Graham Fraser
BBC Scotland News in Munich

Marienplatz in Munich city centre has been the focus of fans - particularly the Tartan Army - since Wednesday afternoon at least.

The beautiful square has heard many a bagpipe this week. This was the scene at 13:00 local time, so eight hours to kick-off.

The crowds are gathering all the time. I hope you enjoy some timelapse of the scene, and I do not apologise for my choice of accompanying music!

Follow BBC Scotland's live coverage of today's build-up here.

That is an amazing effort Sam, you have nailed it.

For anyone who does not have Sam's patience and artistic flair, in true Blue Peter tradition, here is one the BBC made for you earlier:

Just click here to download it.

Eight hours later, EURO 2024 wallchart is ready for kick-off tonight ✅ From Sam in Worcester, aged 8

Image source, @Sam

Borussia Dortmund

Image source, Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June.

Across two spells, the 35-year-old made more than 300 appearances for Dortmund.

The news comes after manager Edin Terzic left earlier this week after asking the club "to terminate his contract with immediate effect".

German newspaper Bild , externalreported that Hummels was involved in a bust-up with Terzic days before the Champions League final, with Hummels reportedly criticising the team's style of play.

Image source, BBC Sport

Will your football knowledge lead your nation to Euro 2024 glory?

Our ultimate Euros quiz will find out!

It's no walk in the park though. Every question you get right takes you a step closer to the title.

But get just one question wrong, and you're immediately eliminated. Good luck!

Click here to test your knowledge

A total of 24 countries will compete for the Henri Delaunay trophy over the next month. Here's a wee look at the groups!

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland

Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania

Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England

Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France

Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine

Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic

Each side will play three group matches, hoping to earn enough points to progress to the last 16.

If we rewind the clock back 20 years, massive underdogs Greece took on hosts Portugal on the opening day of Euro 2004 and caused a huge upset by winning 2-1. Greece finished their group on four points, with a win, draw and a loss overall.

It just goes to show, sometimes you don't need to win every group game to go on and win the Euros outright, which, of course, is exactly what Greece managed to do.

Greece aren't at this years Euros, but could history repeat itself with a new underdog emerging victorious?

Image source, Getty Images

Graham Fraser
BBC Scotland News in Munich

The Tartan Army are in Munich - with up to 200,000 Scotland supporters in the city to watch the opening game of the Euros between Scotland and the hosts Germany.

There won’t be many fans who have travelled further than Gary Irvine, his wife Kim and their sons Ross and Greg, who live in Perth, Western Australia.

They flew from Perth to Dubai, and then on to Munich.

Gary met up with me to talk about travelling across the world to support Scotland, his hopes for the big game against Germany … and a forthcoming trip home to Paisley to see his mum.

Follow BBC Scotland's live coverage of today's build-up here.

Poland

Poland striker and all-time leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski is likely to be available for their second group game against Austria next Friday, according to boss Michal Probierz.

The Barcelona forward, 35, will miss Poland's tournament opener against the Netherlands on Saturday after sustaining a thigh injury in their warm-up game against Turkey.

Poland manger Probierz said: "I'm surprised when I read comments that it's impossible when a muscle is torn. There are different degrees of such an injury. There is progress in his treatment, the medical staff are doing everything to get him back on his feet."

Image source, Getty Images

So are you ready for wall-to-wall football?

Scotland and England bookend the opening run of matches, with Steve Clarke's side getting the party started tonight and Gareth Southgate's men capping off an action-packed weekend.

Whatever your plans, don't forget that every game will be shown live on free-to-air TV. Check out the full schedule here.

For now, though, here are the opening weekend's fixtures and how you can watch them:

Friday, 14 June

Germany v Scotland (20:00) - ITV

Saturday, 15 June

Hungary v Switzerland (14:00) - ITV; Spain v Croatia (17:00) - ITV; Italy v Albania (20:00) - BBC

Sunday, 16 June

Poland v Netherlands (14:00) - BBC; Slovenia v Denmark (17:00) - ITV; Serbia v England (20:00) - BBC

Any more questions? These links will tell you everything you need to know:

• How to follow Euro 2024 on the BBC
• Euro 2024 Groups & Schedule

Image source, Getty Images

This tournament will have the same format as Euro 2020.

