Manchester City supporters continue partying in Istanbul ahead of Champions League final

Manchester City fans continued to party ahead of their Champions League final in Istanbul, drinking pints as the sun rose and the temperature soared to 25°C.

Additional kegs of beer and fresh crates were seen arriving at bars that connect the cramped downtown Nevizade Street in the historic city known as the place where West and East meet.

As the Islamic call to prayer echoed from nearby minarets, they were drowned out by chants of ‘City, City’ as hundreds of fans sat in the sun and soaked up the atmosphere.

A restaurant owner was greeted with cheers as he rolled barrel after barrel down the sloping street from a van that had pulled up with fresh supplies.

Shopkeepers, bar owners and restaurant owners were elated, saying they made a fortune with one telling local media: ‘I’m so, so happy. My business has never been better, people are spending money like crazy and I’m running out of beer.’

Supporters from both sides posed for photos in Istanbul as they soak up the atmosphere

Families and friends gathered in hot spots around the city in anticipation of the game

The crowds face a long, nightmarish journey to Atatürk Olympic Stadium tonight

Dean and Jill Tattersley, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, were among those who flew over to see if City could make history by adding the Champions League to their Premier League title and FA Cup triumphs.

Sister Jill, 43, wore a dress made from a Manchester City flag, she shared Mail sports: ‘We are both season ticket holders and paid £450 for the game and City are going to do it for the NHS.

“We’ve heard it’s a bit of a trip to the ground, so we’ll have a few drinks here and then go there by bus or subway — we can get a little sleep on the journey, because it’s 10 p.m..”

Paul Griffin, from Worsley, Manchester, was in Istanbul with his brother John, three other siblings and their children to make an amazing party of 20 and they had flown in with the official City supporters club.

Paul said: ‘I know it will be difficult to get on the ground, but to put it that way, it’s a four-hour flight from Manchester, so 90 minutes on the bus or tube will be a cinch.

“I was in Porto two years ago when we lost to Chelsea and that was a nice day, but obviously a wrong result – my divorce went better – so now we’re here to make it right.

“I know people say we have spent our way here but compared to some other clubs like Chelsea and United we spend our money wisely.

Bar owners rolled kegs of beer through the streets, much to the delight of their patrons

Supporters wasted little time drinking beer and sunbathing on the day of the final

City supporters in particular are confident ahead of the game as their side chase the Treble

‘In addition, the owners have really invested in that area around East Manchester before it was as rough as old boots, but they have passion and projects and have changed the place.’

Also in Istanbul were Dan Carr, 26, and his girlfriend Shayna Halliwell, 24, both from Bury, who both won the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester United last weekend.

Dan, whose grandfather Tommy Booth played for City in the 1970s and 1980s, making 382 appearances, recounted Mail SporT“I’ve always been a City fan, thanks for my grandfather and this will be huge for us if we win.

“He’s not here, but he’ll be watching and cheering at home. He played most of his career for City and this will mean so much to him and all of us if we win.

“I’ve seen it’s a bit of traveling to the ground and to be honest I’m not quite sure how we’re going to get there just yet, but we’ll have a few drinks here and then continue on our way – we’ll one way or another another way find a way .’

Turkish officials said 125 charter flights from the UK and Italy were expected to land in the three days leading up to the match with thousands of fans.

Health authorities said 48 ambulances and eight temporary medical centers had been set up around the Olympic stadium and 180 doctors and nurses would be on hand.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said 15,000 police officers will be present at the match, which will be played at the same venue where Liverpool made a miraculous comeback in 2005 by beating AC Milan 3-0 at half-time.

Meanwhile, City fan Noel Gallagher was expected to join fans at a bar in San Diego to watch the game ahead of his Saturday night performance in the city.

He is said to have accepted an initiation from the City supporters club in San Diego to watch the game at the Blue Foot Bar.