Get the full lowdown in EURO 2024 Group A teams competing for glory in Germany.
Germany
Group A fixtures
vs Scotland (Munich, 14 June, 21:00)
vs Hungary (Stuttgart, 19 June, 18:00)
vs Switzerland (Frankfurt, 23 June, 21:00)
Qualifying
Qualified automatically as hosts
Pedigree
EURO best: Winners 1972, 1980 (both as West Germany), 1996
EURO 2020: Round of 16, lost 2-0 to England
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann has been on something of a roller-coaster ride since succeeding Hansi Flick in September 2023, but friendly wins against France and Netherlands in March seem to have sparked optimism and belief. The tactically astute 36-year-old selects players based on form, and convincing Toni Kroos to return from international retirement could turn out to be his best move yet.
Key player: İlkay Gündoğan
It will be up to the likes of Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané and Florian Wirtz to provide the attacking spark, but Gündoğan will be the man charged with instilling balance. Nagelsmann sees Gündoğan as a No10 who can make the players around him shine, and although the experienced captain may sometimes keep a low profile on the pitch, his team-mates benefit greatly from his intelligence and vision.
One to watch: Maximilian Mittelstädt
Regarded as one of the best left-backs in the Bundesliga in 2023/24, the 27-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise since being relegated with Hertha Berlin last term. Now at Stuttgart, Mittelstädt is set to enhance Germany’s options in the full-back position with his high work-rate and selfless attitude.
Did you know?
Germany are appearing at a record 14th EURO. They did not qualify for the first three editions (1960, 1964 and 1968) but have not missed a finals since.
Scotland
Group A fixtures
vs Germany (Munich, 14 June, 21:00)
vs Switzerland (Cologne, 19 June, 21:00)
vs Hungary (Stuttgart, 23 June, 21:00)
Qualifying
Group A runners-up: P8 W5 D2 L1 F17 A8
Qualifying top scorer: Scott McTominay (7)
Pedigree
EURO best: Group stage (1992, 1996, 2020)
EURO 2020: Group stage
Coach: Steve Clarke
Scotland have reached back-to-back European Championships under Clarke, the first Scotland manager to achieve that, and have qualified directly for a major finals for the first time since 1998. If they can reproduce their fine qualifying form, the next target for Clarke and company will be to make further history by becoming the first Scotland squad to progress beyond the group stage at a finals tournament.
Key player: Scott McTominay
With seven goals in qualifying, look no further than McTominay. At a time when he wasn’t a regular starter at Man United, Scotland became McTominay’s ‘happy place’ with Clarke urging him to play “with a smile on his face”. His memorable double in the 2-0 Hampden win over Spain certainly had all of Scotland smiling, and the Tartan Army will be hoping McTominay can reproduce his goalscoring form come mid-June.
One to watch: Tommy Conway
With previous wildcard Ben Doak withdrawn from the provisional squad through injury, attention now turns to his replacement, Bristol City striker Tommy Conway. The 21-year-old scored ten Championship goals for his club last season and has found the back of the net three times in seven games at Under-21 level. A strong runner and good finisher, Conway could be a key player off the bench.
Did you know?
This is the second time Scotland have qualified for back-to-back European Championships.
Hungary
Group A fixtures
vs Switzerland (Cologne, 15 June, 15:00)
vs Germany (Stuttgart, 9 June, 18:00)
vs Scotland (Stuttgart, 23 June, 21:00)
Qualifying
Group G winners: P8 W5 D3 L0 F16 A7
Qualifying top scorer: Barnabás Varga, Dominik Szoboszlai (4)
Pedigree
EURO best: Third place (1964)
EURO 2020: Group stage
Coach: Marco Rossi
Having led Hungary from Nations League C to A, come agonisingly close to progressing from a EURO 2020 group containing Germany, France and Portugal, and now, unbeaten, reached EURO 2024, Rossi’s popularity is sky high among players and fans alike. The Italian appears equally smitten, taking Hungarian citizenship. The togetherness, discipline and belief he has instilled among his squad is remarkable, with Hungary looking increasingly capable of springing a surprise or two.
Key player: Dominik Szoboszlai
Parallel to the meteoric rise of Hungary under Rossi has been that of Szoboszlai. Still only 23, Hungary’s midfield maestro is fast approaching 50 international appearances. Always a game changer, he and Hungary are thriving under his captaincy. A dead-ball specialist and box-to-box midfielder who offers athleticism, intensity, work-rate, pace, vision, creativity, goals, assists and a steely sense of purpose, Szoboszlai has taken his game to another level as on-field leader of this tightly knit Hungary side.
One to watch: Milos Kerkez
Twenty-year-old Kerkez came through the Rapid Wien and Milan academies before a breakthrough campaign at AZ and a transfer to the Premier League, where he’s had a fine first season with Bournemouth. At international level, Kerkez has quickly established himself as Hungary’s first-choice left wing-back since debuting against Germany in September 2022. Tough and reliable defensively, Kerkez possesses great technique and vision, and is also a tireless attacking threat on the overlap.
Did you know?
Hungary’s 14-match unbeaten run in the lead-up to the finals was their longest sequence since Ferenc Puskás and the Mighty Magyars – 18 games between July 1954 and February 1956 – under Gusztáv Sebes.
Switzerland
EURO 2024: Group A fixtures
vs Hungary (Cologne, 15 June, 15:00)
vs Scotland (Cologne, 19 June, 21:00)
vs Germany (Frankfurt, 23 June, 21:00)
Qualifying
Group I runners-up: P10 W4 D5 L1 F22 A11
Qualifying top scorer: Zeki Amdouni (6)
Pedigree
EURO best: Quarter-finals (2020)
EURO 2020: Quarter-finals, lost 3-1 on penalties to Spain (1-1 aet)
Coach: Murat Yakin
The 49-year-old has been at the ‘Nati’ helm since summer 2021. He oversaw Switzerland’s run to the last 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the knockout phase for a fifth straight major tournament. After a low-key end to their EURO 2024 qualifying campaign, Yakin will want his team to regain their famed consistency as they bid to extend that impressive run.
Key player: Granit Xhaka
Switzerland’s most-capped player will head into this tournament with confidence sky-high, having been a key part of Leverkusen’s astonishing season. The captain and midfield stalwart not only brings leadership qualities and a steely mentality, he also possesses excellent vision and a superb passing range. His position at the heart of midfield helps his team-mates tick in perfect rhythm.
One to watch: Ruben Vargas
The 25-year-old has evolved into a key player for Switzerland, scoring two typically crucial headers in qualifying draws against Israel and Kosovo to seal their finals spot. This will be the third major tournament for the winger, who is known for his skill on the ball, ability in one-v-ones, and goal threat.
Did you know?
EURO ’96 was Switzerland’s first European Championship finals; this year marks their sixth finals appearance in the last eight editions.
Culled: UEFA Euro 2024
