Euro 2024: Hosts open tournament against Scotland

Hosts of the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship, Germany will kick off the competition on Friday, June 13, with a clash with Scotland at the Allianz Arena.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side is one of the favorites for the trophy, especially after achieving stability under him with a four-match unbeaten run with three wins and a draw. However, the Germans have disappointed in their last three consecutive major tournaments.

However, Germany is one of the best performers at the Euros, with three titles to their name and twenty-seven wins overall. In the modern era, Germany has been one of the overall favorites in the last four editions of the tournament, reaching the semifinals three times in those four. 

They start with Scotland on Friday and hope that they continue the trend of the last two host nations in winning their opening game of the tournaments. Germany warmed up to the Euro Championships with a friendly draw against Ukraine and a 2-1 win over Greece. 

Underdogs Scotland, led by Steve Clarke, ran a Cinderella in the qualifiers, winning their first five matches, including a 2-0 win over Spain, although their form went downhill in their next nine matches, where they won just once with three draws and five losses.

There are two warm-up matches before the tournaments, including the 20 win over Gibraltar and a 2-2 draw with Finland in their last match. Scotland skipper Andy Robertson says that the team knows what is at stake and they will do their best.

“We know that’s what’s at stake. We’ve got a lot of incentive but one is becoming that legendary squad – that has to drive us forward. We have to be at our best and if we can do that, who knows where we’ll be come June 23. The first Euros was massive for us, but now we want to compete,” said Robertson.