Germany, the hosts, will play Scotland in the opening match of Euro 2024 on Friday in Munich. The three-time continental winners hope that their adventure will end on July 14 in Berlin with victory in the final.
After losing in the group stages of the World Cups in 2018 and 2022, as well as three consecutive terrible tournaments, Julian Nagelsmann’s team will attempt to restore Germany’s standing among Europe’s elite teams.
Last year’s three victories out of 11 games lowered already low expectations, but under Nagelsmann, things have steadily improved, and fan excitement has grown.
Germany is hoping to replicate the magic that helped reignite support for the national team during a similar period of doldrums. This is their first major tournament as hosts since the 2006 World Cup.
The 36-year-old Nagelsmann stated on Thursday, “I think it’s normal that you feel a little bit of pressure before a tournament and before important games like these.”
“The players are hungry for better results than they have in the previous tournaments; they are fired up and want it.”
Nagelsmann continued, “I want the nation to support us; we want to take advantage of the home advantage.” With players like rising stars Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala and seasoned playmaker Toni Kroos, Germany is expected to win Group A, which also includes Hungary and Switzerland.
Germany lost in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, and captain Ilkay Gundogan, who participated in the previous two World Cups, thought it was crucial that the hosts got off to a strong start.
“The first game is like no other,” the Barcelona midfielder remarked. You can then carry over the excitement and enthusiasm for the following ones.
Thus, winning the game tomorrow is the most crucial objective. An approximate of 150,000 Scottish travelers have arrived in Munich for the inaugural match, hoping to surprise the Germans in their own backyard.
Since 1998, this is only Scotland’s second big competition. At Euro 2020, they made a comeback to the big stage, although they were eliminated from the group and only managed a point in a dull 0-0 draw against England.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke stated, “We know it’s a big game, but for us it’s the opening game of a four-team section, three matches. We know what we have to do to qualify and that’s all we focus on.” It’s a challenging game.
I’ve always lived by the maxim “respect everyone, fear none.” After facing the Germans, matches against Switzerland and Hungary seem to provide a simpler route to the four points Clarke needs to make his first-ever major tournament knockout rounds. Andy Robertson, the captain of Scotland, thinks his team has what it takes to advance past the group stage.
We are aware of the stakes. We have many reasons to succeed, but one of the most important ones is building a legendary team, which must propel us ahead,” the Liverpool defender stated. “It’s crucial that we give it our all because if we do, we can make some history.
This game has been anticipated for a long time. In Munich’s cultural center, Marienplatz square, Scots have taken over with their kilts, bagpipes, and beers in hand.
“One of the bars ran out of beer yesterday,” remarked Ogg, 63, who traveled from Perth, Scotland, together with his sons.
Many fans from Scotland traveled to Germany to see the game in the fan zone without having match tickets; instead, they took flights, trains, or, in the case of Mareth Wilson and her family, an overnight ship.
Even German communities that aren’t hosting games have created watching spaces with large screens and plenty of beverages for the upcoming football month.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to throng the green-carpeted fan mile leading up to the famous Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the nation’s capital, which has been transformed into the “largest football goal in the world” for the Scotland match.
The other match in the section is Hungary vs. Switzerland on Saturday in Cologne, before Spain plays Croatia in the first Group B match in Berlin.
Italy, the reigning champions, play Albania in Dortmund to wrap off the action on day two.
