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Joe Donnohue

Leeds United duo given dream EURO 2020 news as fringe pairing set date for Wembley bow

UEFA EURO 2020 is just around the corner, with squads for the 24 participating nations being released each day now.

Pascal Struijk was not named in either of Belgium or Netherlands' EURO 2020 squads, despite being eligible for both countries, however his centre-back partners have received good news ahead of the tournament which kicks off in less than a month.

Liam Cooper and Robin Koch have been named in Scotland's and Germany's squads respectively.

Cooper will take part in an historic Scotland camp, which secured passage to the Euros following a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Serbia in Belgrade last November.

Germany's qualification was a great deal more straightforward, but this will be Robin Koch's first appearance at a major tournament, much like Cooper.

By contrast, Koch's national team coach Joachim Low will be departing his post as Germany boss at the end of the competition after 15 years in the job.

Cooper played a bit-part role in Scotland's qualification campaign, despite captaining Leeds United to a top half finish in the Premier League this season.

His ability to play in a back three is likely to stand in his favour however, with manager Steve Clarke preferring a three-man defence in Scotland's final qualification matches.

Koch has featured at centre-back and in defensive midfield for Germany - a position he has taken up recently in the Leeds United side, amid Kalvin Phillips' absence.

Germany's three group games against France, Portugal and Hungary are scheduled to take place at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

Meanwhile, Liam Cooper may well take to the field at Wembley this summer, with Scotland scheduled to play England at the 90,000-seater stadium on June 18th.

Scotland's two other matches versus Croatia and Czech Republic will take place on home soil at Hampden Park, in front of what will no doubt be an eager home following.

It will be Scotland's first appearance at a major international tournament since the 1998 FIFA World Cup, when Cooper was just six years old.

The tournament's final will also be held at Wembley Stadium.

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