It’s nearly time. In fact, it is time. Niall McVeigh has fired up tonight’s MBM report for the small matter of Germany v Scotland in Munich:
The opening match of Euro 2024 kicks off in a little over two hours’ time, so be sure to follow it all with Niall. Thanks for reading and emailing in today and enjoy the tournament. Bye!
“We are going on a bike trip in Scotland,” emails David. “We saw how many Scottish fans are in Munich, living it up in the beer gardens. We wonder if anybody will be home when we arrive in Glasgow tomorrow?”
Switzerland fans.
Germany fans.
Scotland fans.
Italy fans.
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“Ran a sweep at work today and only had nine names in the hat at 9am,” emails Matt.
“By 1pm it was full and a new one started. I can safely say Euros Fever started around midday.
“Teams as biscuits? England. Rich Tea. Very strong, but then add the dunk ...”
As you may have spotted earlier in the week, England’s team hotel in Blankenhain looks quite tasty:
The English version of the hotel website, in fact, features a relaxing dash of ambient music with a slightly unnerving voiceover.
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Two and a half hours to go until Scotland kick off against Germany.
Who is excited?
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A quick breakdown of the content on offer over the next month.
We’ve got Euro 2024 team guides, a complete guide to all 622 players, tables, fixtures, live scores, and Golden Boot standings for when the goals start flying in.
All the latest Euro 2024 content can be found here on our tournament homepage.
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Chelsea are unsure over whether to press ahead with a move for Jhon Durán despite being given permission to discuss personal terms with the Aston Villa striker.
Villa are ready to offload the Colombian, who is valued at £40m. Some at Villa are believed to have raised questions about his attitude and Chelsea are conducting background checks. His wage demands are another potential obstacle. Chelsea have been trying to cut their wage bill and have adopted a policy of handing out long and heavily incentivised contracts.
Serbia will take inspiration from Iceland’s recent victory at Wembley as they plot to surprise England on Sunday, according to their centre-forward Dusan Vlahovic.
The meeting in Gelsenkirchen will be Serbia’s first at a European Championship in its current form and the hope is that a talented but mercurial side will step up to the plate. They bowed out after the group stage of the past two World Cups but Vlahovic, who forms part of a potentially formidable attack, sees a blueprint for early success in the way England were tamed a week ago.
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A bit more from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford below after his media session around lunchtime. Firstly, on arriving at his fourth major tournament with his country:
“It’s always exciting,” Pickford said. “To be my fourth one is quality. I’ve got to keep performing for my club, which I think I have done. It’s a major honour to be in my fourth major tournament.”
How important is John Stones? “With Stonesy, I remember playing in Germany at Under 19 level, and he’s really stepped up [with Manchester City and England] … I’ve known him for a long time. Top player … he’s one of the best centre-backs in the world. For England he’s been quality, the amount of caps he’s got. Top lad as well.”
It will be a new-look England back four. Does that matter? “It doesn’t affect me. A lot of the lads I’ve played with anyway over the last 12 to 18 months … everyone who’s in the squad is there for what they’ve done for their club.”
England kick off against Serbia on Sunday and you can read our team guide for the Three Lions here:
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“This is insane … that’s a big blessing.”
I mentioned this earlier, but Eberechi Eze’s reaction to seeing a new mural of him being unveiled in south London is well worth a second look:
A special mural of @EbereEze10 has been painted in South London ahead of #EURO2024 🎨
— England (@England) June 14, 2024
After seeing footage of it, here's what it means to him... ❤️ pic.twitter.com/miwWyyyCcx
Will the Crystal Palace playmaker get a start in Germany? We live in hope.
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If only the Germans had a word for “zeitgeist”. There’s a football tournament starting here on Friday, not that you would necessarily know it. Indeed, from a cursory trawl of Thursday’s media what was most striking of all was the absence of Euros-buzz, the suspicion that there are bigger priorities out there. “CANCER,” screamed the front page of Bild, just in case you were thinking of getting too excited. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is missing the opening game to attend the G7 in Italy. The sports bulletins were dominated by the sudden resignation of the Borussia Dortmund coach, Edin Terzic. On the Kicker website, the first Euro 2024 news appeared some way below a story about RB Leipzig’s summer transfer business.
