With the Euro 2024 group stage done, we’ve heard all 24 national team anthems three times. It is time to say goodbye to some.
Sadly, the strengths of the 16 teams in the knockout stages do not necessarily translate to the quality of their standards. The Athletic has gone through all of them to provide our not-so-serious thoughts…
Record-scratch. Here we go.
The German anthem was written by Joseph Haydn — an Austrian — but is otherwise exactly what you would expect from the tournament hosts. Just enough melody without falling into frivolity, a chance to open the pipes up in the final lines.
A good, sensible anthem, but without the ragged edges that can create a classic.
Rating: 7/10
Scotland
There are two types of great anthems (against who?!). There are those with a joie de vivre, like Italy’s or France’s, and those with an essential melancholy (against who?!). Flower of Scotland embodies the latter.
The highlight? ‘Those days are past now | And in the past they must remain.’ My petition to make existential dread a part of every anthem has already reached 17 signatures (against who?!).
@optussport Scotland turned Cologne into a home game at the EUROs 🏴 Flower of Scotland is IMMENSE. #EURO2024 ♬ original sound – Optus Sport
Seconds later, you’re pulled from despair by the gut punch of ‘But we can still rise now!’. Glorious. (against who?!)
Listening to this against Switzerland in Cologne was a joy. Points are only being knocked off because, outside Scotland, we don’t get the a cappella verse.
Rating: 9/10
Speaking of a cappella, it is now tradition for Hungary’s squad to walk over to their fans at full time and sing their anthem, fists on hearts. It’s a nice idea, even if the subtext for Viktor Orban’s ultra-nationalistic government is unpleasant.
Musically, it is a little bit of a dirge — one for the gravelly side of vocal ranges. One massive cymbal halfway through is a surprise, before it bashfully retreats, scared by its own frivolity.
Rating: 4/10
Switzerland
The opening lines sound a little bit like Happy Birthday. A bold, stylistic decision, but at least everyone knows the tune.
Also does the trick of slowing down its rhythm in the final words, like a Celine Dion live set. They’re really giving you a good chance to give it a good go.
Rating: 6/10
Italy
I won’t bore you. It’s Italy, it’s salty sun-kissed skin, it’s sun-dried tomatoes, it’s a white wine on the terrace, it’s a classic. One quibble.
Are these Italian boys a little too ready to die?
‘Let us join in a cohort | We are ready for death | We are ready for death | Italy has called | Yes!’
Luciano Spalletti has only called them up for a minimum of 270 minutes of association football. It’s no wonder their players are often in tears. This could be the last time they see their parents, their wives, their cane corsos.
Rating: 9/10
Croatia
This feels like the soundtrack to a historical epic. A family of 14th-century royals are enjoying a lavish banquet. Pig heads are brought out on platters, there is a close-up of a dagger stabbing an apple.
As it reaches its musical apex, a realisation that the wine is poisoned. The chalice drops from the king’s stiffened fingers as the final chord dies away.
@optussport Croatia’s national anthem at the Olympiastadion in Berlin is a must watch 🇭🇷 A reported 50,000 Vatreni fans have packed into the 74,475 capacity stadium. You sure can hear them. #EURO2024 #OptusSport ♬ original sound – Optus Sport
Rating: 6/10
Spain
Spain’s anthem is one of only four anthems in the world to not have lyrics. It feels like this should be suitable for the style of their football team — their attack is freeform, interchangeable, acid jazz.
In the event, it is a little too imperial to sustain that fantasy. The lack of words for the squad to sing also leaves them standing a little awkwardly, like I do in the corner of a house party when that friend starts playing Bob Dylan B-sides.
Rating: 5/10
Albania
Himni i Flamurit (Hymn to the Flag) was written by Aleksander Stavre Drenova, better known as simply Asdreni, a little like Adele. There are parts of his composition I really like — Italianesque musical garnishes on the ends of phrases.
Unfortunately, from the evidence so far, Albania’s squad must be the worst bunch of singers in the tournament. A couple of them absolutely butchered it, but this publication does not take off marks for trying.
Rating: 7/10
Netherlands
Some rock stars are arena-fillers, others are better during an acoustic set, and that’s fine.
Wilhelmus is the oldest anthem in the world, but after 450 years it’s lost its edge. There are subtleties to it, but those harmonies are drowned by 30,000 cacophonous renditions.
Given the vociferousness of their fans, I just think they can find one a little more suited to mass participation. Think We Will Rock You with a patriotic edge.
Rating: 5/10
France
See, this is what we’re talking about. Bon vivant, a song made for gestures and 80,000 screaming France fans. It’s the standard of standards.
It is difficult to ever imagine it being played at sombre occasions — but who cares! We all need a little more light in the darkness.
Rating: 9/10
Poland
I cannot stress this enough. There should be sufficient care put into a national anthem so that ‘Dabrowski’ isn’t forced to rhyme with ‘Dabrowski’. Otherwise, a pleasant regency-style ditty.
Rating: 7/10
Austria
You will have learned earlier that the German anthem was written by an Austrian — and that now doesn’t surprise me. The pair are extremely similar.
