Euro 2020: France favourites, Scotland darlings as re-organised football championships begin

Football's European championships finally get underway on Saturday, after a 12-month COVID-enforced delay. 

World Cup winners France are tournament favourites, but face a tough group featuring titleholders Portugal and three-time champions Germany. 

Meanwhile, Group D will see football's oldest rivalry renewed between England and Scotland, making their first major tournament appearance in 23 years. 

Scottish football fans had had a long wait, but their team are back on the big stage and they have high hopes.

"We're looking to get out of the group," striker Kevin Nesbit says. "I think we've got a great team. 

"We've got some top players that have played at the highest level."

With stars like Liverpool fullback Andy Robertson and Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, many believe the Scots can go better than their last Euro appearance in 1996, when England dashed their hopes, thanks to a bit of Paul Gascoigne brilliance.

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden hopes to bring a bit of Gazza back, donning a new hairstyle as a salute to the Euro '96 star.

"It wouldn't be too bad, if I try to bring a bit of Gazza on the pitch," Foden says.

Portugal hope Christiano Ronaldo does just that too. 

The defending champions find themselves in the 'group of death', but the biggest unknown right now is managing fans from 24 nations converging on 11 European countries during a pandemic.