A group of UK expats saunter around Kingston on Saturday afternoon, basking in the sun (relatively speaking) and support from the suburb's more Anglo-Celtic residents.

"We've been walking around Canberra with our face paint on, people are saying 'it's coming home!'," British soccer superfan Donna Furber said.

Even if England is left empty handed after the Euro final against Italy this Monday morning Australia time, Ms Furber and friend Sam Battershill said they feel like they've already won.

"It's the first final in 55 years," Mr Battershill said.

"I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime to be honest.

"I feel like we've done really well to get to where we are, so I'm happy for the boys to even get to a final. If we lose we're all gonna be sad, but we're proud of what they've done just to get here."

For most of the crowd gathered at the Durham Castle Arms pub, England's World Cup Final win at Wembley Stadium in 1966 is but a legend.

The team beat West Germany 4-2 with time to spare, but the nation - which considers itself the birthplace of the world's most popular sport - has been woefully letdown by the team in the years since.

For some expats, this final - away from friends and family at home - is bittersweet.

While Canberrans diligently wore masks and socially distanced on wide near-empty suburban streets, UK cities have been brimming with manic football fans.

Blood may well have already be lining the streets two days ago, as England fans screamed and streamed in celebration of the nation's 2-1 win over Denmark in the semi-finals.

And while loved ones in the UK pack into tiny flats and terraces; choking on microwaved steak and kidney pies, packets of crisps and the stench of warm beer on grand final night, Canberra-based fans will be forced to sit with each other at 4am at the Durham.

Luckily, as is tradition, there will be Guinness and a hot English breakfast on hand.

"In a way you can't see your family, but games like this can bring the English community together," said Ms Furber.

"We all support different teams during the year but when England play we all come together as a community."

One of the expats - who this publication has graciously granted anonymity - admits a win on Monday might precipitate a day off work.

But the fans remain only cautiously optimistic.

"We are a bit of an underdog against Italy, but we've got our mini striker Harry Kane and hopefully we can bring it home," Mr Battershill said.

Ms Furber calls watching her team "like walking on eggshells".

Still, when asked whether they had anything pertinent to add the fans didn't have to think hard.

"It's coming home!" they said.

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