Scotland fans have flocked to Munich ahead of the opening match of the Euro 2024 against hosts Germany tonight.
It is estimated that almost four percent of Scotland’s population will travel to Germany for the group stages, with their team taking part in their first major tournament abroad since France 1998. Supporters were already in attendance, including an enthusiastic bagpiper who fell over from a table as he serenaded a packed bar of Scottish supporters in Munich on Thursday evening.
On the pitch, Scotland’s recent form since securing European Championship qualification has been poor, including the late defeat to Finland at Hampden Park last week.
But captain Andy Robertson insists the Scots are up for the challenge as they aim to become the first side in the country’s history to progress beyond the group stages of a major tournament.
Who is in the Scotland squad?
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ryan Jack (Rangers), Kenny McLean (Norwich), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Tommy Conway (Bristol City), James Forrest (Celtic), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).
Who is in Scotland’s Euro 2024 group?
Scotland is in Group A alongside hosts Germany, Hungary and Switzerland.
What is the tournament format?
The top two teams from each group of four qualify for the round of 16, along with the top four third-place teams. The tournament will then follow a one-leg knockout format until the champion is crowned in the final.
What are the group matches for the 2024 European Championship in Scotland?
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14th of June: versus Germany, Munich, 8pm (BST), ITV
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June 19: versus Switzerland, Cologne, 8pm (BST), BBC
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June 23: versus Hungary, Stuttgart, 8pm (BST), BBC
Full fixtures and results of Euro 2024
Scotland’s potential route to the Euro 2024 final
By Oliver Blair
If Scotland finish first in their group:
As unlikely as it seems, winning the group would give Scotland a match against Group C runners-up, likely Denmark. From there they would face the winner of Group B – probably Spain – and then probably Portugal in the semi-finals.
If Scotland finish second in their group:
If Scotland manage to beat Hungary and Switzerland for second place in Group A, they will face Group B runners-up, which will most likely be Italy or Croatia, in the round of 16. In this scenario, Scotland could face England in the quarter-finals if they can progress and England top their group, ahead of France in the semi-finals and Portugal in the final.
If Scotland qualify from third place:
Scotland exiting the group stage via third place feels like the most likely outcome. They would then face a group winner, from B, E or F, including Spain, Italy, Croatia, Belgium or Portugal.
Spain are favorites at the top of Group B, but the others would pose an equally tough challenge for Scotland.
How do I buy Scotland tickets?
Fans can request tickets for each team via the UEFA Euro 2024 ticket portal.
What’s the latest Scotland news?
Andy Robertson has urged his Scotland team to achieve ‘legendary’ status and make history at this summer’s European Championship as they aim to become the first side in the country’s history to reach the group stage of a major tournament.
Robertson, the Liverpool defender and Scotland captain, said the players have no intention of leaving Germany with any regrets as they look to move past their disappointing performance at Euro 2020.
Germany are heavy favorites for the tournament opener, but Robertson insisted Scotland are ready for the challenge that awaits them at the Allianz Arena. Scotland will then take on Switzerland and Hungary in their group, with most observers expecting these three teams to battle to progress against Germany.
“Qualifying for the European Championships was huge for us and to then achieve two in a row was incredible,” said Robertson. “But now we want to compete. Last time we thought it could have been better. This time we don’t want to have any regrets.
“What’s the worst that can happen? Are we going to the long list of teams that failed to leave the group? That’s the worst that can happen. So let’s start from there and move on from there. We believe we can be the team that can make history.”
What is the latest Germany news?
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said Scotland are a dangerous team who will try to take advantage of the pressure the hosts are under when they meet in the opening match of Euro 2024 on Friday, but he sees confidence in his players and a hunger for good luck.
“Scotland is not a team full of world stars, but that makes them dangerous because they are very agile players who give everything, with a classic Scottish mentality,” he told a press conference on Thursday.
Although Germany is feeling the pressure and tension ahead of the tournament’s opening match, it was necessary, Nagelsmann added, and the team is fully fit and prepared.
“When I look in the eyes of my players… I see a lot of belief and confidence, and that’s what I want… we have home advantage, we want to win.”
“We can beat the pressure, and we can beat Scotland too.”
Germany have won four World Cups and three European championship titles, but their stellar tournament reputation has been somewhat tarnished by a series of failures since their 2014 World Cup victory in Brazil.
They exited the next two World Cups in the group stages, their worst performance in more than 80 years, and exited the last European Championship in the round of 16.
“We will have more pressure on us than Scotland and they will want to take advantage of that,” said Nagelsmann, who took over as Germany manager in October 2023.
Scotland can create chances and maintain possession and will put pressure on the German defense in the Group A match. “We have to stay focused to prevent crosses,” he added.
What are Scotland’s chances of winning Euro 2024?
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England: 7/2
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France: 4/1
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Germany: 11/2
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Spain: 8/1
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Portugal: 8/1
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Italy: 14/1
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Belgium: 16/1
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Netherlands: 16/1
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Croatia: 40/1
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Denmark: 40/1
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Scotland: 100/1
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