The 2024 European Football Championship kicked off on June 14th at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, with the host team Germany facing Scotland. 200,000 Scottish fans came to Munich to support their team, but in the end, Germany triumphed over Scotland with a score of 5-1.
Before the match, the streets of Munich were filled with fans wearing Scottish kilts, carrying bagpipes, as well as German jerseys and Bavarian traditional clothing. Fans from both sides mingled harmoniously, chatting and enjoying beer together. Many Scottish visitors praised Munich for its beauty and the friendly nature of the German people, describing the atmosphere as pleasant and peaceful. Some even joked about the affordability of German beer compared to Scotland.
Jem Dachlut, a former senior officer from Scotland, jokingly remarked, “With 200,000 Scottish people here, Munich might be in trouble. I feel like I’m still in Scotland.” Reflecting on the match, he said, “We were hoping for a 0-0 draw.”
An architect from Scotland praised Munich as a beautiful and clean city, noting the well-organized infrastructure that allowed people to move around easily. Holding up his beer bottle, he exclaimed, “Munich is beautiful and prices are fair. Just look at him, he’s smiling.” Pointing to a German fan nearby, he added, “Don’t laugh, you have no idea how cheap this beer is. In Scotland, this would cost 5 euros, here it’s only two.”
Markus, a German engineer living in Munich, expressed his delight at the friendly atmosphere between both sets of fans, especially praising the enthusiasm and friendliness of the Scottish fans. He hoped for a 3-0 victory for the German team that night, acknowledging their poor performance the previous year.
High school student Jumata from Munich described the evening as a joyous and friendly celebration, emphasizing the unity and camaraderie between fans from both sides. Confident in Germany’s victory, he predicted a score of 2-1.
Another high school student, Eick, aged 16, marveled at the incredible atmosphere and the hospitality of the Scottish fans, expressing his belief in a 3-0 win for Germany.
Gao Jiehui, a project manager originally from Scotland living in Germany, expressed hope for a Scottish victory but admitted that Germany played better and believed they were the stronger team.
Miss Han, a tourist in Munich, found the football atmosphere lively and festive, promoting cultural exchanges between different cities and noting the friendly interactions among people. Despite crowded subways, she appreciated the politeness and sincerity of the German people on her first visit to the country.
Stevie Kewly, a retired mechanical engineer from Scotland, praised Munich’s beautiful architecture and the politeness of everyone he encountered. He was pleased that both German and Scottish fans got along well without any disturbances, thanks in part to a quiet police presence monitoring the situation.
Kewly emphasized that Scottish fans were self-regulating and respectful, intervening if anyone behaved inappropriately. Overall, he was satisfied with the friendly atmosphere and the lack of incidents among the fans.