Euro 2024 thread

So unimpressive was Germany's form last year that it's genuinely quite a fortunate thing that they are the hosts and were spared the quite reasonable possibility of not qualifying for a tournament held any place else than where it actually is.Even before last year they were outed in the group stages in Qatar and the final straw was a home mauling in the friendly against Japan in September 2023. Since then under coach Nagelsmann they've won five of nine friendlies including two wins over France, and suffered defeat to Turkey and Austria. These two back-to-back defeats were probably the result of an incredible decision to field Kai Havertz in defence for the two games - a decision since reversed with the Arsenal player reverting to a more familiar attacking role. The most recent four friendlies have seen an upturn in German outlook but what's patently obvious here is the lack of competitive action under Nagelsmann.

That long-awaited competition now arrives in the form of Scotland - the Scotland of 'Ally's Tartan Army', 'Don't Come Home Too Soon', Rod Stewart's 'Ole Ola' - all cretinous musical assaults on the Hit Parade and best forgotten. Okay Del Amitri's 'Don't Come Home Too Soon' was not cretinous but the melancholic sound of it was more suited as a plea to your wife going on holiday with her mates than to a football team. A fantastic run of form in the second half of 2022 and most of 2023 came to a worrying end in September 23 since when Scotland have won just one of nine games, competitive and otherwise. But who cares? They are there. They made it out of their (not easy) qualifying group and are there.

GERMANY 1/4
SCOTLAND 11/1
DRAW 5/1