Germany or Scotland? There’s only one choice for England fans – and the professionals agree

When the European Championship kicks off in Munich on Friday, it might be thought that England fans will be confronted by something of a dilemma. The opening game features the host nation Germany taking on Scotland. For those backing Gareth Southgate’s men this could seem a quandary: never mind staying neutral, never mind hoping both sides lose, who are they to support? 

Clearly, if it were the other way round, there would be no issue. Were England playing Germany (as, if the stars align, they could do in the final) then in Scotland almost everyone would be right behind the Germans. Sales of German replica shirts would suddenly spike in Glasgow sportswear shops. Tesco stores in Aberdeen would be stocking up on Bitburger lager. Older fans would be digging out from the wardrobe the lederhosen last worn during the semi-final of 1996. You only have to watch the footage of Scotland fans partying in the squares of Munich ahead of Friday’s game, chanting their new favourite song about how Maradona once beat the English, to know which way things would go. 

In truth, it is not so much they would want the Germans to win, more they would be anxious to see England lose. Back in 1966, when England beat West Germany in the World Cup final (have we ever mentioned that?), the great Manchester United and Scotland striker Denis Law recalls putting himself to bed for the afternoon, sick to the stomach at the very idea of the woeful consequence of English supremacy. And this despite the fact two of his United team mates were playing that day for England. 

For the Scots, history, culture, politics, everything is invested in a football match with England. As it is in the Six Nations rugby too. This is not about being signed-up members of the SNP: when it comes to international football, Rangers fans who wave Union flags at home games to signal their loyalty to the crown are as likely to want to see England beaten as members of Nicola Sturgeon’s close family. There is no coincidence in the fact the first ever international match was between Scotland and England. From the very off, football was a representation of difference. And for the Scots, 152 years on from that first game, the England team still represents the dominant power, the overwhelming force in island relations, the very noisy neighbours. 

But for the English fans, things will be more nuanced on Friday evening. This may appear the toughest of choices, the nightmare selection process. Who do they want to win? The Auld Enemy or the Old Nemesis? Here’s the thing: with Germany, it is mainly about football. For sure, there will be a few uncouth England fans at the Euros this summer harking back to history, singing about German bombers and relative numbers of wins in world wars. But for the overwhelming majority of English supporters, feelings will be dictated by what has happened out on the pitch. 

In straight footballing terms, Germany have been a far more frequent challenger to English ambition than the Scots. Eight times the two countries have met in the final stages of international tournaments, a place the Scotland team tends not to frequent. And while there have been glorious moments of redemption (the quarter-final of the last Euros, the 1966 World Cup final – did we mention that?) mainly it has been a story of English disappointment. By hook, crook and penalty shoot out, as Gary Lineker famously put it, the Germans tend to win. 

And such sporting statistics seep into the collective consciousness. The fact is when the game kicks off on Friday most England fans – albeit reluctantly and without much enthusiasm – will be hoping for a tartan conclusion. Anyone, indeed, but Germany. And to prove the point, here’s what our own sporting luminaries have to say on the matter.

Moe Sbihi

A three-time Olympian and gold medal winning rower