WITH group stage action now finished, there are just 16 names left in The National’s Euro 2024 charity sweepstake.
Unfortunately, Scotland’s devastating 1-0 loss to Hungary means they didn’t quite make the cut but there’s still plenty of big names left in the tournament.
Here’s a look at who’s still competing, which team they’ve been drawn and a reminder of what charity they’re playing for.
Remember, we’ll be donating £1000 to the winning participant’s chosen charity.
Switzerland – Alan Cumming
One of Scotland’s group stage opponents, a strong Switzerland side progressed comfortably from the group.
Following an opening 3-1 win over Hungary, they picked up a 1-1 draw against both Scotland and hosts Germany.
They were the side allocated to Scottish actor and Yes campaigner Alan Cumming who is playing for Scottish Trans.
Italy – Susie McCabe
Scottish comedian Susie McCabe was happy to draw the tournament holders in Italy.
However while they’ve made it through the group stages, the side have failed to really impress so far.
They kicked things off with a tight 2-1 win over Albania and lost 1-0 to Spain before a 98th minute equaliser helped them to a 1-1 draw against Croatia.
McCabe will be hoping they can improve their form to raise some money for Carntyne Credit Union Food Bank.
England – Stephen Flynn
The SNP’s Westminster leader was at least pleased to know his money would be going to a good cause should England go one step further and win the tournament this time around.
Like Italy though, who of course beat them on penalties in the last Euros final at Wembley, they have struggled so far.
Despite topping their group, England have faced criticism following a 1-0 win over Serbia, a 1-1 draw with Denmark and 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
He's playing for Community Food Initiatives North East.
Slovakia – Jenny Colgan
Scottish author Jenny Colgan drew Slovakia in the sweep who were one of four teams to progress after finishing third in the group.
They started brilliantly with a 1-0 win over Belgium before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine, then picking up a final point with a 1-1 draw with Romania as every team in the group finished on four points.
Colgan is playing for Kidney Research UK.
Germany – Mark Nelson
Scottish comedian Mark Nelson was hopeful that Germany might slip up in their first game although all Scotland fans sadly know how that ended.
Following that 5-1 win, Germany then picked up a 2-0 victory over Hungary before finishing with a 1-1 draw over Switzerland.
The hosts have impressed so far after a couple of difficult international tournaments so Nelson will be hoping they can go all the way as he looks to win some money for Marie Curie.
Denmark – Alistair Heather
Writer and broadcaster Alistair Heather is playing for Denmark and his chosen charity is Dundee United Community Trust.
His side were drawn in the same group with England and, despite progressing, they are yet to pick up a win.
The team picked up two 1-1 draws against Slovenia and England before a final 0-0 with Serbia so Heather will be hoping that can change in the knockout stages.
Spain – Christopher Brookmyre
Scottish author Christopher Brookmyre will be pleased with what he’s seen so far with Spain arguably the standout side of the Euros so far.
With a 3-0 win over Croatia followed up by successive 1-0 wins over Italy and Albania, Spain were the only side to pick up the maximum points on offer in the group stage.
Brookmyre will be hoping they can repeat the triumphs of 1964, 2008 and 2012 to raise money for Médecins sans frontières
Georgia – Gavin Newlands
The SNP’s candidate for Paisley and Renfrewshire North Gavin Newlands has drawn Georgia in the sweep.
It’s been a dream tournament so far as the side not only made their first appearance but also progressed to the knockout stages.
Things got off to a difficult start with a 3-1 loss to Turkiye, but a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic and a stunning 2-0 win over Portugal mean they’re heading through.
Newlands will be hoping they can pull of a huge shock for his chosen charity Renfrewshire Toy Bank.
France – Zara Gladman
Scottish comedian Zara Gladman, known to many as Lady Alba, drew one of the tournament favourites in France.
Things are really yet to get going for the side though. After a tight 1-0 win over Austria, they played out a dull 0-0 with the Netherlands and a 1-1 draw with Poland meaning they went through in second place.
Gladman will be hoping things pick up a bit as she looks to win money for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Belgium – Pete Wishart
If you’re wondering how Belgium did in the group stage, then knowing they were booed by their fans following their final group stage game should give you some indication.
Their tournament got off to the worst possible start with a 1-0 loss to Slovakia but picked up with a 2-0 win over Romania.
Fans were less than impressed with the final 0-0 draw with Ukraine, however.
The SNP’s candidate for Perth and Kinross-shire Pete Wishart will be playing for Scottish Charity Air Ambulance.
Portugal – Tadhg Hickey
Irish comedian Tadhg Hickey drew Euro 2016 winners Portugal in the sweep as he looks to win some money for UNRWA.
Despite losing their final group stage fixture 2-0 to Georgia, Portugal still go through as group winners thanks to 2-1 and 3-0 wins over the Czech Republic and Turkiye respectively.
Can they pull off a repeat of that famous win in 2016?
Slovenia – Chris McEleny
Alba’s general secretary is playing for Alzheimer’s Scotland and drew one of England’s group stage opponents in Slovenia.
They also progress in third place and, like Denmark, are yet to pick up a win in the tournament.
The side started with a 1-1 draw against the Danes before a 1-1 with Serbia and a 0-0 with England.
Romania – Hannah Bardell
Playing for Chron’s and Colitis UK is the SNP’s Hannah Bardell who has drawn Romania in our sweepstake.
Bardell’s team got off to a great start in this tournament with a 3-0 win over Ukraine and, despite losing 2-0 to Belgium, a 1-1 with Slovakia was enough to see them through.
Many will likely struggle to see them progressing past the last 16 but Romania have put in some strong showings so far.
Netherlands – Ian Blackford
The former SNP Westminster leader was delighted to discover his team, given the Netherlands is the place he used to call home.
Unfortunately, things haven’t looked brilliant on the pitch. Despite winning a tight 2-1 opener over Poland, the Dutch then drew 0-0 with France before a chaotic 3-2 loss to Austria means they only went through in third place.
Blackford, who is playing for the Skye-based Lucky2BeHere will hope things can change pretty quickly as the knockout stages begin.
Austria – Ruth Wishart
National columnist Ruth Wishart will be particularly pleased with what she’s seen from her team so far.
Other than Spain, Austria have probably been the standout team. They impressed despite a 1-0 loss to France in their opening game before impressing in a 3-1 win against Poland and a 3-2 victory against the Netherlands.
Like Brookmyre, Wishart is also playing for Médecins sans frontières.
Türkiye – Iona Fyfe
Scots singer Iona Fyfe will be pleased to see that Türkiye managed to make it through to the knockouts pretty comfortably.
It’s safe to say their matches have been pretty eventful so far with their opening match a thrilling 3-1 win over Georgia.
Although this was followed up with a 3-0 loss to Portugal, a 94th minute winner in their final game resulted in a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in a match in which their opponents had two men sent off.
Fyfe will be hoping it’s not all about the entertainment though and that Türkiye can go all the way to win some money for the Glasgow-based Refuweegee.
We’ll be keeping you up to date on The National on every game-day with who is going head-to-head so make sure and keep an eye out for the fixtures.
Thank you to everybody who has taken part and here’s hoping the tournament continues to be as entertaining as it has been so far.
