The Tartan Army are ready for a Euro 2024 party in Germany – and all that is left for Scotland before the tournament is to find who will join Scotland on the dance floor.
Steve Clarke raced to a second consecutive European Championships with a run of five wins from five games – including a famous win over Spain at Hampden – all but sealing a spot in Germany at the midway point in the campaign. But it won’t be enough for Scotland to just be at the tournament this time around having already reached Euro 2020, the nation will be desperate to see a historic run the knockout stage.
And while excitement continues to build for next summer, the difficulty of the group is likely to play a major factor in how deep Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and John McGinn will go at the tournament. The draw will take place next month with the seeding for the pots virtually confirmed. We know our boys will be in pot three, but what is the best and worst case scenario? Record Sport takes a look.
Germany
It may seem strange to go with the hosts as the pick from Pot 1 – but they come into the tournament amid a major overhaul. They haven’t played a single competitive game since the World Cup – and have endured mixed results during the friendly run-in. The DFB pushed the panic button when Hansi Flick was sacked as Germany head coach one day after a 4-1 loss to Japan – with Julian Nagelsmann stepping into the hot seat to take the side into Euro 2024. Defeat to Turkey last weekend has raised the red flags again under the new boss. The pressure will only mount during the tournament on home turf.
Albania
Drawn into Group E with Poland and Czech Republic, few would’ve predicted that little Albania would automatically qualify for Euro 2024, let alone do it in first place. But they have proven to be the surprise package of European qualifying and return to the group stage for the first time since 2016. Former Brazilian national team defender Sylvinho has managed them to success, but they go to the tournament as major underdogs and plenty of nations will hope to see them emerge from Pot 2 in their group.
While we are still to find out who will come through the play-off rounds to reach the tournament, Serbia appear to be the best scenario for Steve Clarke’s side from Pot 4 at this stage. Captain Dusan Tadic will lead his country into their first Euro finals since 2000 with the lowest points total of any nation to qualify so far.
Euro 2024 hell
France
Off the back of being narrowly seen off by Lionel Mess’s heroics in the World Cup final in 2022, France go into Euro 2024 as the favourites to lift the trophy – and it’s easy to see why. The Tartan Army know all to well what Kylian Mbappe and co can do sides after falling to a 4-1 defeat earlier this year, and if Steve Clarke needed any further warnings he just has to ask Gibraltar who were smashed 14-0 by the French. There is no easy scenario from Pot 1 – by Didier Deschamps’ squad that is packed with talent could be the worst of the lot.
Hungary
An unbeaten European qualifying campaign sealed Hungary’s spot at their third-consecutive European championships. While among the dark horses, Marco Rossi’s men will be a tough test for any side having taken secured big results against England, France and Germany since their last tournament outing – and are currently on the longest undefeated streak in European football. With captain Dominik Szoboszlai finding top form for Liverpool this term they will be one Steve Clarke hopes to avoid.
Italy
It seems bizarre that Italy have ended up here – but the current holders are the Pot 4 seeds everyone will want to avoid. A tough group with England while Roberto Mancini walked away from the hot seat spelled a difficult qualification campaign for the defending European champions – but when it comes time for the tournament it’s a certainty that they will be among the favourites to go all the way.
Source: Daily Record