Luka Modric, England’s tormentor-in-chief at the World Cup back in 2018, will be 39 in September. But don’t talk to him about swan songs just yet, writes Aleksandar Holiga:
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Manchester United 'bid for Everton's Branthwaite'
In non-Euro 2024 news Manchester United have reportedly lodged a £45m bid for the Everton defender, Jarrad Branthwaite. He is of course in Germany with the England squad at the moment, so he’s got more than enough on his plate.
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What have Euro 2024’s photographers been up to? Here are some examples:
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From 100 days ago, here is Jonathan Liew on the poor organisation and other problems in Germany that hampered the buildup to Euro 2024:
“The greatest myth Germany ever sold the world was its own efficiency. Virtually everything here closes on a Sunday. Most small shops only accept cash. Companies still communicate by fax. Even the simplest administrative tasks drown in the weight of their own absurd bureaucracy. When I was finally granted German residency – a process that took almost a year, required four appointments with various government agencies and the services of a notary – I was informed, by post, that I could access my permit online by downloading an app. The instructions for downloading the app arrived several weeks later, also by post. The app did not work.”
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“If it’s political, don’t feel compelled to answer, but I don’t understand the photo showing Che Guevara on the Scotland flag,” emails Joe Pearson. “But then again, I’m from the Midwest, so there’s probably something obvious I’m missing.”
Look closer and you’ll see the flag says “Che Macguevera”.
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Germany fans answered coach Julian Nagelsmann’s call to “please be loud” on Friday, descending on Munich’s medieval Marienplatz in their thousands to party with Scotland supporters before the opening match of Euro 2024.
Scottish fans clad in kilts have dominated the city centre for the last few days, playing bagpipes, chanting and endearing themselves to the locals, but Germany fans emerged to join the excitement.
“I’m really happy it is getting started now and I am sure there will be a great atmosphere. I think there will only be a few times that Germany hosts a tournament like this, so we need to make the absolute most of it,” said Benny Kuehnel, 32, a software developer from Stuttgart.
Jutta Huelsheger, 54, had travelled across Germany to be in the Munich fan zone in the city’s Olympic Park for the opening game. Eight hours ahead of kick off, it was a struggle to find a spot in front of the giant screen by a lake. The fan zone will hold 25,000 spectators. “I wanted to be here for the opening game, to absorb all the atmosphere and joy. I’m amazed at how full it is already,” she said.
Germany have won four World Cups and three European Championships but their stellar tournament reputation has been somewhat tarnished by a series of failures since their 2014 World Cup victory in Brazil. They went out of the next two World Cups in the group stage, their worst showing in more than 80 years, and exited the last Euros in the round of 16. Fans are desperate for a fresh start and some new hope.
Fabian Schroeder, a 33-year-old engineer, strolled through the fan zone in a Germany football shirt and a red kilt. “This is to create good relations,” he said. Asked if he thought Germany might relive the party atmosphere it enjoyed when hosting the 2006 World Cup, he said: “I hope so. The country needs it.”
Mention that tournament and many Germans get misty eyed, recalling a summer of sunshine and an unprecedented freedom to wave their national flags and explore their identity as a relatively newly reunified country. The World Cup triggered a wave of support for the Germany team that reached the semi-finals, with millions packing into the fan zones set up across the country every evening.
Scottish fans praised their German hosts. “We’ve had a really great time so far. The Germans have been very friendly,” said Duncan Kellock, 70, from Alva near Stirling in Scotland. “I don’t think you can find a better host country,” said Robert Holland, a 52-year-old solicitor from Edinburgh. (Reuters)
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The lineup tomorrow is as follows:
Hungary v Switzerland (2pm BST)
Spain v Croatia (5pm)
Italy v Albania (8pm)
Below are all the relevant teams guides, so you can get to grips with the teams, and impress friends and acquaintances with your in-depth knowledge:
Spain’s social media team have helpfully posted their match dates in Group B.
Croatia tomorrow (5pm), Italy (!!?) next Thursday, 8pm, Albania on Monday 24 June.
