Image source, SNS

Scottish football commentator Derek Rae told Good Morning Scotland that Germany fans are cautiously optimistic heading into their home tournament:

"There's not an expectation that Germany will win the Euros, results have been patchy over a number of years.

"But the feeling is with this group of players, Nagelsmann team should be able to go pretty far. They shouldn't be making their exit in the group stage.

"Germany will feel that they ought to win the game but it's been really fascinating to talk to German friends and colleagues. Very few believe this will be a cakewalk. They feel Germany will prevail but probably not by too much.

"The atmosphere [at national games] is often a little bit plastic. It seems a bit more artificial, a bit less organic. Nagelsmann has tried to bring back some of the passion. He's had modest success so far."

At the risk of starting an enormous argument, here's the Match of the Day pundits picking a combined England/Scotland XI...

Angus Cochrane
BBC Scotland News

The Olympiapark in Munich is the main destination for the tens of thousands of fans without tickets.

An alert sent out on the Uefa app at about 15:30 warned the fan zone was at full capacity and would be temporarily closed.

Half an hour later there was a steady stream of fans is continuing to come through - but a Uefa official told me they were nearing the 25,000 capacity and may shut the entrance soon.

Inside, Ewen MacDonald, from Argyll, is with family friend Johannes Ropertz, from Munich

Johannes, wearing a kilt gifted by his friend, says it's been "absolutely amazing" to have thousands of Scots in his hometown. "It's magic," says Ewen.

As for the game, Ewen says there's "no pressure" on Steve Clarke's men.

Johannes predicts a "fair game" but admits a defeat for Germany would be a "disaster".

Would he trust his friend to be respectful and keep his cool were Scotland to score? "Absolutely not," he laughs.

Gary Dicker, who played under Steve Clarke at Kilmarnock and captained the Ayrshire side, has posted on X, external to say that the manager will give the players all the confidence they need before tonight's match.

Reacting to Clarke's "respect everyone and fear no one" message, Dicker said: "The master at giving you the belief you can beat anyone …. with a simple message like that. Only one team I’ll be support at the Euro’s #Euro2024"

Image source, Getty Images

Across Scotland, care home residents are supporting Steve Clarke's side, including this optimistic bunch at Jesmond care home in Aberdeen.

"We're so excited to watch on and hold down the fort here in Scotland, but we're with the Tartan Army in spirit," Alex Young, resident at Jesmond Care Home said. "Scotland for the win!”

Under four hours to kick-off!

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Did you see Scotland play Spain in the build-up to this? We did them. Then we nearly did it again in Spain.

We done it to the Norwegians with some guy called Erling Haaland too.

You look through the team, and the spirit of the team, and I don't think there's one of them that will be fearful.

Especially the likes of Robertson, McTominay, McGinn, do they look like they're going to be fearful? No chance!

Image source, PA Media

• Germany and Scotland are facing each other for the third time at a major tournament. Germany won the two previous encounters, in the group stages of the 1986 World Cup (2-1) and Euro 1992 (2-0).
• Scotland have won only one of their last 13 matches against Germany (D4 L8); it was in April 1999, with Don Hutchison scoring the only goal in a Bremen friendly (0-1).
• Germany are taking part in their 14th Euros, more than any other team. They have won the trophy three times, the joint-most alongside Spain.
• This is the fourth time that Germany are sole hosts of a major international tournament, reaching the final four in each of the previous three editions: champions at the 1974 World Cup, semi-finalists at Euro 1988 and third place at the 2006 World Cup.
• Scotland are making their fourth appearance at the Euros after 1992, 1996 and 2020. They have so far never reached the knockout stages of the tournament.
• Scotland’s two wins (out of nine matches) at the Euros came against CIS in 1992 and Switzerland in 1996. They have failed to score in six of their nine matches.
• Scotland won their first five Euro 2024 qualifiers but then failed to win any of their final three (D2 L1), conceding seven goals in those games after only shipping one goal in their first five games.

Image source, Getty Images

• Germany have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 12 games at major international tournaments. The last time they kept a clean sheet was against Slovakia in the round of 16 at Euro 2016.
• Germany have won only one of their last five matches played in Munich (D3 L1), a 4-2 victory against Portugal at Euro 2020.

• Thomas Muller has scored 10 goals in 19 appearances at the World Cup (36 shots), while he’s never scored in 15 appearances at the Euros (31 shots).

• Scott McTominay scored seven goals for Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying, the joint most by a Scottish player in a qualifying campaign, along with Steven Fletcher (Euro 2016) and John McGinn (Euro 2020).
• This is Steve Clarke’s second major international tournament as head-coach, after Euro 2020. He’s the first Scotland boss to lead the team into two consecutive European Championships.

