Scotland fan breaks his cellphone forward of Euro 2024 kick off
- Scotland face tournament hosts Germany in tonight’s opening Euro 2024 match
- It is the first time they have appeared abroad in a major tournament in 26 years
A Scotland fan in Munich smashed his phone containing his match tickets for tonight’s game before losing his wallet in preparation for the Tartan Army’s first major tournament since Euro 2020.
However, it is 26 years since Scotland appeared in a major overseas tournament. Euro 2020 – which took place amid strict Covid conditions – prevented fans from travelling en-masse to England.
Scotland fan Colin Robertson from Buchaven on the east coast of Fife is one of the tens of thousands of supporters to have travelled to Germany.
However, within hours of his arrival, Mr Robertson was at risk of missing tonight’s crunch match against the hosts, Germany.
He told GMB: ‘We arrived on Wednesday. I smashed my phone and my tickets were on my phone. I lost my wallet so it has been eventful.
Scotland fan Colin Robertson from Buchaven on the east coast of Fife smashed his phone hours after arriving in Germany before losing his wallet leaving him at risk of missing tonight’s crunch game against the hosts
Mr Robertson said his phone contained his tickets for the game, but fortunately some friends arranged for him to pick up a replacement handset so he could go to the match
Thousands of Scotland fans have arrived in the Bavarian capital Munich for the opening match of Euro 2024
‘But a few friends sorted me out with a phone from the store in the city so I have my tickets back.’
Reports of Munich pubs running out of beer have spread among Scotland fans, though Clemens Baumgartner, head of tourism in the Bavarian capital assured members of the Tartan Army that there are plentiful supplies.
‘Munich is never going to run out of alcohol because beer is the main theme in Munich. We have some world-class breweries here in Munich, they produce so much beer.’
Challenging Scotland fans, Mr Baumgartner added: ‘You cannot drink out Munich.’
Ahead of the game, fans have travelled over land, air and sea but one Scottish football chairman took a unique approach – by flying in a two-seater propeller plane over the North Sea.
David Smith, chairman of Scottish Championship side Ayr United, was flown to Germany by friend and Ayr United director Fraser MacIntyre.
Fraser’s previous longest flight was to Southampton on the South coast of England before he pulled off the 1,100-mile jaunt to Germany.
The duo shared the news that their journey to the European Championships had been a success yesterday after successfully flying to their destination.
The plane dubbed Ayrforce one in a nod to the United States President’s own aircraft took off yesterday morning with the pair decked out in Scotland shirt with saltires.
Munich tourism chiefs have told the Tartan Army that the city has plenty of beer and will not run out of alcohol during the festival of football
Now, the pair will hope that Scotland can pull off their own mammoth task and defeat hosts Germany in the opening game of Euro 2024 in Munich.
The single propeller plane cruised through the skies with the pair sharing pictures of their spot at a German airfield with a saltire across the front windshield.
Ayrforce one touched down in Germany yesterday (THUR) with Fraser and David taking to social media to confirm their safe arrival.
Social media fans were left concerned for their safety after the pair announced their daring flight yesterday.
David shared an image of himself and Fraser standing on the tiny aircraft proudly holding up their Scotland flags before they set off.
His post was captioned: ‘We’re on our way with Fraser MacIntyre at the wheel. Furthest he’s flown is Southampton, what could go wrong?
‘Ayrforce one on its way to see Scotland National Team.’
The post received thousands of likes and comments from social media users who were quick to offer their thoughts on the unique mode of transport.
One said: ‘Oh dear me, please be so safe you two.’
Another added: ‘Could have shared the tail number so we could track on FlightRadar.’
A third replied: ‘Ayrforce One’ Love it. Enjoy yourselves. Let’s Go Scotland, Let’s Go.’
Another replied: ‘Looking forward to bumping into you for a few beers, easy to find as there will be only about 100,000 of us here.’
Fans heading to the game brought Brussels Airport to a standstill while waiting for a connecting flight to Germany by singing Flower of Scotland.
Video shows tourists quickly grabbing their phones to film the hundreds of Scotland supporters decked out in an array of Scotland’s tops from bygone tournaments.
The clip was captured by retired pro Gary Peebles, the former St Mirren and Partick Thistle midfielder who was making his way over to Germany for the game.
The 57-year-old captured the mood of the Scots who have waited 26 years for an away day at a major tournament.
Fans can be heard singing the second verse of Flower of Scotland belting out the lyrics singing: ‘Those days are past now, and, in the past, they must remain, but we can still rise now and be a nation again.
‘That stood against him, proud Edward’s army and sent him homeward to think again.’
A loud cheer goes up as the anthem finishes before the fans begin to board their flights filled with optimism that Scotland can progress from the group stage for the first time ever.
Gary shared the video to social media yesterday (THUR) with the caption: ‘Tartan Army in fine voice, Brussels Airport just about to board flight to Munich.’
His post received over 1,800 likes with dozens of comments from supporters who loved what they were seeing.
One said: ‘Outstanding.’
Another added: ‘Goosebumps.’
A third replied: ‘Magic stuff.’