Gosh, that’s a spicy group. Isn’t this all very exciting?
🗓️ Somos conscientes de que te sabes al dedillo el calendario de la @SEFutbol en esta Fase de Grupos.
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 14, 2024
Peeeeero, si lo quieres tener a mano, y además así de bonito, aquí lo tienes 😜.#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/HxEl6X4F1z
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From roof top lounges to city meadows, most famously the so-called ‘Fanmeile’ at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, spots which Germans refer to simply as ‘Public Viewing’ have sprung up across the country, from where fans can watch the Euros on large screens. Accompanied by kiosks serving beer and sausages, they are popular during tournaments even with non-football fans, and create an atmosphere which has become one of the major success stories of German football.
Perhaps one of the most unusual Public Viewing spaces though, and attractive to those who might find the regular meeting points a little rowdy, is in Berlin’s Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche, or Memorial Church, on Breitcheid Platz, where musicians will accompany tonight’s opening match - one, on the organ, the other on the piano - in what has been dubbed an ‘Organ Duel’. Sebastian Heindl, representing Germany, will interpret the match as it happens, on the organ, whilst Briton Jack Day, will do the same on the piano, representing Scotland. At half time the musicians will swap instruments.
“Deeper, stormy tones will denote the drama on the pitch, lighter ones dribbling or bell-like tones for the referee’s whistle,” Heindl said in an interview with German media. “If Germany is in possession of the ball, I’ll be playing, if Scotland, Jack will take over”.
The project was inspired by the era of silent film when organists used to accompany film projections, sometimes with a pre-arranged score, sometimes playing off the cuff.
The Memorial Church, under the slogan: “Welcome in Blue”, a reference to its large trademark blue stained glass windows, hopes to be a refuge from the hurly burly of the Euros. “We hope to be a place where fans can come who need a bit of peace and quiet, where they can light a candle, or say a prayer,” a spokesperson said.
Tickets for the Organ Duel are free, and can be reserved here.
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As mentioned below, a little while back:
Denmark’s male footballers have decided to refuse a pay rise for playing for the national team in order to ensure their female counterparts get equal basic pay, the global players’ union Fifpro said on Friday.
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If you were wondering what time it will be in Delhi when Italy kick off against Albania tomorrow, the answer is midnight.
🔜🇮🇹🇦🇱 | 🕐 🕝 🕡@ITAAirways #Azzurri #Nazionale #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/9HWT56wHPe
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) June 14, 2024
Italy’s linchpin midfielder Nicolò Barella is likely to be available for the champions’ opener at Euro 2024 against Albania tomorrow after recovering from a minor injury, coach Luciano Spalletti said. Asked about Barella’s fitness following a muscle problem, Spalletti said he came through a training session on Thursday with no problems.
“Yesterday he did everything,” the former Napoli coach said, adding the squad were due to hold a light training session on Friday. “We will see what happens today. We will see how he feels,” he said, adding that the medical team had to be careful given Barella’s recent problems. “But as of yesterday evening, everything suggests that he will be available.”
Barella was at the heart of Internazional’s Serie A-winning team last season and was a key member of the Italy side that won Euro 2020. But he missed Italy’s final two friendlies before this year’s tournament with a muscle strain.
Italy will also face Spain and Croatia in what looks like the toughest group , putting pressure on the Azzurri to get all three points in Dortmund.
“The first game is always important and we have two games later that are difficult,” Italy goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma said. “A win tomorrow gives us a bit more peace of mind.”
Nearly half of Albania’s squad members play in Italy’s Serie A league, meaning they would be well prepared, Donnarumma added. “They are very, very fast,” he said. “We must be careful not to get stretched because they are very good on the counterattack.” (Reuters)
Pickford: nothing would make England prouder than lifting trophy
Jordan Pickford just had a chat with the media before England’s opener against Serbia.
“[Staying up with Everton was a] big relief … you learn from those experiences … you’ve got lads here, for instance Jude Bellingham, who’s just won the Champions League … those experiences all blend together to help make you successful at a big tournament.”
