“Bring on the Germans” was the battle cry from England fans today after Fabio Capello’s team scraped through a nail-biting World Cup clash with Slovenia to secure a place in the next round.

England will now face old rivals Germany on Sunday after a Jermain Defoe goal yesterday sealed a place in the last 16 of the competition.

Schools, pubs and work places throughout Shropshire came to a halt yesterday afternoon as county football fans watched the country’s must-win final Group C match.

And staff at the base of Oswestry firm Newgate Clocks certainly felt the tension. Boss Jim Read had given workers the afternoon off to watch the big game and even supplied the television himself so his workforce would not miss out.

He said: “We can’t really afford to lose the time because we are really busy but on the other hand it is only just one afternoon.” Staff member James Carr said it was “brilliant” to be able to watch the vital game with his colleagues even though the atmosphere was tense.

England manager Capello, who allowed the team to drink beer the night before the game, said his men had rediscovered their spirit. He added: “I’m sure we will play more with confidence.”

Yesterday’s game, and the subsequent celebrations, put extra pressure on Shropshire ambulance crews, bosses revealed today. Call-outs increased dramatically last night, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Murray Macgregor said.