Scottish party in Munich before the opening game of Euro 2024 against Germany | World News

Even before Euro 2024 begins, Scottish fans think they have won something: the party.

The bagpipes in Bavaria signaled that the Tartan Army was back.

Thousands of Scots – many of them in kilts and carrying crates of beer – packed Munich’s Marienplatz on the eve of the curtain raiser against Germany.

Don’t you realize the hosts were at their own party, with few Germany shirts and flags on view here.

But they made visitors feel welcome, especially the placid police who allowed beer to be served downtown until late at night.

This is the beginning of Germany’s largest-ever police mobilization for a major sporting event.

But in Munich, police officers kept their distance as tunes of “Flower of Scotland” and “We’ve got McGinn. Super John McGinn” echoed through the busy side street of the main square.

The sound of breaking glass could be heard as midnight approached – the detritus of a day’s drinking.

Scots soaking up the atmosphere, taking it all in.

It has been 26 years – at the France 98 World Cup – since the Scots have competed abroad in a major football tournament.

“It’s incredible – we see all the videos, we see everyone landing in Munich in huge numbers,” Scotland captain Andy Robertson said last night.

“We made a big pitch, the manager, when he first came in, to try and get them back on the pitch, because the home crowd had maybe dipped a bit because of the performance on the pitch.

“But the support outside the home has always been incredible. Away matches have always been sold out and they always enjoy traveling abroad.

“And there are a lot of them here and we hope to make them proud. We know that all of them cannot enter the stadium, we wish they could, that would help us.”

After decades living in the shadow of England, the stage is Scotland before the Three Lions’ campaign begins on Sunday against Serbia.

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Steve Clarke is the first manager of Scotland to ensure consecutive qualification for European Championships.

The last one, held in 2021, was more low-key, with games only in Great Britain and crowds reduced by the pandemic.

Scotland lost both games at Hampden Park but celebrated a draw against England at Wembley.

So it doesn’t seem so daunting facing Germany at Bayern Munich’s stadium as Scotland look to get out of the group stage for the first time in a major tournament.

But Germany have not won a knockout stage match since Euro 2016.

“One of the mantras we’ve always had is to respect everyone and fear no one,” Clarke said.

“So we came here with a lot of respect for the host country. We know they are a good team, but we hope that tonight we can show that we are also a good team.”