Was he worried about losing his England place, in view of Everton’s relegation battle? “I always think – how can I get better? It’s always great to have competition. That makes me want to improve. I want to keep pushing forward. They [the other keepers] need to chase me. There’s a lot of good goalkeepers in the setup.
England have kept two clean sheets in seven games: is that a problem? “We’ve played some top opponents. [And Iceland. Ed.] Clean sheets are key to win the tournaments. For us it’s about getting as many clean sheets as we can … we’ll be ready come Sunday.”
Next a question about Harry Kane being the leading scorer in England’s history: “Harry is an example for us to look at,” Pickford says. “Season by season with his club, the goals he scores, and with England … it’s the example we need. In training it’s not nice for a goalkeeper, but it’s playing with the best.”
And next, an inquiry about being one of the leading appearance-makers for England in goal, along with the likes of Peter Shilton and David Seaman: “I just keep focusing on myself. It’s nice to be up there with them sort of legends of goalkeepers … it’s wearing this shirt with pride.”
How does he relax away from training and playing? “The setup is always good. We’ve got a couple of golf courses [at the hotel], and I like my golf.
“Table tennis, dart board … there’s lots of things to do and we all have a bit of craic.
On Sunday’s oppenents Serbia: “[Aleksandar] Mitrovic is a quality player. We’ve got to be ready for them … each individual role, we’ve got to be at our best and keep them at bay.
What about Dusan Vlahovic? “He’s a top player. Two individuals in a very good side. We need to take the game on and get a result.
Who is the best goalie in the world? “There’s a few. [Thibaut] Courtois has had a big injury. Before that I’d say he was the best. You can take your pick. Everyone’s different. Whoever you prefer.”
And finally: a message to the fans? “That’s our goal [winning the trophy]. But you know, the most important thing for us is to win the first game, get out of the group, focus on each game as it comes … it takes a lot of hard work … nothing would make me prouder than lifting that trophy – but you can’t look too far ahead.
“All the England fans will be rooting for us and I know they will have a good few days on the booze. So that’ll be good.”
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Jordan Pickford is having a chat now. The England goalkeeper.
Thanks John. Funnily enough my Glastonbury ticket arrived yesterday – along with a polling card for the general election. Fair play to the postman, he’s delivered in a big way there.
See you down the front for Coldplay, yes?
Right, that’s Luke McLaughlin back in the chair, with the hippest sounds.
Play this song in a German disco and it goes off…I’m told. You may remember it as the theme to multilingual crossover TV hit Deutschland ‘83 from a few years back.
Here’s a TV appearance from Peter Schilling (not Bowie). Some great music awaits visitors to Germany; it’s not all lager and schlager.
Denmark's men refuse pay hike to ensure equal pay
Per Reuters – Denmark’s male footballers have decided to refuse a pay rise for playing for the national team in order to ensure their female counterparts get equal basic pay.
The national football association (DBU) had been looking to ensure equal pay for both teams but players from both squads were not in favour of taking money from the men’s team to pay the women. The players’ union, Spillerforeningen, and the men’s players instead came up with a plan under which the men would refuse a pay rise and both teams would receive the same basic remuneration for appearing for the national side.
A 15 percent decrease in the men’s team insurance coverage also allowed them to upgrade the women’s team coverage by 50 percent as well as that of the Under-21 men’s team by more than 40%. The new four-year agreement with the DBU will come into effect after the European Championship.
“The men’s team chose not to demand any changes in the conditions in their new agreement,” Spillerforeningen’s director Michael Sahl Hansen said in a statement. “It’s an extraordinary step to help improve the conditions of the women’s national teams. So, instead of looking for better conditions for themselves, the players thought about supporting the women’s team. When we presented the plan to the negotiations team, which consisted of Andreas Christensen, Thomas Delaney, Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Simon Kjaer and Kasper Schmeichel, they were very happy.”
The plan also includes the players and the DBU jointly creating a clubhouse which can be used by all national teams - men, women and youth teams - as well as a development fund.
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Euro 2024 Daily is here, the web version available on weekdays.
You can sign up here.
News from Munich, where it’s all getting a bit packed out.