Debate rages over whether Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote the melody or not. If so… it’s not his best work, save for one wonderful trumpet flourish in the middle. Ends on the same chord as God Save the King, which knocks it down in my book.
Rating: 5/10
England
Speak of the devil. You know the cliche of English food? Stodgy, bland, doughy? That’s not actually true. Wonderful food scene developing.
But the cliche of English food is true when it comes to God Save The King. It’s dire. At least food fills you up. God Saves The King leaves you empty.
Rating: 3/10
Denmark
A wonderful opening to this one — think production like Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound if he had been born as a 19th-century Danish pianist. I’m there — the open North Sea beaches, the acres of farmland, the sunset in still dockland waters.
Deductions? The title translates as ‘There is a Lovely Land’, which is a little twee. Also, it’s technically one of two national anthems Denmark has, which seems a little greedy.
Rating: 8/10
Slovenia
Basically, this is a choral Balkan version of John Lennon’s Imagine.
‘Long live all the nations | Who long to see the day | When where the sun travels | Strife shall be banished from the world.’
In such uncertain times, be the bigger person. Be like Slovenia.
Rating: 8/10
Serbia
Tell you what, the Serbian boys have a set of lungs on them. This one is belted out. Expect to see Aleksandr Mitrovic miss a game one day with a perforated lung. Can barely hear the melody over hoarse voices.
The Serbian national anthem for the first time as an independent nation at the European Championships 🇷🇸
Watch 📲 https://t.co/zklqozJLdE#EURO2024 #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/rHVmaxYG1Z
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 16, 2024
Rating: 6/10
Based on a drinking song, but the Belgium team all look pretty miserable. Get into the spirit.
Goes slightly too quickly, and easy to slur your words. Seems appropriate.
Rating: 5/10
Ukraine
Ukraine Is Not Yet Lost is pretty emotional given the country’s ongoing resistance against the Russian invasion. Especially since the Orange Revolution of 2004 and Euromaidan protests of 2013, it has become a symbol of Ukrainian independence.
@optussport A proud moment for the Ukraine players draped in their flag as the anthem plays 🇺🇦 #EURO2024 #OptusSport ♬ original sound – Optus Sport
I listened to this live in Dusseldorf — but do yourself a favour and check out a choral version. Those boys and girls really know how to harmonise.
Rating: 8/10
Romania
You don’t sing the Romanian national anthem, “Deșteapta-te, romane!” sings you.
The only national anthem on this list with an exclamation mark in the title, it rattles along like a runaway cart. Imagine a techno night in a soaring gothic cathedral and you’ll have the vibe. On a comedown after finishing it.
Rating: 7/10
Slovakia
Everyone knows a teenager given their first drum kit. Oh boy, do they love whacking the cymbal. Slovakia, I’m afraid that applies to you as well.
Lightning over the Tatras does sound pretty metal, to be fair.
Rating: 5/10
Ninety per cent of A Portuguesa sounds like an anthem stuck in an identity crisis — is it a military march or smooth late-night jazz? In a way, that brings together the defensive grit offered by Pepe and the attacking flair of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes.
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo sings Portuguese anthem at EURO 2016 final 💪
Passion level here = _____ / 💯@selecaoportugal | @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/iBZ3vqY1XH
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) May 18, 2021
Silva is surely the footballer you can most imagine running a spoken word evening in a city’s hippest quarter.
Rating: 7/10
Czech Republic
Can water roar across the meadows? Surely it flows or babbles. This sounds like the celebration of a flood. Slightly unmemorable, a European anthem as if written by AI.
Rating: 5/10
Once you’ve heard Dortmund’s Yellow Wall filled with Turkish fans, all signing Istiklal Marsi, there is only one thing heading your way. It starts with tin- and ends in -nitus.
There’s a reason Turkey have been dubbed Euro 2024’s second host nation. 🇹🇷
A deafening national anthem at the Westfalenstadion. 👏 pic.twitter.com/L9SbTdqNB4
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 22, 2024
It was lovely, if slightly ominous, but then again it heralded the last proper auditory experience I’ll have.
Rating: 6/10
Georgia
The newest national anthem on the list, adopted in 2004, but my goodness it was worth waiting for. Georgia’s public state broadcaster was so proud they even put out a music video to accompany it, although it possibly has a few too many tanks for my liking.
Aside from Wales’ Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers), these are the best harmonies I’ve heard at a live sporting event.
@optussport Georgia’s National Anthem plays for the first-ever time at a European Championship and just look what it means to the players and their fans 🇬🇪 #EURO2024 ♬ original sound – Optus Sport
No complaints at all if this is how angels sing me to my rest. Just goes a little too high at the end for the common-or-garden singer.
Rating: 9/10
The podium
There is a clear top four here — Scotland, France, Italy, and, coming up quickly on the outside, Georgia.
France takes the gold. I’m not going to be like the Oscars Committee that didn’t award Best Picture to Citizen Kane.
Next up? Scotland with silver — had their rendition included the a cappella middle eight, I’d have had a decision to make.
Italy is a classic… but to my editor’s dismay, who has championed Il Canto throughout this process, those Georgian harmonies are still in my head. Bronze to the Caucasian nation.
(Top photo: Getty Images; design by Eamonn Dalton)
