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Germany v Scotland in Euro 2024 opener, Italy drawn with Spain – ARN News Centre
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Hosts Germany will face Scotland in the opening match of Euro 2024 in Munich following the draw on Saturday and defending champions Italy will be in the same group as Spain.
The Germans, three-time winners, will kick off the one-month tournament in Munich on June 14, with the final on July 14 at Berlin’s Olympic stadium.
Germany will also play Hungary, who came through the qualifying campaign unbeaten, and Switzerland in Group A.
“It’s no group of death but a very strong group and we are looking forward to it,” Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said.
The hosts appointed Nagelsmann as manager in September after parting ways with Hansi Flick following a 4-1 home defeat by Japan, their fourth loss in five games.
They beat France under Rudi Voeller, but after Nagelsmann began with a win over the United States they lost against Turkey and Austria.
“I am optimistic that if we do some things in the coming few months then we will play a good Euro. The first game also has a special kind of pressure,” said Voeller, the national team director.
“We still have some problems but I am convinced that Julian Nagelsmann will do it,” Voeller added.
Italy face a tough task to defend their title, drawn in Group B along with Spain, Croatia and Albania.
Italy defeated Spain on penalties in the semi-finals on their way to winning Euro 2020 but lost 4-0 to the Spanish in the 2012 final. Croatia reached the semi-finals at the last World Cup.
“Yes, it could have been better,” Italy manager Luciano Spalletti said.
“Being in the fourth pot makes you realise that you have teams ahead of you but nothing should distract us from the fact we are Italy.
“A tough group, Albania showed that they know how to stay on the pitch. Croatia is strong and experienced. Spain? Anyone who loves this sport must play it, the taste of challenge and comparison.” Spalletti added.
SPAIN V CROATIA
Spain’s opening game is against Croatia before they take on Italy.
“If it’s not the toughest group, it’s one of the toughest,” Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said.
“Italy are European champions, Croatia always reach the later stages and although they are not at their best, they are two historic teams. And don’t forget Albania, top of their group.”
France and the Netherlands will meet again after coming through qualifying in the same group, drawn in Group D alongside Austria and the winners of playoff A.
France, who won both games against the Dutch on their way to topping the qualifying group, kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria in Duesseldorf.
“The Pot 3 team we’ll be facing are The Netherlands. We won both our games against them but it makes our group harder. We also faced Austria during the latest Nations League campaign and it was far from easy. It’s a dense and difficult group,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.
England, runners-up at Euro 2020, are in Group C alongside Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia. England, who needed extra time to see off Denmark in the 2020 semi-finals, start the tournament against Serbia.
“You look at Serbia with a centre forward like Aleksander Mitrovic and then you have to be careful not to assume anything when you see these draws, that’s for certain,” England manager Gareth Southgate said.
“You can look at it on paper but the games aren’t played on paper. There are some teams that you are glad to avoid in Pot 3 and Pot 4 but all of the teams that we play are more than capable.”
In Group E, Belgium face Romania, Slovakia and the winners of playoff B, Israel, Bosnia, Ukraine or Iceland.
Portugal are in Group F, alongside Turkey, Czech Republic and the playoff C winners, one of Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan or Luxembourg, who finished third in Portugal’s qualifying group.
The top two in each of the six Euro 2024 groups proceed to the round of 16 along with the four best third-placed finishers.
The draw was held at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, one of the 10 host cities of the tournament.
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Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.
The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.
The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.
Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.
Other ticket options
- Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
- Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
- Friday: Dh75
- Under 15s: Free
- People of Determination + carer: Dh375
Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.
Bigger family attractions
Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.
The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.
Six sports and top rugby action
Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.
Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.
The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.
The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.
Music all weekend
Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.
Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.
For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.
With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.
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