Authorities in Munich now asking fans to stay away from Marienplatz due to overcrowding. No giant screens there to watch the match tonight. Officials want Scotland fans to spread out across the city. Olympic Park fanzone now also full. #euro2024 🏴
— Chris McLaughlin (@BBCchrismclaug) June 14, 2024
URGENT!!! The #Marienplatz is overcrowded. There will definitely be no public viewing there. Please spread out elsewhere in the city! The fan zone is also about to close. Please don't go to the Olympiapark anymore! #uefaeuro2024 #munich #GERSCO
— München (@muenchen) June 14, 2024
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The defending champions: in case you forgot, are Italy. A new-look team, too, with Luciano Spalletti, not a fan of consoles, an old-school operator, as their coach. Nicky Bandini, as ever, will be keeping a watchful eye on the Azzurri.
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Off-piste news: Frank Lampard is bookies’ favourite for the Sunderland vacancy, a job that might have gone to Danny Röhl, had he not signed a new contract to stay at Sheffield Wednesday. Both will be doing UK punditry during the Euros.
Good afternoon, all. It’s now just six and a half hours to go until we can say we are in full Euros mode – three games a day dawns.
I’m off for a bit of lunch: John Brewin is here to take the reins.
If you like this stuff and think it’s worth helping it to continue, why not make a contribution to the Guardian. It only takes a minute and can be as little as £1 if you’re particularly tight or shameless.
“We will be United In The Heart Of Europe. Over four weeks.” Looking back, it was probably wise of Uefa’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, to add that neat little disclaimer while announcing the official slogan of Euro 2024, to dial back just a touch the tournament’s contractual peace, love and unity obligations.
Three years on from the big unveil in Munich, Uefa is still out there shunning (some) despots, eradicating intolerance everywhere (apart from in major European football leagues) and reaching out with a single trembling hand, Michael Jackson-style, to lower the rifle barrel of the nearest infantryman. But only, let’s be clear on this, for the next four weeks. And we will have to insist everyone promises to keep their eyes fixed on the screen and closes their ears to the noises through the wall.
Six years and 239 qualifying matches in the making, carbon-light but still undeniably grand, Euro 2024 is finally upon us. And it is hard not to drool just a little at the prospect of 51 games in 31 days, a stage for eight of the top-10-ranked teams in the world, to lose yourself in the sound and light of a proper, non-plague-ridden European Championship for the first time since France 2016.
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Don’t forget to check out our comprehensive guide to each and every player at Euro 2024:
It must be time to mention France. Bien sur. How are they shaping up? Not actually that well, according to Luke Entwistle:
Les Bleus approach a tournament in which they are one of the favourites disjointed and in search of fluidity. Kylian Mbappé sounded the alarm after a 2-0 loss against Germany in March. “There are lots of warnings: technically, tactically, in terms of desire and even efficiency too,” said the captain, adding that the “leadership” was “deficient”. Not exactly the serene buildup France would have hoped for, but they have known worse. The defeat by Germany came in the absence of Antoine Griezmann; without him, Didier Deschamps’ men looked lost, and the over-reliance on individuals is a concern.
Uefa look well set to score a home run with these Euros … meanwhile, over at football’s world governing body:
Fifa is set to leave offices at the prestigious Hôtel de la Marine in Paris after only three years and relocate its bureau to smaller premises in the French capital after staff numbers dropped by more than half, the Guardian understands.
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I’m starting to feel jealous of everyone heading to Munich today. I covered two Scotland matches at last year’s Rugby World Cup, v Tonga in Nice and Romania in Lille. The atmosphere in Nice was fantastic, in particular, and this is going to turn it right up to 11.
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“I am at the game in Munich tonight and we will get pumped but I can attest to the unbelievable atmosphere and great camaraderie between the fans,” emails Colin.
“The big one for me is next week in Cologne. I am 28 years living in Switzerland and have also been Swiss for 21 of them. I suppose I cannae lose. Hopp Schottland!”
Scotland v Switzerland, clearly a crunch encounter in Group A, takes place next Wednesday. Good luck Colin!
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“Just off a flight from London to Munich,” emails Svein. “Packed plane of kilt-bedecked Scots save for a group of six English lads on a stag do, the groom dressed up in a St George’s flag. He tried to start a chant about Scotland going home from the tournament early. He was given short, yet jovial, shrift - and then bought a whisky.”
