Scotland followers deliver automobiles stuffed with Buckfast tonic wine to Germany
Its history dates back to 1897 when monks at an abbey in Devon began making tonic wine based on a traditional recipe from France.
But Buckfast Tonic Wine has since become a staple drink for many in Scotland and has now invaded Germany after the Tartan Army brought it to Munich.
Scottish fans heading to Euro 2024 have packed bottles of ‘Bucky’ in their luggage and many have been drinking it in the city square ahead of tonight’s match.
One TikTok video under the account ‘thebuckiebus’ showed a car loaded up with boxes of Buckfast bottles, with the caption: ‘Jam packed and Germany bound!’
But not everyone got to finish their bottle – with fan Craig Ferguson accidentally dropping and smashing his on the ground during a live interview on Sky News.
A Scotland fan drinks Buckfast in the Marienplatz in Munich today ahead of tonight’s match
A German fan also tries out Buckfast in Munich today but does not seem that impressed
A Scotland fan holds a bottle of Buckfast next to presenter Laura Woods in Munich today
A TikTok video under the account ‘thebuckiebus’ shows a car loaded up with boxes of Buckfast
The TikTok video showing the Buckfast had the caption: ‘Jam packed and Germany bound!’
Asked by reporter Rob Harris for his prediction for the Germany match, Mr Ferguson – who has a ticket – began to speak when the bottle slipped out of his hands.
As the crowd gasped, Mr Ferguson – who had spent 41 days walking to Germany from Glasgow to raise money for charity – said: ‘Sorry, I’m so sorry mate.’
The 20-year-old, who has raised more than £60,000 in aid of men’s mental health and suicide prevention, had been handed a Buckfast as he arrived in Munich.
But after he dropped the bottle in front of the onlookers, Mr Harris reassured him: ‘Many more drinks to come.’
And Mr Ferguson said: ‘I know, I know.’
Various theories exist for how Buckfast became such a big hit in Scotland, with one linked to Celtic fans in the 1970s who liked its similarity to communion wine.
Scotland fan Craig Ferguson accidentally dropped and smashed his Buckfast in a TV interview
The bottle smashed on the floor while Craig Ferguson spoke to Sky News in Munich yesterday
The drink is a blend of 15 per cent fortified wine and 280mg of added caffeine, which is the equivalent of six cups of coffee or nine cans of coke.
It was originally created by Benedictine monks at Buckfast Abbey in Devon in the late 19th century and is still made using many of the same ingredients.
It comes as millions of Scots are set to will the national men’s football team on to victory as they take on Germany in the highly anticipated opening match of Euro 2024 tonight, with a kick-off of 8pm UK time (9pm local).
The match in Munich is the first of 51 to be played over the next month to decide the next European champions, with the final taking place at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on July 14.
Tens of thousands of members of the Tartan Army have made the trip to Germany to cheer on their heroes, and at home thousands more are expected to pack out venues specially set up in cities to screen the game.
Supporters of Scotland and Germany cheer at the Marienplatz city square in Munich today
Scotland fans have a party at the Marienplatz square in Munich today before tonight’s match
An aerial view of the Marienplatz square in Munich today as Scotland fans descend on the area
Germany are third favourite to win the tournament behind France and England and while the odds appear to be stacked heavily against Scotland beating them, many supporters are hoping their side can take something from Friday night’s game.
Scotland have never beaten Germany in a competitive fixture and have won only one of their last nine matches – a 2-0 friendly win over minnows Gibraltar at the start of the month.
Speaking to a packed media conference at the Munich Arena, manager Steve Clarke said every one of his players was ‘desperate’ to be picked to play in tonight’s clash.
First Minister John Swinney, who will be attending the match, told Holyrood during First Minister’s Questions yesterday that it was ‘great to see Scotland back in Europe where we rightly belong’.
