Glastonbury festival effectively got under way a day early last night as an estimated 60,000 festivalgoers gathered to watch England lose their Euro 2004 quarter-final against Portugal on big screens outside the main Pyramid stage.

A mixed crowd of boisterous football supporters and relaxed music fans were drawn into the drama as the game went first to extra time, and finally to sudden death penalties. As England lost out with the 12th penalty kick, the huge crowd was of united opinion: "Why does it always happen like this?"

Spirits picked up later as the crowd dispersed through the site with areas such as Lost Vagueness and the Green Fields in full swing by midnight.

Rumours of a mudbath were being scotched as dry weather on Thursday afternoon and through into Friday morning made paths firm. Forecasts predict light rain for Saturday afternoon.

50,000 had already arrived by lunchtime Thursday with more arriving steadily throughout the afternoon and on Friday morning. In total 150,000 revellers are expected to attend this year's festival.

The usual queues for toilets and showers were in evidence, with would-be bathers being advised of a two-hour wait at the Greenpeace showers.