Scotland followers take over Munich earlier than first sport in opposition to Germany
Hilarious footage has emerged of a bagpiper falling off a table while serenading a packed bar of Scotland supporters in Munich as the Tartan Army’s invasion of the city continues.
Scotland have the honour of opening the tournament by facing Germany in the first match tomorrow, and supporters have already made their presence felt in the Bavarian capital.
But things haven’t always gone smoothly, with footage showing a piper standing on a table to serenade fans in a beer hall before toppling backwards onto the floor.
Tens of thousands of Scotland supporters are expected to make the journey this summer for what is only their second major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France, and early evidence suggests it’s been thirsty work.
Paul Malik was in Glasgow Airport today and tweeted that the terminal’s Tennent’s bar had run out of the lager by 9am. And X user Chris McCall added: ‘I’m told it was the same at Edinburgh airport last night. An angry pal was left drinking Stella.’
Footage shows a piper standing on a table to serenade fans in a beer hall before toppling backwards onto the floor
The stricken piper had to be rescued by his mates as he took a heavy tumble
Scotland have the honour of opening the tournament by facing Germany in the first match tomorrow, and supporters have already made their presence felt in the Bavarian capital
Friends Adam Shepherd, 31, Josh Mcclelland, 30, Mark Paterson, 30, and Mark Keye, 32, are among those who have made the journey to Munich.
As he soaked up the atmosphere, Mr Shepherd, a joiner, told the Daily Record: ‘It feels amazing to be here. We’ve dreamed about it for ages and now we are finally here. It’s incredible.’
Keith Work, 45, and his wife Julie were posing for photos on Marienplatz with their nine-year-old son, Adam.
Mr Work said: ‘It’s been amazing to see so many Scotland fans here already. The first people we saw at the hotel were Scots. We’ve really taken over.’
Adam – who had to miss his last few days of school to make the trip – said he thinks Scotland could win tomorrow night’s game if they are ‘lucky’.
Yesterday, a Scots piper wowed football supporters with an incredible rendition of the host’s national anthem on the bagpipes.
Fraser Smith, from Glasgow, left locals touched after his rendition of their anthem ‘Das Lied Der Deutschen’.
Surrounded by Scots and German footy fans, Fraser blasted the tune at full volume outside of a bar in Munich to the amazement of onlookers.
Video shows the 17-year-old Scot blasting away on his pipes while locals and members of the Tartan Army soak up the atmosphere ahead of the big kick-off.
The young lad took to Germany, bringing his pipes with him for the Euros and has been spotted playing several bagpipe hits around the city.
Fraser is filmed wearing a Scotland shirt as he pipes the anthem which shares a familiar tune to the hymn Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah.
One Tartan Army supporter who is travelling to Germany for Scotland’s first game in Munich has a particularly personal reason for doing so.
A group of Scotland fans leave Glasgow Airport for Germany this morning
A steady stream of Tartan Army supporters has been pouring into the airport throughout the day
Paul Malik was in Glasgow Airport today and tweeted that the terminal’s Tennent’s bar had run out of the lager by 9am
X user Chris McCall added: ‘I’m told it was the same at Edinburgh airport last night. An angry pal was left drinking Stella’
A piper leads chants in Munich after the Tartan Army descended on the city for tomorrow’s Euros opener
Supporters were in good voice as they attend Scotland’s second major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France
Ally Brown, 41, who lives in Haddington, East Lothian, was given a bone marrow transplant by a German donor 25 years ago when he was aged 16.
Prior to that, he had four years of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a type of blood cancer – which had reoccurred three times.
He said: ‘It’s dead exciting we are playing against Germany in the tournament opener and I’m so lucky to have a ticket, I can’t wait.
‘My blood is 100% German so the country will always be close to my heart. But I’ll be shouting and singing for Scotland on Friday night.’
Mr Brown received a bone marrow transplant from a German woman through stem cell charity Anthony Nolan, which was founded in 1974.
It matches donors and patients and was set up by Shirley Nolan to find a match for her son, Anthony, who had a rare blood disorder.
Ally Brown, 41, has a particularly personal reason for travelling to Germany – he was given a bone marrow transplant by a German donor 25 years ago when he was aged 16
Back home, thirsty Brits are expected to down 300million pints of beer during the Euros.
And the figure could be even higher if England or Scotland reach the final on July 14.
The British Beer and Pub Association forecast that we will spend at least £1.4million on booze during the month-long competition.
Londoners are predicted to spend £120 each on booze, with folk in Manchester lashing out £92 and Southampton residents £91.
The Government has said pubs will be allowed to stay open until 1am if either England or Scotland reach the semis or the finals.
