Even before Euro 2024 kicks off, Scotland fans think they have won something – the partying.
The bagpipes in Bavaria signalled the Tartan Army are back.
Thousands of Scots – many in kilts carrying crates of beer – packed into Munich’s Marienplatz on the eve of the curtain-raiser against Germany.
Not that you’d realise the hosts were at their own party, with few Germany shirts and flags in sight here.
Pic: Reuters
But they were making the visitors feel welcome, particularly the placid police allowing beer to be downed through the centre late into the night.
This is the start of Germany’s biggest-ever policing deployment for a major sporting event.
But in Munich, officers kept their distance as melodies of “Flower of Scotland” and “We’ve got McGinn. Super John McGinn” boomed through the packed side-street of the main square.
Pic: Reuters
The sound of glass crunching could be heard as midnight approached – the detritus of a day’s drinking.
Scots soaking in the atmosphere, drinking it all in.
It’s been 26 years – at the France 98 World Cup – since Scotsmen competed overseas at a major football tournament.
Pic: Reuters
“It’s amazing – we see all the videos, we see everyone landing into Munich in their numbers,” Scotland captain Andy Robertson said last night.
“We made a big point, the manager, when he first came in, to try and get them back onside because the home support maybe nosedived a little bit because of performances on the pitch.
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John McGinn swaps the Highland Fling for the ‘Schuhplattler’ as Scotland prepare for the Euros.
“But the away support was always incredible. The away ends were always sold out and they always like a trip abroad.
“And there’s a lot of them over here and we hope to make them proud. We know all of them can’t get into the stadium, we wish they could, it would help us.”
Pic: Reuters
After decades living in the shadow of England, the stage is Scotland’s before the Three Lions campaign begins on Sunday against Serbia.
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Steve Clarke is the first manager of Scotland to secure consecutive qualification to European Championships.
The last one, held in 2021, was a more muted affair, with games only in Britain and pandemic-curtailed crowds.
Scotland lost both games at Hampden Park, but they did celebrate a draw against England at Wembley.
Pic: PA
So it doesn’t seem as daunting facing Germany at Bayern Munich’s stadium as Scotland try to make it out of the group stage for the first time at a major tournament.
But Germany haven’t won a knockout stage game since Euro 2016.
“One of the mantras we’ve always had is to respect everyone and fear no one,” Clarke said.
“So we come here with a lot of respect for the host nation. We know that they are a good team, but hopefully on the night we can show that we are a good team as well.”