Steven Godden
BBC Scotland in Munich

Tartan Army foot soldier Gabriel Martin was so determined to see Scotland kick off the Euros in Germany he hobbled to Munich.

The 26-year-old from Glasgow thought he’d blown his chance when he tore ankle ligaments playing fives last Tuesday.

"Can I still go?" was the first question he asked the doctor after an x-ray showed his ballooned ankle wasn’t broken.

Gabriel says he’s promised his parents he’ll be sensible but that missing out on a trip to Munich wasn’t an option.

Newly-unearthed archive footage shows the Tartan Army in high spirits as Scotland launched their 1974 World Cup campaign 50 years ago.

Not much has changed, not really.

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I want to see the technical and tactical side of Scotland, but I have to use this phrase too, I want to see them get intae them.

Let them know they're in a game.

Sam Huxley
BBC Radio 5 live

It may be more than four hours before kick-off, but it looks like Scotland have got off to a promising start...

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

The amount of people that have been waiting for this, a whole generation has passed since France '98.

Since then you're a quarter of a century on, we got to the last one but it was a weird one in Covid times and you couldn't really travel for it.

This time, anybody of any age is thinking this might be it, I don't care if I get into the stadium or not, I'm going to be there.

Image source, Getty Images

Germany have made slow starts in their recent tournament struggles, losing their opening match at the last three major tournaments...

Germany 0-1 Mexico (17 June, 2018):

The then-reigning world champions made a disastrous start to their bid to win back-to-back World Cups with a shock defeat.

Hirving Lozano's first-half goal was the difference between the two sides in an enthralling encounter in Moscow, as Joachim Low's side looked remarkably vulnerable in defence.

France 1-0 Germany (15 June, 2021):

Despite their billing as an away side, it was in Munich that Germany fell to defeat thanks to a Mats Hummels own goal in a heavyweight clash.

In what would be Low's final hurrah, Germany once again lacked the composure that they had been known for just a few years prior.

Germany 1-2 Japan (23 November, 2022):

A stunning late comeback from Japan saw four-time winners Germany fall to a shock defeat in their opening World Cup game in Qatar.

Germany dominated a frenetic match but failed to capitalise before substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano turned the game on its head. Low's replacement, Hansi Flick, would become the first Germany manager to be sacked.

Image source, Getty Images

The bold Jonathan Sutherland got a few more predictions last night, including one very special name...

Sir Alex Ferguson: I'm hopeful. They'll do well.

Darren Fletcher: I'd take a result. This game won't define the group, but I'd take a good performance and a draw - let's say 1-1.

The fans will be the best in the tournament and do the country proud - just like the team will. They'll outnumber every other set of fans here.

Sir Tom Hunter: I'm an optimist, but a realist too. I think we'll get through, but tomorrow will be tough. We've got beat Hungary and Switzerland and that'll be our Euros won. Steve Clarke oozes quiet confidence and it rubs off on the players.

Gavin Hastings: Before any big event, the anticipation is enormous and you wonder if this will be the occasion that Scotland rise to it.

Steve [Clarke] has done a great job and he seems to take the pressure off the players. He doesn't get too carried away, he's on a pretty level keel all the time. I'll go for 1-1.

Some effort Patrick.

Much rather you than me...

Patrick Buxton: Re the Irvine family coming from Western Australia…I flew from Hobart, Tasmania to Edinburgh, then met up with friends Ken Stewart and Gordon McKenzie and cycled from Edinburgh, arriving in Munich last night!

Keep your tales and thoughts on tonight's game coming via this link, external.

Image source, SNS

In domestic news, Aberdeen have released an update on their squad for next season.

Scotland U21 midfielder Connor Barron will depart the club, alongside Kelle Roos and Anthony Stewart, but Junior Hoilett has been offered a permanent deal and could extend his stay at Pittodrie.

The Dons made several offers to try to persuade 21-year-old Barron - who has been linked with a move to Rangers - to stay at Pittodrie, but say the midfielder has "decided his future lies elsewhere".

Read more here.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland in Cologne

As the big build-up continues in Munich, the 50,000 capacity Köln Stadion is a relative oasis of calm.

They’re doing some technical checks here; the booming sound system as clear and loud as I’ve heard anywhere.

Hungary and Switzerland have their pre-match media conferences here this evening before squaring up tomorrow afternoon in a game you can hear live on BBC Radio Scotland. Presentation position looks good, eh?