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EURO 2024

‘Please never leave!’: How Scottish fans won the hearts of Germans at Euro 2024

Scotland crashed out of Euro 2024 but the Tartan Army have made headlines for bringing joy to German cities and forging friendships with the locals. It has been wonderful to see, writes The Local Germany editor and proud Scot Rachel Loxton.

Published: 24 June 2024 12:58 CEST
Updated: 29 June 2024 08:08 CEST
Scotland and Germany fans mingle in Munich ahead of the opening Euro 2024 game.
Scotland and Germany fans mingle in Munich ahead of the opening Euro 2024 game. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sven Hoppe

There will be broken hearts in Scotland after the national men’s team were eliminated from Euro 2024 thanks to a late goal from Hungary during a tense match in Stuttgart.

But a lot of Germans will be feeling a little sad too – despite their national team topping the group and previously thrashing Scotland 5-1 in the opening game on June 14th.

That’s because a beautiful love affair has emerged between locals across Germany and the Tartan Army. 

Scotland’s games have taken them to Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart. In total, Germany has seen an estimated 200,000 Scots of all ages in the country for the games. In each city, supporters have made their mark.

On social media, many clips have been shared, from fan marches featuring kilts and bagpipes to tender connections. 

One clip of two kilt-clad Scotland supporters sheltering an elderly person with an umbrella in the Cologne rain while sharing a beer went viral and has been dubbed the most ‘wholesome moment’ of the competition so far. 

There has been a lot of laugh out loud silliness too. Who could forget an avalanche of Scots taking over Marienplatz in Munich in the run up to the first match, and the moment where a German reporter looked under the kilt of one fan (that is never advised!). 

All of this has made the Germans fall a bit in love with the Scots (and vice versa).

A small selection of comments on social media posts capture the feeling:

“In 50 years, every German grandad will be able to tell his grandchildren a crazy story about his Scottish friend and how they met in the summer of 2024.”

“And we absolutely need you back in the EU!”

“I didn’t realise that Germany-Scotland love was what I needed. Please never leave, Scots!”

The Tartan Army takes over Marienplatz in Munich on Friday June 14th ahead of the Germany vs Scotland game.

The Tartan Army takes over Marienplatz in Munich on Friday June 14th ahead of the Germany vs Scotland game. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Stefan Puchner

An article by German news magazine Der Spiegel published on Friday talked of the “Dudel, Jubel, Heiterkeit” (Dudel, cheer and merriment – the German word for bagpipes is Dudelsack) , summing up the blossoming infatuation.

In Cologne, local officials spoke of how much they loved the Tartan Army. “They drink a lot, they have fun, they have a party, they sing a lot, sing together with the Cologne inhabitants, sing together with the Swiss supporters, it was just amazing and perfect,” said Sven Stolz, Euro 2024 Cologne project leader.

The mayor of Cologne, Henriette Reker, said: “Dear Scots, those have been a wonderful couple of days with you. I could not be a happier mayor. You are always welcome to come back to Cologne!”

Meanwhile, a petition has been set up urging for an annual friendly match between Germany and Scotland.

As a Scot and long-time resident of Germany, it has been wonderful to see these scenes in my adopted country. 

Friends and family back home have messaged me throughout the tournament, keeping me up to date on the Scottish media’s reports on the Deutsch-Scottish friendship as well as sending viral social media posts. 

People in Scotland are seeing Germany in a new light, while those on the ground have got to experience the hospitality.

It’s also been great to see fans from other nations embracing Scotland and our partying. It’s made me feel extra proud to be Scottish, especially as a German resident. 

Scotland supporters have been genuinely delighted with their hosts and I’m sure that many of them will be back soon to see more of the country. Our Euro stint may be over but this love affair is just getting started. 

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EURO 2024

Euro hosts Germany set to face Denmark after Swiss ‘warning shot’

Euro 2024 hosts Germany come into Saturday's clash against Denmark in Dortmund hoping to have learned from Sunday's 1-1 draw with Switzerland, their final group stage match.

Published: 28 June 2024 08:49 CEST
Euro hosts Germany set to face Denmark after Swiss 'warning shot'

After almost a decade of struggles at major tournaments, Germany were riding high after dominant wins over Scotland and Hungary to start the Euros.

Germany however came crashing back down to earth against Switzerland and were on course for defeat, before Niclas Füllkrug’s stoppage time header snatched a draw – and with it, first place in the group.

It was a wake-up call the hosts needed, particularly with fans already eyeing a fourth Euros crown, and a reminder that coach Julian Nagelsmann has plenty to work on.

READ ALSO: How (and where) to watch the next round of Euro 2024 in Germany 

‘We underestimated them’

Germany boast a shinier trophy cabinet than their northern neighbours but were famously beaten by the Danes in the Euro 1992 final.

Denmark’s triumph after failing to qualify and then being admitted following the pre-tournament exclusion of Yugoslavia became a fairytale, but Germany still laments taking the Danes lightly.

A Euros and World Cup winner as a player, Berti Vogts coached Germany in that 1992 final and admitted in his column in the RP newspaper on Thursday that his team “underestimated” Denmark.

“In 1992 we lost the Euros final against a great Danish team even though we were the favourites – like the German team is now,” he wrote.

“Everyone thought we had the title in the bag — unfortunately some players did too.”

Well-drilled and with a smattering of excellent players at top clubs, 2020 semi-finalists Denmark resemble Switzerland in many ways.

Vogts said the current Danish incarnation may not boast the same level of quality as their 1992 counterparts, but that the pressure is well and truly on the Germans.

“The Danes were hungry for success and carefree, they just played football and took us by surprise – also because we underestimated them.

“The German team should not make that mistake now. The Switzerland game was therefore an important warning shot.”

READ ALSO: Can Germany’s hosting of Euro 2024 be judged a success so far?

Questions for Nagelsmann

Germany won just three of 11 games in 2023 but are yet to lose in 2024, winning five times and drawing twice, thanks at least in part to Nagelsmann picking the same starting XI.

The coach only deviated from his starters when forced through injury or unavailability.

The policy may have given Germany stability, but it cost him centre-back Jonathan Tah for the Denmark clash, after the defender picked up a second yellow card against Switzerland.

In his place, Borussia Dortmund’s talented yet unpredictable central defender Nico Schlotterbeck will line-up on Saturday.

Antonio Rudiger is also in doubt for the clash with a hamstring injury, although Schlotterbeck said Thursday: “I hope it works out that he returns.”

“I had the same injury already and it’s not easy to get out of your mind.”

Fans of the German national football team gather on June 23, 2024 in Berlin at the fan zone close to Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate.

Fans of the German national football team gather on June 23, 2024 in Berlin at the fan zone close to Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate. Photo by Joerg CARSTENSEN / AFP

Schlotterbeck said the Germans knew “actually everything” about the Danes.

“The whole match plan, defence, offence. We know about Denmark and how we will play them,” he said.

The 24-year-old looked forward to the match in his home stadium on Saturday, saying Dortmund’s usual yellow wall would become a “wall of white.”

While Tah’s absence will force Nagelsmann’s hand, he may be tempted to replace Arsenal forward Kai Havertz with Niclas Füllkrug, who has scored twice off the bench so far.

Since making his debut aged 29 in 2022, Füllkrug has 13 goals to Havertz’s seven – with the Dortmund striker normally coming off the bench.

Füllkrug, who was playing second division football just two seasons ago, said he was not concerned about his role as supersub.

“The title is so much more important than the individual.”

By Daniel WIGHTON

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