An estimated 200,000 Tartan Army supporters descended on Germany for Scotland’s first overseas major tournament since 1998 and left a positive impression on the locals in the process.
The Scottish faithful supporters followed the team around the host nation for Scotland’s three group games in Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart.
Despite the team’s poor performances and failure to get out of the group stage, again, it was off the park where the Scots did their country proud.
Scotland was voted as the country with the best fans at the tournament, winning with a landslide 52% of the vote in a poll conducted by German media outlet RTL.
The mayor of Cologne – where Scotland played out a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their second game – Henriette Reker, said: “Dear Scots, these have been a wonderful couple of days with you. I could not have been a happier mayor. You are always welcome back to Cologne!”
In fact, many locals and officials from the city located on the Rhine River hoped that Scotland would return to the city for the knockout stages and were actively cheering for Steve Clarke’s men in the final group game, which – brutally – ended in disappointment.
A local bartender said: “The Scottish like to drink so much, but they are so kind and so peaceful. They are very well behaved, and spread good vibes”
And the travelling Tartan Army have been impressed with the welcome they have received from their German hosts.
Stuart Turner, a travelling Scottish fan, said: “From the minute we landed, we have had a hero’s welcome. The locals did not need to give any consideration to us, but they have shown us great hospitality, exceeding our expectations. We have even had instances of locals approaching us to praise our behaviour and support for our country”
The Scots returned the favour too, a video of two fans assisting an older gentleman through the rain in Cologne by holding umbrellas over him went viral and has since been advertised on German public transport.
There has also been a petition launched by a German fan, requesting an annual friendly between the two countries following the Euros.
The petition currently has more than 25,000 signatures, and while there is clearly an appetite for a regular gathering between the two supports, the Tartan Army will hope the team on the pitch can match their own heroic effort off it by improving on the 5-1 defeat in the opening game.
Masters Student currently studying Sports Journalism at Edinburgh Napier University.