The top two teams in each group will progress to the round of 16, along with the four best third-placed finishers.

Remember, there is hope for sides that sneak into the knockout rounds via the back door - eventual champions Portugal finished third in their group in 2016 after drawing all three of their opening matches.

Euro 2024 is almost upon us and it's time to test your knowledge of the competing nations.

The tournament kicks off on Friday with hosts Germany playing Scotland. As the anticipation builds, take the quiz below to see how many teams you can identify from their national shirt badge.

There are clues and trivia along the way to help you guess and swot up before it all kicks off in Munich.

Click here to take the quiz

Graham Fraser
BBC Scotland News in Munich

There are a fair amount of German fans in Marienplatz in Munich city centre this lunchtime, but the Tartan Army outnumber them 10 maybe 20 to 1. Who knows! There are a lot of Scots here, and everywhere, in Munich.

One German fan attempted to start a sing-song on his megaphone, but a member of the Tartan Army took over to show him how it is done.

Follow BBC Scotland's live coverage of today's build-up here.

Scotland

Image source, PA Media

Scotland captain Andy Robertson sounded a defiant tone after arriving in Munich yesterday to begin the final countdown to tonight's Euros opener against hosts Germany in Munich.

The Liverpool full-back was part of the Scotland squad that earned just one point in a disappointing group-stage campaign in the 2020 Euros.

"We know what's at stake," said the 30-year-old defender, as he aims to help his country progress to the knockout stages for the first time in an international tournament.

"We've got a lot of incentive but one is becoming that legendary squad - that has to drive us forward."

"We don't want to have any regrets this time," he added.

"What's the worst that can happen? We go on to a long list of teams that haven't made it out of the group, or we put ourselves in a position to make history.

"We're excited by the challenge, we're excited about what's ahead, and if we perform the way I know we can perform then I'm confident we can make history."

I wonder if the pictures from Marienplatz today will match those we saw on Thursday. It has taken a while for the Scotland fans to surface this morning but we are starting to see signs of life again...

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Dieter Reiter - the Mayor of Munich has a brilliant name. Right up there with Gary, Phil and Tracey's late father Neville Neville...

The Mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter has been mingling with Scotland fans at Marienplatz.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Angus Cochrane
BBC Scotland News

Image source, BBC Scotland

At a cafe above the ever-busier Marienplatz in Munich, father and son Craig and Sam Scott explain the striking contrast in their attire.

Craig emigrated 15 years ago and has settled with his German wife near Hamburg. While he’s cheering on Scotland, his son Sam is backing the hosts.

They’re both optimistic about the prospect of a party, but less about Scotland’s chances - though Craig says the ski goggles he’s sporting are just in case he needs to shield his eyes from champagne corks.

“Scotland's win was possibly getting to the Euros,” says Craig.

And what will Sam do if Scotland do nick a goal?

“I’m sure he’d celebrate - it’s just all about having a good time,” Craig tells BBC Scotland News.

Follow BBC Scotland's live coverage of today's build-up here.

Graham Fraser
BBC Scotland News in Munich

The Tartan Army have been arriving in Munich for the past few days ahead of the opening game of the Euros against Germany later tonight.

Up to 200,000 supporters are expected in the city. Everywhere you look, you see someone in a Scotland top and a kilt.

From charity walker Craig Ferguson to the thousands of fans enjoying a sing-song in Munich city centre, the Tartan Army are ready for the big game.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have signed Morocco defender Chadi Riad for £12m plus £2m in add-ons.

The 20-year-old arrives on a long-term contract until June 2029.

He said: "The club has high-level players who are young and I have come here to follow their same trajectory, to grow as they have grown."

Image source, Getty Images