TWO National columnists are set to go head to head in The National’s Euro 2024 sweepstake as the group stage action continues.
THE group stages of the Euro 2024 tournament have entered their final stage and Scotland fans up and down the country will barely be able to keep their eyes off the TV this Sunday.
Mark Nelson’s Germany have already qualified from the group stage, but their game against Alan Cumming’s Switzerland is hardly a dead rubber.
The Swiss could leapfrog into first place if they win but Scotland fans will be hoping they face a similar drubbing by the Germans to help improve their chances of qualification.
The tournament hosts have been in fine form thumping Scotland 5-1 and then sweeping Hungary side easily 2-0.
Nelson will be hoping they can continue their momentum deep into the knockout stages of the tournament.
On the other hand, Cummings will be hoping the Swiss can produce an upset against one of the tournament favourites and secure that top spot for themselves – which would come with a more favourable match-up in the next round.
Nelson has chosen Marie Curie Cancer as his charity and Cumming is playing for Scottish Trans.
Perhaps it is wasted optimism, but Lesley Riddoch’s (below) Scotland still have a chance of qualifying, but they will have to beat Angus MacNeil’s Hungary.
The Hungarians have had a hard time of it in this year's Euros as they have lost both their matches against Germany and Switzerland.
Following those losses, they are unlikely to qualify for the next round, but there is a matter of pride still to play for.
Scotland will be without one of their star players Kieran Tierney who has pulled out of the squad after suffering an injury against Switzerland on Wednesday night.
The Scots will be hoping to carry the momentum they gathered against the Swiss into their final match where they need nothing short of a win.
Riddoch is playing for Front Lounge Dundee and MacNeil has Bethesda Hospice Stornoway as his charity.
It’s all to play for and time will tell as Group A is sure to deliver a nail-biting finish.
