EURO 2024 hosts Germany seeking 1st European title since 1996

By Can Erozden

Germany, long revered as a powerhouse in the world of football, are looking for their first European title since 1996 as they get ready to play the UEFA EURO 2024 on home soil.

The three-time EURO champions automatically qualified for the group stage where they will play Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland.

EURO 2024 will kick off Friday at the Munich Football Arena (Bayern Munich's home Allianz Arena) with Germany vs. Scotland.

Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil but has since had disappointments in major tournaments.

They took World Cup group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, and sandwiched a Round of 16 loss to rivals England by 2-0 at EURO 2020, which was held in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Julian Nagelsmann's Germany are vying for the EURO title with the support of the home crowd.

Germany participated in 13 European Championships. They were named West Germany for five EURO tournaments from 1972-1988.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) was again called for national duty. The 38-year-old is a Germany regular and was a pillar for the team when they won the 2014 World Cup.

Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid's big man, will lead Germany in defense.

Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), who will retire after the tournament, and Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) are expected to play at the center of the park. German champions Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz was also confirmed to play for Germany. Arsenal star Kai Havertz is another big name for the squad.

After Miroslav Klose's retirement, Germany lacked a world-class No.9 in the penalty area. Borussia Dortmund's 6’2” forward Niclas Fullkrug will shoulder that responsibility at EURO 2024. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), a long-time Germany forward, will help with the offense.

Germany has a star-studded squad, especially in the midfield, but there are also many big absences such as Bayern Munich midfielders Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry, and Dortmund's Mats Hummels, Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi. Among them, only Gnabry is hurt, with a hamstring injury.

- Germany's squad for EURO 2024:

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)

Defenders: Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Frankfurt), David Raum (Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (Stuttgart), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)

- Scotland to play back-to-back EURO for 2nd time

Another Group A team, Scotland, are set to play back-to-back European championships after a drought in playing in consecutive tournaments.

The Scottish national team first played in EURO 1992 and then in 1996, which was held in England. Then they missed five EUROs -- 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016.

Scotland have appeared in the last continental contest, EURO 2020, where they met England, Croatia and the Czech Republic. All teams in that group, except Scotland, have advanced to the knockouts.

The Scottish team have never gone beyond the group stage in the European championship's history.

Scott McTominay is the leader of the Scottish national team. The 27-year-old is a valuable member for Scotland and Manchester United.

Left-back Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) is another big name for Scotland. John McGinn, a central midfielder, spent a fruitful season at Aston Villa, helping his club come fourth in the English Premier League.

Scotland booked their place in EURO 2024 by finishing the qualifying group in the second spot after Spain.

Scotland's squad:

Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), James Forrest (Celtic), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), Ryan Jack (Rangers), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Lewis Morgan (New York RB)

Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Tommy Conway (Bristol City), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)

- Hungary make 3rd EURO in row

After having a 44-year drought, Hungary reached EURO 2016 -- their first since 1972. In France 2016, they were eliminated in the last 16.

Hungary are now set to play their third EURO in a row after winning their qualifying group.

They were previously eliminated in the EURO 2020 group stage as Hungary were in the "Group of Death" three years ago. They took two points in three matches in the group where they faced former champions France, Germany and Portugal.

Hungary will participate in the EURO finals for the fifth time.

Their best showing came in 1964 when the national team ended in the third spot. In 1972, Hungary was fourth.

Dominik Szoboszlai-led Hungary won the qualifiers to participate in Germany 2024.

Szoboszlai, who is the captain, is a Hungary star. The 23-year-old midfielder played regularly for Liverpool last season.

Hungary's squad:

Goalkeepers: Denes Dibusz (Ferencvaros), Peter Gulacsi (Leipzig), Peter Szappanos (Paks)

Defenders: Botond Balogh (Parma), Endre Botka (Ferencvaros), Marton Dardai (Hertha Berlin), Attila Fiola (Fehervar), Adam Lang (Omonia Nicosia), Willi Orban (Leipzig), Attila Szalai (Freiburg)

Midfielders: Bendeguz Bolla (Servette), Mihaly Kata (MTK), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth), Laszlo Kleinheisler (Hajduk Split), Adam Nagy (Spezia), Zsolt Nagy (Puskas Akademia), Loic Nego (Le Havre), Andras Schafer (Union Berlin), Callum Styles (Sunderland)

Forwards: Martin Adam (Ulsan Hyundai), Kevin Csoboth (Ujpest), Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union), Krisztofer Horvath (Kecskemat), Roland Sallai (Freiburg), Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool), Barnabas Varga (Ferencvaros)

- Switzerland set for their 6th EURO appearance

Switzerland will play in their sixth European championship.

Switzerland, known as "Nati" (National team), previously participated in EURO 1996, 2004, 2008 as co-hosts, 2016 and 2020, and have developed a habit of playing in the tournament.

Their best result came in EURO 2020 as Switzerland shocked France on penalties in the last 16 phase before being eliminated by Spain in the quarterfinals.

Coach Murat Yakin's Nati, who were the qualifying group runners-up to make the finals in Germany, have many important players.

Goalkeepers Yann Sommer (Inter Milan) and Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), defenders Manuel Akanji (Manchester City) and Fabian Schar (Newcastle United), midfielders Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen) and Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire), and forwards Breel Embolo (Monaco), Noah Okafor (AC Milan) and Zeki Amdouni (Burnley) are players who can have an impact on the pitch.

Switzerland squad:

Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer (Inter Milan), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Marvin Keller (Winterthur), Pascal Loretz (Luzern)

Defenders: Ricardo Rodriguez (Torino), Fabian Schar (Newcastle United), Manuel Akanji (Manchester City), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Silvan Widmer (Mainz 05), Kevin Mbadu (Augsburg), Ulisses Garcia (Olympique Marseille), Cedric Zesigner (Wolfsburg), Leonidas Stergiou (Stuttgart), Aurele Amenda (Young Boys), Albuan Hajdari (Lugano), Bryan Okoh (Salzburg)

Midfielders: Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen), Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Denis Zakaria (Monaco), Michel Aebischer (Bologna), Fabian Rieder (Rennes), Uran Bislimi (Lugano), Ardon Jashari (Luzern), Filip Ugrinic (Young Boys), Vincent Sierro (Toulouse)

Forwards: Breel Embolo (Monaco), Steven Zuber (AEK Athens), Ruben Vargas (Augsburg), Renato Steffen (Lugano), Noah Okafor (AC Milan), Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Andi Zeqiri (Genk), Dan Ndoye (Bologna), Kwadwo Duah (Ludogorets), Joel Monteiro (Young Boys)

- Group A fixtures:

June 14 (1900 GMT): Germany vs. Scotland (Munich Football Arena)

June 15 (1300 GMT): Hungary vs. Switzerland (Cologne Stadium)

June 19 (1600 GMT): Germany vs. Hungary (Stuttgart Arena)

June 19 (1900 GMT): Scotland vs. Switzerland (Cologne Stadium)

June 23 (1900 GMT): Switzerland vs. Germany (Frankfurt Arena)

June 23 (1900 GMT): Scotland vs. Hungary (Stuttgart Arena)