🇪🇺 Finally, Euro 2024 is Go! ⚽

Hosts, Germany, kick off the tournament on Friday & on Saturday there’s a big one between Croatia and Spain.

Hey there MVP,

Euro 2024 is finally here! The tournament kicks off on Friday as the hosts Germany play Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Munich. We look ahead to the game including the predicted lineups for both teams. This week’s shocker is a worrying one for England fans and don’t miss the big stories from around the world of football.

In other news, there are some big matchups this weekend with Spain, Croatia, Italy, England, and France all in action. We look ahead at the game you don’t wanna miss.

Today's game plan:

• Don’t Miss This Game 🎯

• This Week’s Shocker 🤬

• Around The World 🌍

• Games to Keep an Eye On 👀

• Goat Trivia 🐐 

• Meme of the Week 😂

Germany vs Scotland | Friday | 20:00 IST

We can’t start anywhere else but with the hosts Germany. Their opponents for this tournament opener are Scotland, a team who have just qualified for back-to-back European Championships for the first time in their history. 

Germany have won the Euros three times: 1972 in Belgium, 1980 in Italy, and 1996 in England. Although many pundits are playing down Germany’s chances in this tournament, there are many pointing to the fact that Germany will have home advantage. Plus, after the disaster at the World Cup in Qatar, this Germany team doesn't the usual huge expectations on it for this tournament. 

This game at the Allianz Arena in Munich will see Germany's intense tactical approach under new manager Julian Nagelsmann against Scotland's gritty and determined style of play that Steve Clarke has implemented so successfully.

Form & Team News

🇩🇪 Under new manager Julian Nagelsmann who is fresh in the national team job, Germany are looking to capture their first European title since 1996. This squad is a nice blend of experienced and young talents, and despite the ropey form in recent years Germany is the favourite in Group A especially with the crowd behind them.

Germany's form leading into the tournament has been somewhat mixed. They have won more than they’ve lost but there’s also been two losses and a draw in their last six games. Although Germany have shown they have some vulnerabilities, this team has shown resilience and tactical flexibility, especially under Nagelsmann. Their most recent pre-tournament friendly ended in a 2-1 victory over Greece. It was a hard-fought game that saw Germany 1-nil down at half-time, but they worked hard to grind out the win in the second. Thinking back to Euro 2020, Germany made it to the last 16 but were knocked out after losing 2-nil to England at a raucous Wembley.

This Germany squad is not solid in every position, far from it. However, as well as the experienced heads of Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, and Thomas Muller; this Germany squad also has some exciting young players emerging, like Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and starboy Jamal Musiala. With no new injuries reported at the time of writing, it is likely that Nagelsmann will play a similar lineup to the one he picked against Greece, where Kroos and Robert Andrich sat in central midfield allowing the front three to push on. 

GR Germany predicted lineup |  Neuer, Kimmich, Tah, Rüdiger, Mittelstädt, Kroos, Andrich, Musiala, Gündogan, Wirtz and Havertz

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Despite putting in some inspired performances in the qualifying stages, Scotland’s form has fallen away as they inched closer to qualification for Euro 2024. There have been some shaky, nervous performances that has led to three draws, two losses and one win in the last six games. Scotland's most recent pre-tournament friendly ended in a 2-2 draw against Finland; a game where Scotland went 2-nil up, but showcased multiple defensive lapses as they threw away the victory in the second half.

While they have struggled to maintain leads, Scotland have shown they have the ability to find the back of the net against a range of opponents. Goals have always been an issue for Scotland teams at international tournaments, so it remains to be seen how Steve Clarke will approach this first game against the tournament hosts Let’s not forget about Scotland’s achievement in getting to the tournament though —they took second place in Group A behind Spain, who they actually beat 2-nil in Glasgow back in MArch 2023.

This Scotland squad is interesting because it contains a number of quality Premier league players, like john Mcginn, Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney. There’s also players like Scott McTominay ready to do a job in an attacking or defensive role. In the attacking line, Soctland have been weakened by an injury to striker Lyndon Dykes that has ruled him out of Euro 2024. Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland has come into the team and to be fair to him, done a pretty good job including a header against Finland.

