Scotland's Bagpipes, Germany's Expectations: Euro 2020 Curtain Raiser

Scotland's Bagpipes and Germany's Expectations: Euro 2020 Curtain Raiser

As the sound of bagpipes fills the streets of Munich and men in kilts proudly display their Scottish heritage, the excitement for the European Championship is reaching fever pitch. The tournament kicks off on June 14 with host nation Germany facing Scotland in the opening match at the Allianz Arena.

Germany, eager to make amends for three consecutive tournament disappointments, is under pressure to deliver a strong performance. Defender Antonio Rüdiger acknowledges the team's need to remain humble despite past failures. "We don't have to talk about past tournaments, we all know what happened there," he said. "It's been up and down for us all the way here and that's why we have to be humble."

While Germany's fans may be subdued compared to the boisterous Scottish supporters, coach Julian Nagelsmann is optimistic about the team's chances. "It's probably not just Europe, but the whole world that will be watching how the Euros will go ... we're really looking forward to it," he said.

Scotland, having qualified for back-to-back tournaments after a long absence, is determined to make history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Forward Ryan Christie expressed the team's ambition: "That's the dream ... If we come out of the group stages, that's the furthest Scotland will have ever been in a major tournament."

The Scots have shown their potential in recent years, beating Spain and Norway during the qualifying campaign. However, they have won only one of their last 13 matches against Germany, a 1-0 friendly victory in 1999.

Adding to Germany's motivation is an unusual incentive: Deniz Undav has promised to shave the head of fellow forward Thomas Müller if the team wins the trophy. "Thomas Müller bald? Then we have to do everything we can to make this happen," said Rüdiger with a laugh.

The opening match promises to be a spectacle, with both teams eager to make a statement. Scotland's passionate support will create a vibrant atmosphere, while Germany will be determined to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

Tags: #Euro2020, #Germany, #Scotland, #Bagpipes, #Kilts