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Just look at these scenes.
“I’m in the fortunate position of being German by nature, but Scottish by association (and citizenship test), having moved from the Saarland to Glasgow 20 years ago,” emails Ursula.
“Which means my team will definitely win tonight (and my other team will lose at the same time ... it’s going to be emotional).
“I’m planning to celebrate the inevitable in style with Bratwurst, Kartoffelsalat, and (alcohol-free) Erdinger.
“‘Mon the Germans and the Scots!”
Let’s refocus on tonight’s showdown in Munich, kicking off at 8pm BST / 9pm CET.
The Germany team guide is here:
And here is Oliver Fritsch on Nagelsmann’s Gundogan puzzle:
The Scotland guide, meanwhile, is here:
Are there any Scotland fans out there who want to get in touch on email? Get in touch, especially if you’re out there in Germany.
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He can beat players, he can score goals, and his weight of pass is world-class.
Eberechi Eze is an exciting prospect for England and no mistake. As stated earlier, David Hytner wrote a piece with him yesterday. Today, a new mural of the Crystal Palace schemer has been unveiled on his home turf in south London.
A special mural of @EbereEze10 has been painted in South London ahead of #EURO2024 🎨
— England (@England) June 14, 2024
After seeing footage of it, here's what it means to him... ❤️ pic.twitter.com/miwWyyyCcx
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“I got England at work and England in my mate’s sweepstake,” emails Amos.
“I thought entering two sweepstakes (one of which gives you two teams) would improve my chances of winning and/or make my Euros experience more interesting. But now I think my money’s just been donated to a colleague or friend.
“It must come home for my bank account.”
We’re all behind you, Amos.
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Julian Nagelsmann has urged his Germany players to channel their nervous energy into a victorious home tournament at Euro 2024, demanding they handle the expectation on their shoulders when they face Scotland in the opening match tonight.
“I think we’re a bit nervous but it’s an important point, we have to have a certain nervousness,” he said. “There was such a buzz [in the camp], a bit like in school. It was really loud: ‘Can everyone please calm down a bit!’.
Time to test your Euros knowledge.
Take our pre-tournament quiz courtesy of Richard Foster, Niall McVeigh and Paul Campbell:
I know what you are thinking: What kind of music is Joe Gomez listening to?
“Obviously there’s the ones that people probably expect, like rap,” the south Londoner tells England’s “Diary Room”. “Whether that be American like J. Cole, Drake … obviously I listen to some UK - Dave, Stormzy.
“But then I probably listen to some alternative stuff that people don’t think. I love R&B - my favourite artist is probably Party Next Door, or Brent Faiyaz.
“I listen to a radio show called Selection … It could be anything on there. Alternative, or it could be chill. I like this thing called lo-fi, chill-hop. Just chilled beats. I put that on in the morning when I’m getting ready.”
Up next in our #EURO2024 Diary Room is... Joe Gomez! 💺 pic.twitter.com/UU6vpU1yE1
— England (@England) June 14, 2024
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It being the first day of the tournament – we are now under eight hours from kick-off – here is team guide 24 out of 24.
It’s none other than Euro 2020 dark horses, Turkey, now managed by the estimable Vincenzo Montella:
Marktweg, a street in The Hague, has turned orange to honour the Oranje. Which is nice.
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Kroos. Nagelsmann. Gundogan. They all feature on this pre-tournament-hype X graphic courtesy of Die Mannschaft:
ENDLICH! 🔥 Let the games begin!
— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) June 14, 2024
Mit euch an unserer Seite! 🖤❤️💛
⚽ 21:00 Uhr 📺 ZDF + Magenta TV#dfbteam #euro2024 #gersco pic.twitter.com/OQcmcoXDju
“Regarding variations on office sweepstake rules, we went even further,” emails Jeff:
1. Winner
2. Worst team (least points, fewest goals scored if a tie)
3. Most entertaining (a complex equation involving average number of goals in their games, with close, high-scoring games getting most points)
4. Most brutal (points for red and yellow cards and total fouls).
“It’s pretty fun, the last two categories can stay alive until the end.”