GR Scotland predicted lineup | Gunn; Tierney, Hendry, Hanley, Ralston; Robertson, Gilmour; Christie, McGregor, McGinn, Shankland

This Week’s Shocker…

England lost to Iceland again in a piss poor game of football . Last Friday’s disappointing 1-nil home loss was England’s last pre-tournament friendly before they play their opening Group C game against Serbia on Sunday. 

England were booed off at the end of the game by the fans who had actually stayed until the final whistle in this send-off game. Iceland took the lead early on in the game through Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson and England struggled throughout. Guéhi struggled at the back, as did John Stones. Worryingly for England, the midfield was way off the pace as Kobbie Mainoo and Phil Foden didn’t seem to gel. All eyes on the Serbia game; 8PM on Sunday.

Around the world…

🇸🇦 Al-Ittihad set to pay a huge severance payment to Marcelo Gallardo 

Marcelo Gallardo will receive a €30 million severance from Al-Ittihad following a disappointing season in the Saudi Pro League, where the former champions finished fifth. Appointed in November of 2023, Gallardo's tenure fell short of the success achieved by his predecessor, Nuno Espirito Santo. During his time in Saudi, Gallardo reportedly clashed with Karim Benzema. This early departure highlights the high stakes and expectations at clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Erik ten Hag to stay on as manager of Manchester United 

Manchester United have clarified that Erik ten Hag will stay on as manager of Manchester United. There are also reports that United are in talks with ten Hag and his representatives about extending his deal.  

🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals over 30 than Pele’s total 

With his two goals against Ireland on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored more goals over the age of 30, than Pele scored in his whole career for Brazil. Ronaldo has scored 78 goals since turning 30, whilst Pele managed only 77 for Brazil over his entire career. Levels.  

🇪🇸 Historic conviction for racist abuse at La Liga game 

Vini Jr is victorious again in Spain as three Spanish football fans received jail sentences for their racist abuse of the Real Madrid and Brazil striker. This is historic as it is the first ever racism-related conviction in Spanish professional football.  

🇺🇲 United States of America ready to host Copa America 2024

The Copa America kicks off on June 24 and is being hosted solely by the United States. With GOATs like Messi featuring, this will be an interesting tournament to keep an eye on —certainly some interesting games amongst all of the Euros games. North America is being treated to some excellent football these days. As well as the Copa America 2024, the USA will also co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.

Games to keep an eye on…

Spain vs Croatia | Saturday | 17:00 BST

The pick of the games on Saturday is the Group B match between Spain and Croatia. Spain have won the Euros three times and Croatia are always competing, so this should be good watch —especially Modric competing against the Spanish midfield.

Italy vs Albania | Saturday | 20:00 BST 

Italy are no one’s picks for favourites at this year’s Euros but Luciano Spaletti has picked an interesting squad. The game against Albania, currently ranked 66th in the world is a nice opener for Italy. 

Serbia vs England | Sunday | 20:00 BST

On Sunday night, England will get their tournament underway. Their opponents Serbia will present a stiff challenge as they are known to be a pragmatic and hardworking team. Unfortunately for England, first choice left back Luke Shaw will not be fit to start the game. Will England rise to the occasion?

Austria vs France | Monday | 20:00 BST

The favourites to win the tournament, France, kick-off their Euros campaign against Austria in Group D. Austria are no mugs, and although France recently drew a friendly against Canada, they should get the win here. 

GOAT Trivia…

Say congrats to…

Kai Havertz [@kaihavertz29], the Arsenal and Germany forward turns 25 today.

On this day in football…

Back on June 12, 2004, UEFA Euro 2004 kicked off in Portugal. This Euros was particularly memorable for the surprising victory of Greece, who won their first major international trophy by defeating the host nation, Portugal in the final.

The final in Lisbon ended 1-nil thanks to a goal from Angelos Charisteas. Portugal huffed and puffed but the Greeks held on. Heartbreaking for the host nation.

Goal of the week…

Our goal of the week has to be Cristiano’s second goal against Ireland. Classic Ronaldo.

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