjoying a boost to business after screening early matches from the European championships, with Polish, Dutch and German fans flocking to watch their teams in action.

And sports bars are expected to be packed out with England fans this evening for the nation’s first match against France, which kicks off at 5pm.

Paul Gardner, owner of The Terrace in Fossgate, said about 100 Polish fans turned up to watch their team’s opening match against Greece on Friday.

“We have had some Dutch and German fans in for their games as well,” he said. “We are expecting a full house of 320 fans for the England game, which we are showing on all 13 screens.”

Sally Lowther, deputy manager of the Keystones pub, near Monk Bar, said it had already been busy with tourists from various countries coming in to see their nations play, and she expected it to be packed to its 100 capacity for tonight’s and other England games.

Jon-Paul Turnbull, relief manager at The Knavesmire, in Albermarle Road, said it was showing virtually every game and he hoped for a good turnout from fans tonight. “I hope it will provide a boost to business,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service is urging England fans to drink responsibly during tonight’s match and other European Championships games.

Dave Macklin, associate medical director, said extra resources would be utilised during the busiest times of the competition, but he wanted the service’s highly-trained staff to be available for the people who really needed them.

He said there was a link between major sporting occasions and heavy drinking which resulted in an increase in alcohol-related medical emergencies.

“We are not saying people shouldn’t enjoy themselves, but unfortunately ambulance clinicians have to pick up the pieces following alcohol-fuelled incidents,” he said. “Our valuable life-saving resources are often caught up responding to these calls, which perhaps could have been avoided.”