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My view on England, since you didn’t ask for it: Some people think a world-beating [or Europe-beating] midfield is the first requirement for tournament success. Personally I think it’s a settled and miserly defence, and that’s something England don’t have.
Consequently I am a bit baffled by the predictions for England to win this thing. But it will be undoubtedly be enjoyable if Gareth Southgate does let that famous handbrake off and allow England’s talented attackers to run free.
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Fans from across Europe share their predictions for the Euros.
By Guardian readers and Paul Campbell:
“We know what’s at stake,” said Liverpool’s Andy Robertson of tonight’s Munich encounter with Die Mannschaft. “We’ve got a lot of incentive to do well, but one is becoming that legendary squad that qualifies for the knockout stages.
“We feel the excitement. We know all our families and all the Tartan Army are now landing in Munich and are ready to get behind us. We know the support back home will be there as well, so it’s just a feeling of excitement now.”
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“Germany will want to win. We want to win. Everyone else can enjoy the occasion.”
I’ll be honest, this is not earth-shattering news from Steve Clarke in Scotland’s official match preview for tonight’s curtain-raiser. But there it is.
“Play well, make sure you get some points to take to the next game,” Clarke added. “Three would be good. One would be OK.”
“I organised my office sweepstake and took the last team out the hat - Hungary,” emails Richard Allan.
“The rules for my sweepstake are a bit different from the usual. To keep everyone invested at every stage, the prizes are as follows:
Tournament winner (1st prize)
Worst performing team (2nd prize)
Tournament runner-up (3rd prize)
Team with most Round of 16 goals, including penalty shootsouts (4th prize)
“It’s a lottery anyway so might as well make it interesting!”
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Manchester United will start a £50m revamp of the men’s first-team building at their Carrington training complex next week, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe stating this will transform it into a “world-class” facility and improve performance.
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Here’s a story about freedom of movement – or a temporary lack of it – via Reuters:
Danish police have reminded fans to take their passports with them as they travel in their thousands for their team’s opening Euro 2024 clash with Slovenia on Sunday, announcing temporary changes at the country’s southern border in the process.
As part of heightened security measures around the tournament, Germany, which shares a 68-kilometre land border with Denmark, has introduced random passport checks for travellers coming into the country, including those arriving from within the Schengen zone.
Danish police announced on Friday morning that cars, trucks and buses crossing the border via the E45 motorway at Froslev would be divided into two lanes, and that passport checks could be carried out.
“New signs have been erected at the border during this period of temporary checks to help you choose the right lane. Make sure you have your passport ready so that the check can take place quickly to reduce the risk of queues,” Danish police said.
The Danes, who won the Euros in 1992 and lost to England in the semi-finals of the most recent tournament, are expected to be cheered on by more than 50,000 travelling fans during their three Group C games against Slovenia, England and Serbia. The temporary border controls would remain in place until July 19, police said.
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There’s an election coming up. Joel Golby has made an emotional appeal for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer to stop talking about football:
“I just want to enjoy this opportunity. I’m seeing it as the hard work I’ve put in has got me here. I’m ready to give my all. That’s the main thing for me, enjoy the moment.”
David Hytner spoke to Eberechi Eze, of Crystal Palace and England, before Gareth Southgate’s side kick off against Serbia on Sunday:
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The Ukrainian national football team has released a video before Euro 2024 featuring 13 players, each hailing from hometowns affected by the Russian invasion or occupation.
Among those featured are Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin and Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk, who are from Krasnohrad in Kharkiv Oblast, which has been shelled by the Russian army since the beginning of the war.
“Victor Orbán isn’t anti-migrant – he’s anti-the-wrong-type-of-migrant.”
Tom Mortimer here, on why Hungary’s team represents a counterpoint to the epicentre of nativist thought created by the country’s Prime Minister:
“Live in the moment. Be calm,” says a Zen-like Cristiano Ronaldo before appearing at his sixth European Championship – a record.
“I think the team is very prepared. I’ve prepared myself very well. The dream must always be alive, and it’s game-by game. We know it’s a short tournament, now it’s about getting on with it.
