Scotland have taken to Mount Wank in the German mountains to prepare for Euro 2024, where they will kick off the tournament’s proceedings in Friday’s curtain-raiser against the hosts, aiming to cause an upset against one of the favourites to win the entire competition.
Steve Clarke’s squad, spearheaded by Premier League stars such as Andrew Robertson, Scott McTominay and John McGinn, are based in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a 30,000-population resort town at the base of Mount Wank.
The Bavarian tourist spot, famed for its snow-laden mountains which boast incredible skiing and snowboarding slopes, will host Scotland in the Obermuhle Hotel, dating back to 1634 and costs a mouthwatering £211 (€250) a night.
They are situated just under an hour away from the scene of Scotland’s opener at the Allianz Arena and during the squad’s downtime can take in a private spa at their hotel, which also includes a 180-degree view of the mountain and penthouse suite that has its own private spa, sauna and stunning rooftop terrace.
It costs £24.50 (€29) to take the Wankbahn cable car up to the mountain, situated among the Ester Mountains and reaches 1700 metres above sea level. Once up and surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery Germany has to offer, the Wankstuberl restaurant can be found, serving local Bavarian cuisine.
And a boisterous local population of 30,000 will be cheering alongside the Tartan Army, which includes tennis star Andy Murray, every step of Scotland’s Euros journey, with a special public screening set up for the opening match of the tournament that hundreds are expected to attend.
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” captain Robertson said upon the team’s arrival on Sunday. “It has been a long day’s travelling and I think we are all ready for bed but the welcome has been amazing.
“I am sure the locals will be very friendly towards us when we are here and hopefully we can win football matches and keep us here as long as possible. We know the fans will come over in their numbers, they will enjoy themselves and they will be respectful and I hope they celebrate us winning games as well.”
Mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Elisabeth Koch, has no doubt that Scotland will enjoy their experience soaking in the Mount Wank views and atmosphere. “We are doing a lot for the players, fans and tourists,” she told The Sun. “We have two traditional bands who will play together for a very warm welcome.
“The best team should win, whether it’s Scotland or Germany. Two hearts are beating in my chest. But Steve Clarke told me he expected to win.
“Your team will be welcomed with a Bavarian-Scottish celebration at Mohrenplatz, in the town centre. In addition to trumpets, tubas and very long alphorns there will be an instrument that has not been heard here before – the bagpipes.”
