Sport

Scots party in Munich ahead of Euro 2024's opening game against Germany

Wearing kilts and filling the air with the strains of bagpipes, Scotland's "Tartan Army" descended on Munich for Friday's opening game of Euro 2024 where their side face a tough clash against hosts Germany, AFP reports.

With chants of "no Scotland, no party", tens of thousands of fans flocked to the southern German city to enjoy the atmosphere -- and a beer or two -- ahead of the match.

"Couldn't miss it, no chance of that," said Stuart Webster, 48, who made the 13,500-kilometre (8,500-mile) trip from Rockingham, Western Australia for the game.

"We don't make every tournament, so we had to go to this one," said Webster, who travelled with his two sons, one of whom was wrapped in a Scottish flag.

There is a quiet hope that Scotland can get a good enough result against Germany to help them qualify for the knockout rounds -- a feat the team has never achieved at a major tournament.

"I'm a bit of a veteran, so I know how it normally goes but fingers crossed," said Webster.

Many of the fans headed to the historic Marienplatz square in central Munich, where they belted out tunes in praise of star player John McGinn and kicked a ball around.

Members of the Stephen family from Aberdeenshire were meeting with family ahead of the game, with relatives travelling from Doha and Norway.

"If we get a draw, I would be delighted," said Robert Stephen, 64, adding that the fans would "have a party" whatever the result.

All in all, some 60,000 Scottish fans are expected in Munich around the opening fixture of the tournament, according to local officials.

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