“It [a record sixth tournament] is not a goal for me. I think it comes naturally.
“I enjoy football. Records are a consequence … It’s about playing well and making sure the team wins. I’ll try my best – and enjoy it.”
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“Hello Luke,” offers Andrew Benton on email.
“Could I suggest your preamble section is renamed ‘Warming up’. ‘Penalty practice’ or ‘Shots on goal’ for the duration of the tournament? Footballers rarely amble pre-match, I’d have thought.”
Footballers may not, Andrew, but writers definitely do. But thank you for your email.
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Who did you get in your office sweepstake, and how disgusted are you about it, on a scale of 1 to 10? Let me know on email.
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As someone who drew Switzerland in the office sweepstake, I’m pleased to see them atop our “Which is the best kit?” gallery, compiled by Lauren Cochrane. This has to be a good sign.
“Observant viewers will notice the pinstripes on Switzerland’s kit look a lot like barbed wire. They are actually inspired by the native Edelweiss flower, but the resemblance to something spikier brings an unexpected rock’n’roll flavour to a team more known for reaching the last 16 by playing organised football.”
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Conor Gallagher has revealed he was rejected by Scotland as a teenager. The midfielder has Scottish ancestry through his maternal grandfather and it was not always certain that he would represent England.
“My dad’s side is Irish and my mum’s dad is Scottish,” Gallagher said. “When I was 15 or 16 I wasn’t good enough to play for the England youth team so I think I went to train with one of the Scotland teams to see what I was like, and I wasn’t good enough for them either.”
“We’ve got to be at our best,” David Seaman tells Sky of England’s prospects over the next four weeks. “But so have the other teams.”
That’s some deep analysis right there.
“I want to be involved in that party when it comes home,” Seaman continues. “Because it’s going to be a hell of a party.”
Insert facepalm emoji here.
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Julian Nagelsmann has spoken of the positive change to Scotland’s national team under Steve Clarke: “There’s been a transformation of Scottish football because of his brilliant job. Most of the time [before his tenure] it was a team that would play lot of long balls, balls up in the air, only fighting,” said the Germany manager. “Now they can do every part of the game in a good way.”
On Toni Kroos’s continued presence in the national setup, he took some persuading, Nagelsmann says: “It took a period of time to convince him … in one of our first phone conversations he said to me he’d only be part of the team if he has a feeling the team can win something … [then] he said – yes, I’ll be part of it, and ‘Let’s rock’.”
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It felt significant that John McGinn’s viral bout of Bavarian dancing as the Scotland team were welcomed to their training base in Garmisch-Partenkirchen did not precede interviews with the Aston Villa midfielder. As in, not a single one. On Sunday evening, for a brief time only, McGinn and Scotland had their fun. They have not arrived in Germany as a circus act. The sole focus is on competing at the European Championship. Nobody is here to have their tummy tickled.
A bit of housekeeping: We’ve got Euro 2024 team guides, a complete guide to all 622 players, tables, fixtures, live scores, and Golden Boot standings for when the goals start flying in. All the latest Euro 2024 content can be found here.
And here is Barney Ronay on why you might consider supporting the Guardian, during the Euros and beyond in a packed sporting summer:
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Preamble
Your tournament wall chart is Blu-Tacked firmly in place, the preview supplement’s been scoured from cover to cover, your work diary is marked “busy” for the next month. The day of reckoning, or certainly the day of Germany v Scotland in Munich, has finally arrived.
In just a few hours’ time the curtain will be raised on a four-week festival of football the like of which we’ve rarely seen, unless you count the two other major international tournaments that have somehow been shoehorned into the past three years.
Will France and Kylian Mbappé take Euro 2024 by storm? Will Germany thrill home fans with a run deep into the knockout rounds? Will [pre-2008] perennial underachievers, Spain, flatter to deceive – or tiki-taka their way to glory? Will Italy leave their egos at the door and become much greater than the sum of their parts? Will Poland be frustrating and a bit rubbish? Will England flop early, or crash out agonisingly late? We’re about to have answers to all these questions – and so much more.
Today, on this blog, we’ll have previews, team news, other news, and emails from you. Auf gehts!
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