In the daily Guten Morgen EURO 2024 section, we look ahead to the European Championship day in Germany. What matches are scheduled for today? It is day 1 of the European Championship with the opening match between Germany and Scotland at 9:00 pm and the opening ceremony at 8:30 pm at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The festive event is dedicated to the late Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974 and as a coach in 1990. His widow, Heidi, will carry the European Championship trophy, the Henri Delaunay Cup, into the stadium accompanied by Bernard Dietz and Jürgen Klinsmann, former German team captains who won the Euros in 1980 and 1996 respectively.
The opening ceremony will feature performances by German singer Leony, the band OneRepublic, and the Italian trio Meduza, who released the official Euro song ‘Fire’. Following the ceremony, the host country Germany will face Scotland in the opening match at 9:00 pm.
One player to watch during the tournament is Toni Kroos, the German midfielder from Real Madrid, who recently announced that Euro 2024 will be his ‘last dance’ before retiring. Despite retiring from international football in 2021, Kroos was convinced by coach Julian Nagelsmann to return to the German national team. The 34-year-old midfielder aims to make a significant impact with his experience and playmaking skills, supporting young talents like Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz with his precise passes.
Although Scotland is considered the underdog in the opening match, they have quality players like Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Billy Gilmour, and Scott McTominay who could potentially cause an upset. The support from the ‘Tartan Army,’ with an estimated 100,000 Scottish fans traveling to Germany, could also boost the team’s morale. Additionally, the Scottish fans have been allowed to bring their bagpipes by the German authorities.
In conclusion, the Euro 2024 opening ceremony promises to be a memorable event honoring a football legend and setting the stage for an exciting tournament. With seasoned players like Toni Kroos and rising talents from both Germany and Scotland, football fans can expect thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes as the competition unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from Euro 2024.