Three years after the special Euro 2020, which was organized in 11 different countries, postponed for a year, and played in front of half-empty stands due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the best teams of the Old Continent will again compete in a single country. Under more or less normal conditions. According to tradition, the host nation, Germany, will take the opening kick-off, facing Scotland as they look to improve their recent poor record at the start of major tournaments. Germany and Scotland will open the 2024 European Championship this Friday at the Allianz Arena in Munich (22:00), where the hosts will aim to prove to their fans that they have what it takes to reach the top spot on the podium, while the British team will attempt to surprise and secure their first tournament win since 1996.Welcome to the EURO 2024!Exactly 1,069 days after Italy crowned itself as the best team in Europe, the ball will start rolling at the highest continental tournament for national teams. For a month, Germany will become the epicenter of the football world, and the Mannschaft intends to bring the enthusiasm of the entire country to the pitch, a country that has been gearing up for the tournament for several weeks. To achieve this, Julian Nagelsmann’s squad will have to break their poor streak in opening matches of major tournaments. Germany has suffered three consecutive defeats, first losing to Mexico 1-0 at the 2018 World Cup, then to France 1-0 at the 2020 European Championship, and finally to Japan 2-1 at the 2022 World Cup. Nagelsmann’s team features one of the best squads in the competition, refreshed after several past failures, with a wealth of young talent accompanied by a group of experienced players in such tournaments. They are all capable of bringing Germany back to the pinnacle of European football after a 28-year wait. Jamal Musiala and Toni Kroos are undoubtedly the leaders of the team, which bases its play on high pressing and the verticality provided by players like Florian Wirtz and Leroy Sané.ENDLICH! 🔥 Let the games begin!Mit euch an unserer Seite! 🖤❤️💛⚽ 21:00 Uhr 📺 ZDF + Magenta TV#dfbteam #euro2024 #gersco pic.twitter.com/OQcmcoXDju— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) June 14, 2024 In Group A, the Germans will face Hungary, Switzerland, and Scotland. The form of Nagelsmann’s men will be a major question mark, as they missed the entire qualification campaign as the host nation. It’s impossible to say they have shined in friendly matches, having lost to Turkey and Austria, and drawn with Ukraine. However, they did manage to beat Greece in their most recent match. Germany has much to improve upon, as they have failed to progress to the knockout stages in two of the last three major international tournaments. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old head coach Julian Nagelsmann is confident of success.”This is a huge opportunity and chance for me and all the players to give our best. The fact that the championship is being held in Germany naturally brings more responsibility and stress. However, it also brings more enthusiasm and joy. If we can transfer that joy and enthusiasm onto the pitch, we will surely have a great tournament” Nagelsmann remarked.The Germans have nothing to hide; players’ salaries are out in the openPlayers like Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, and Timo Werner did not make the German squad, and Nagelsmann recently lost midfielder Alexander Pavlovic to injury. Of course, all eyes will be on Toni Kroos, the Champions League winner with Real Madrid, who will be playing his final competitive matches in a distinguished career. The three-time European and four-time World Champion Germany will face a tough debut against the resilient Scottish team. In the qualification phase, Scotland demonstrated strong defensive organization and the ability to punish any mistakes by their opponents, notably defeating Spain. Their aerial strength and the significant presence of Scott McTominay in the midfield could pose a threat to the goal guarded by Manuel Neuer.Lehmann: ‘England have mentality problems’Regarding the head-to-head battles, Germany has secured three consecutive victories against the Tartan Army, with the last encounter ending in a 3-2 victory in September 2015. Scotland has not beaten Germany since 1999, when they won a friendly match 1-0 in Bremen. Scotland has had to cope with unexpected and unpleasant situations, as their forward Lyndon Dykes was injured during training. Additionally, Liverpool’s winger Ben Doak has not managed to recover in time.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGEFriday22.00: (1.30) Germany (5.20) Scotland (11.0)Saturday16.00: (3.20) Hungary (3.30) Switzerland (2.30)19.00: (1.90) Spain (3.50) Croatia (4.20)22.00: (1.42) Italy (4.30) Albania (8.50)Sunday 16.00: (5.70) Poland (3.80) Netherlands (1.63)19.00: (5.00) Slovenia (3.50) Denmark (1.75)22.00: (7.50) Serbia (4.40) England (1.50)***odds are subject to change***
