Euro 2024 has arrived, with Germany hosting the continent and kicking off the month-long event this evening with a Group A clash against Scotland.
Confidence has been growing among the Germans, who believe they are peaking at the right time after a turbulent period under Julian Nagelsmann. Some key players are in strong form, and the return of Toni Kroos has bolstered their elite ranks.
For Scotland, simply being at the tournament marks significant progress under Steve Clarke, despite a number of setbacks. With three teams potentially advancing from the four-nation group stage, Clarke knows that tonight’s result is not necessarily decisive. Nevertheless, the Scots will want to show they are ready to take on the best and cause an upset, with the eyes of the world on Munich on day one.
When is Germany vs Scotland?
The opening match of Euro 2024 kicks off at 8pm BST on Friday, 14 June 2024.
How can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast on ITV and STV and can be streamed via ITV X and the STV Player. Every match at Euro 2024 is free-to-air on BBC or ITV (and STV) in the UK.
Team news
Germany’s preparation has been relatively smooth in terms of fitness, although Serge Gnabry was ruled out before the tournament and Champions League finalist Mats Hummels was left out of the squad. The biggest change is the return of Toni Kroos from international retirement, though he will retire from all football at the end of the Euros. Kai Havertz appears to have earned a starting spot up front, with Nagelsmann likely to field a trio of Ilkay Gundogan, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala behind him. Aleksandar Pavlovic was the only late withdrawal, due to tonsillitis.
Scotland has faced considerable misfortune. Lyndon Dykes was ruled out due to injury shortly after being named in the squad, Ben Doak did not make it due to his own injury, and Lewis Ferguson suffered an injury just before the end of the campaign. This leaves at least one spot up for grabs in attack, with Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland competing for the starting role. The contributions of John McGinn and Scott McTominay will be even more crucial.
Predicted lineups
Germany: Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Mittelstadt; Kroos, Andrich, Musiala; Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz.
Scotland: Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Ralston, McTominay, McGregor, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn, Adams.
Odds
Germany: 1/4 • Draw: 5/1 • Scotland: 10/1
The Tartan Army arrives in Munich
Thousands of Scotland fans brought Munich’s central square to a standstill yesterday as they flocked to bars to enjoy steins of lager, 24 hours before the Euros even begin in Germany.
Steve Clarke’s men face the hosts in the tournament’s opening game tomorrow night. However, kilt-clad Scots supporters are already in a celebratory mood, bringing a taste of the Highlands to Bavaria.
The Tartan Army, known for their raucousness, took over Marienplatz, with a bagpiper standing on a plinth and playing “Flower of Scotland” to lead the crowd in song. Fans downed steins of lager, waved Scottish flags and scarves, and expressed hope that they would see Scotland progress past the opening round of a major tournament for the first time. They have been drawn in Group A alongside Switzerland and Hungary.
This marks Scotland’s second major tournament appearance since the 1998 World Cup in France, following their participation in the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 finals.
Scotland have the honour of opening the tournament by facing Germany in the first match tomorrow, and their supporters have already made a noticeable impact in the Bavarian capital. However, not everything has gone smoothly, with footage showing a piper standing on a table to entertain fans in a beer hall before toppling backwards onto the floor.
Tens of thousands of Scotland supporters are expected to make the journey this summer for what is only their second major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France, and early indications suggest it has been a thirsty endeavour.
Paul Malik, who was at Glasgow Airport yesterday, tweeted that the terminal’s Tennent’s bar had run out of lager by 9am. X user Chris McCall added: ‘I’m told it was the same at Edinburgh airport last night. An angry pal was left drinking Stella.’
