Five finer points about Euro 2024

Euro 2024, the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship, kicks off Friday with host Germany hosting Scotland in the opener. Here are five tidbits to digest as we get closer to kickoff. 

Georgia will be making its debut

A dream more than 30 years in the making, Georgia will debut at the Euro stage. Since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia's national team failed to qualify for nine consecutive Euros. 

The 10th time was the charm, but it nearly wasn't. Georgia won just two games in its Group A qualifier games but sneaked into the playoffs via the Nations League. It beat Luxembourg and Greece to punch its ticket. 

Georgia will be in Group F alongside Portugal, Czechia and Turkey.

Going from Pinocchio to Albart the teddy bear 

Pinocchio was unveiled as the first Euro mascot in 1980, followed by other cool mascots such as Bernie the Rabbit in 1988 and Goliath in 1996. 

This year, we're getting Albart the teddy bear. In recent years, the mascots have regressed in coolness, going from iconic characters to generic ones. But, they're intended to spread joy to the kids, which they do. 

In the lead-up to Friday's kickoff, the mascot has been visiting primary schools across Europe to encourage children to play the sport. 

England favored to finally break through 

The 52-year wait nearly ended at Euro 2020 if not for three consecutive penalty misses from Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka. 

The excruciating turn of events meant England lost to Italy 3-2 in the penalty shootout, probably giving coach Gareth Southgate many sleepless nights. 

The good thing for The Three Lions is they're back at the Euro stage with a chance at redemption. The oddsmakers have tipped them to win their first Euro title three years after the Wembley heartbreak. 

England, grouped with Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia, likely has the easiest path to the knockout stages among other top contenders such as France, Germany and Spain.

A landmark moment for Germany 

Euro 2024 will mark the first time Germany has hosted the European Championship since reunification. As such, it will be an emotional time for the people of the country, especially fans who had to root against each other during the 41 years of West vs. East Germany. 

Granted Germany hosted a FIFA World Cup in 2006, but the Euro evokes a different spirit among Germans and all of Europa. 

In 1988, West Germany hosted an eight-team Euro final. In 2024, united Germany will host 23 other countries. A lot has changed in 36 years. 

Huge boost for post-pandemic Europe

The sight of half-filled and several quarter-filled stadiums and an opening ceremony with socially-distanced fans in Rome ruined the aesthetics of Euro 2020. 

The colorful fans at Euro events are way too integral to the event's spirit and their return to full force is a huge boost for everyone involved.     

Furthermore, fans traveling from over 100 countries will descend upon the historic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin where the organizers have created the largest "fan zone" in the world. The spot will host parties and events throughout the whole month of Euro 2024 (June 14 to July 14).