Home SPORTS Euro 2024: Scotland arrange Gibraltar and Finland warm-up friendlies ahead of finals

Euro 2024: Scotland arrange Gibraltar and Finland warm-up friendlies ahead of finals

Steven Fletcher scored two hat-tricks in Scotland’s previous meetings with Gibraltar

Scotland will complete their preparations for the Euro 2024 finals with friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland and have confirmed Garmisch-Partenkirchen as their tournament base.

Steve Clarke’s side will face Gibraltar at Estadio Algarve, Faro, Portugal, on 3 June before the Finns visit Hampden Park four days later.

They will then head to the Bavarian resort, which lies at the foot of Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze, to prepare for their opener against hosts Germany in Munich.

Clarke told the Scottish FA website: “I am particularly pleased that our final match before the tournament will be at Hampden and I am looking forward to experiencing what I am sure will be a raucous atmosphere in front of a full house of Scotland supporters that evening.”

Finland, who are ranked 59 in the world, 23 places below Scotland, will know by then whether they will be joining Clarke’s side in Germany.

Markku Kanerva’s team finished third in their qualifying group behind Denmark and Slovenia and face a play-off semi-final against Wales in March, with the winner taking on Poland or Estonia.

Finland have faced Scotland on eight occasions, losing six times and drawing twice, the last ending 1-1 at Tynecastle Park in 1998 as warm-up to the 1998 World Cup finals.

Gibraltar are 201st in the world and finished bottom of the their qualifying group without a point and having conceded 41 goals without scoring.

Scotland have won both games against them, scoring six goals in each victory during Euro 2016 qualifying.

The Estadio Algarve was also the venue for Scotland’s Euro 2020 warm-up match against the Netherlands in June 2021, a game that ended 2-2.

Clark last week visited Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where he and his squad will stay at Obermuhle, a 120-room luxury resort, a short walk from the team training ground.

“Garmisch-Partenkirchen will make for a comfortable base for our players and backroom staff for the duration of our stay at the tournament and the warm welcome we have received from the local community so far bodes well for when we are in camp there this summer,” he added.

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