Thousands of Scots descend on Stuttgart forward of crunch Euros conflict
- Scotland have great chance of progressing to knockout phase with a win tonight
Thousands of Scotland fans have descended on Stuttgart ahead of their side’s massive Euro 2024 match against Hungary tonight.
Tartan Army supporters drank with locals, sang football anthems and even put on a bagpipe concert as they prepared for one of the biggest games in their country’s history.
A win tonight against their Group A rivals would almost certainly see the Scots progress to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.
But a draw or a loss to the Magyars would see the team crash out at the group stage once again, just as they did in 2021.
The pre-match atmosphere was building in Stuttgart this afternoon with large groups of Scots invading the sun-soaked city dressed in tartan kilts and replica kits.
Scotland fans pictured in Stuttgart drinking pints ahead of tonight’s crunch match against Hungary
Supporters brandish bottles of Buckfast as they get ready for tonight’s game
Fans of Scotland mingled with Hungarians in the city as the pre-match atmosphere built up
A Scotland supporter shakes hands with a Hungary fan in Stuttgart hours before the big game
Two Scottish supporters chant in the Stuttgart Arena before the game
A Scotland fan with his side’s colours painted on his face pictured holding two beers in Stuttgart
Scottish supporters dressed in replica kits get the beers in before tonight’s massive game
And the sound of bagpipes screamed through the streets as the army of fans put on a well-rehearsed show which ended up on a stage in front of thousands of adoring spectators.
Meanwhile the Scottish side, who will be hoping to become national heroes tonight, were serenaded by supporters with a stirring rendition of Flowers of Scotland as they left the team hotel.
In amusing scenes elsewhere, one fan grabbed a staff member’s megaphone and launched into a performance of a song paying homage to Diego Maradona.
The late Argentinian footballer single-handedly knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup with the famous ‘Hand of God’ goal before scoring what has often been described as the goal of the century later in the match.
The same fan continued the show by singing Scotland’s national anthem before being joined by dozens of beer-drinking compatriots.
Thousands of Hungary fans will also be in attendance tonight with their side facing an early exit after losses to host nation Germany and Switzerland.
The Tartan Army mingled well with the Hungarians in Stuttgart, adding to the positive write-up their fans have received throughout the tournament.
Scottish fans drank and sang with German supporters before doing the same with the Swiss in Cologne earlier this week.
A group of Scotland fans, one playing the bagpipes, pictured standing on the railings at the Stuttgart Arena tonight
A Scottish fan plays the bagpipes in the stadium tonight
A Scot downs a pint in the stadium tonight ahead of the clash against Hungary
The beers begin to line up atop a flag brought all the way from Scotland
Another fan with a tartan hat raises his glass in anticipation for the crunch match this evening
Scots filled the stadium early tonight to support their country against Hungary
Some Scotland fans poured into the Stuttgart Arena hours before kick-off in anticipation for Sunday night’s clash
Scottish supporters wave a flag at the stadium before the match. Scotland must win the game against Hungary to progress to the knockout stages
Scots tuck into a pre-match meal in Stuttgart with one draping a flag round his neck
Scottish supporters turned up in the city in kilts and replica kits to cheer their side on
Earlier a well-rehearsed bagpipe performance took place which ended on a stage in front of adoring spectators
The show started as a march through the streets of Stuttgart but gathered a crowd of hundreds
Two fans earned plaudits after they were spotted holding an umbrella for an elderly man as the rain poured down at a fan park.
The moment has since been immortalised in a cartoon advert featured on German public transport.
But there is no love lost for the English, whose showdown against Slovenia on Tuesday will decide their Euros future, with members of the Tartan Army mocking the Auld Enemy with chants across Germany.
Scotland supporters even delivered some brutal and hilarious responses when asked to name their favourite English people as they partied in Stuttgart over the weekend.
Many were unable to come up with an answer. One simply said ‘Nobody’ while another, clad in an orange wig, hesitated for a second and simply walked away.
‘Basil Fawlty’ quipped one, referencing the hit BBC comedy ‘Fawlty Towers’.
Another name-dropped renowned TV host and reporter Gabby Logan, saying: ‘She’s beautiful and she’s married to a Scottish person [former rugby player Kenny Logan].’
One supporter chose Jordan Pickford and revealed he had split loyalties, explaining: ‘Jordan Pickford because I’m an Everton fan. But he’s got T-Rex arms.’
The vibrantly dressed Scots could be seen across Stuttgart today in the build up to a match that they must win
Scots sip away at lagers as the nerves set in for the crunch match against the Hungarians
Fans of old ages enjoyed a day in the sun in Stuttgart ahead of a huge fixture tonight
Scottish supporters pictured getting ready to cheer on their side in Germany this afternoon
Fans draped flags round themselves as they marched towards the stadium which will be packed come 8pm this evening
Two Scotland fans drink in the stands ahead of the big game in Stuttgart
Paul Gascoigne also earned a mention with another supporter adding: ‘I reckon Gascoigne is the best English person you’ll ever see.’
A further Scot opted for Steven Gerrard due to his Liverpool loyalties. Alluding to the viewpoint of some Reds supporters, he then said: ‘Scouse not English!’
Earlier Scotland fans were left grappling a dilemma after being asked by Mail Sport whether they would trade Steve Clarke’s side making it to the knock-out stage, if it meant England would win Euro 2024.
Some Scotland supporters were insistent it would be a trade they would be unwilling to accept.
‘Oh, get tae f*** no way,’ one Scotland fan responded, with his friend adding ‘Even if we progress, you’ll never win it anyway.’
‘Never, ever, ever we’re still having to hear about ’66 for f*** sake’.
Another responded ‘Absolutely not, no, I’d rather jump in the river of Cleland.’
Others were more open to the prospect if it mean Scotland reach the knock-out stage for the first time.
‘Yeah, because that’s progress for Scotland,’ one responded when posed the question.
Scots pictured crowded round a pub table and raising a glass as the nerves build for tonigh’s final match of Group A
Many members of the Tartan Army were in fine voice as they marched around Stuttgart and tucked into lagers
Earlier this week two fans received praise for holding an umbrella over the head of an elderly man
Supporters have since noticed an artist’s rendition of the heartwarming event immortalised on trains in Germany
Steve Clarke’s Scotland side could reach the last-16 if they beat Hungary in Group A on Sunday
Scotland fans have been split on advancing if it would mean Gareth Southgate’s England side triumph in Germany
Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knock-out stages remain alive after a draw with Switzerland
Thousands of Scotland fans are hoping the team could reach the last-16 for the first time
One member of the Tartan Army admitted they were relaxed about the prospect of England potentially winning the tournament, as they have other plans for the final in Berlin on July 14.
The supporters in question would go on to have something to cheer about as Scotland held Switzerland to a 1-1 draw to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.
A point marked what could prove to be a vital turnaround in Scotland’s tournament, after they were suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat at the hands of the hosts in their opening game.
Scotland’s hopes of progressing from Group A now rely on them getting a result against Hungary at the MHP Arena this evening.
A victory would see Scotland reach the four-point target set out by Steve Clarke before the tournament and could see them progress beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.
