Day 13 of UEFA Euro 2024 wraps up the final group stage action with Czechia taking on Türkiye is a must-win game for them, while the Turks only need to avoid defeat to go through.
In our second game, we have group winners Portugal taking on newcomers Georgia, who are looking to cause one of the upsets of the tournament in a bid to secure a Round of 16 berth.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what Day 13 has in store for us.
As the final match in Group F, this meeting will be vital in deciding who qualifies alongside Portugal for the knockout stages. Türkiye are currently second with three points from two games after beating Georgia 3-1 in their opening fixture before getting thrashed 3-0 by Portugal in the second round.
Czechia, on the other hand, are still stuck on one point following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Portugal before barely managing a 1-1 draw against Georgia, who missed a late chance to win the game after riding out intense Czech pressure.
As things stand, only a win will guarantee a spot in the last 16 for the Czechs after Georgia held them to a 1-1 draw last time out. All Türkiye need to do is not lose to Czechia and they’ll finish second behind Portugal. However, another defeat in Hamburg would likely see them miss out on one of the four third-placed spots in the next round.
That said, in recent years, the Turks have had a good record against Czechia, so a fascinating finish to this group awaits for us. Türkiye have won their last three meetings with the Czechs, most recently in a November 2022 friendly.
Patrick Schick saved Czechia’s blushes against Georgia last week, but the Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker is a major doubt for Wednesday’s big game. If required, Mojmír Chytil or Adam Hložek will most likely fill in, perhaps even being paired as the front two with the Czechs looking to take the initiative in a must-win match.
Meanwhile, Georgia will hope to have first-choice goalkeeper Mert Günok back in the fold; having missed the game against Portugal with a knee problem. Irfan Kahveci also took part in full training and should be available for selection, while Real Madrid CF wonderkid Arda Güler could be ready to start after a minor groin injury forced him to come off from the bench against Portugal.
Having been booked for the second time in two games, Abdülkerim Bardakci must now serve a suspension, so Merih Demiral is set to step into Türkiye’s back four.
Czechia
Form (all competitions, most recent first): D-L-W-W-W
Most recent result: Georgia 1-1 Czechia, Euro 2024 Group F
European Qualifying: Finished 2nd in Group E with 15 points
Türkiye
Form (all competitions, most recent first): L-W-L-D-L
Most recent result: Türkiye 0-3 Portugal, Euro 2024 Group F
European Qualifying: Finished 1st in Group D with 17 points
Both sides have looked shaky for much of this tournament which makes it very difficult to predict, with so much on the line. Going with recent history, Türkiye have had the upper hand, however, come Wednesday, they’d be happy to concede even two-thirds possession just to get a favourable outcome. It is more likely that this game ends up being a dramatic affair with both teams sharing the spoils.
Czechia 1-1 Türkiye
Goalkeeper: Mert Günok
Defenders: Mert Müldür, Ferdi Kadioglu, Vladimír Coufal
Midfielders: Hakan Çalhanoglu, Arda Güler, Kenan Yildiz, Tomáš Soucek, Lukáš Provod
Forwards: Adam Hložek, Kerem Aktürkoglu
Captain: Tomáš Soucek
Vice-captain: Kerem Aktürkoglu
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Following a last-gasp 2-1 win over the Czechia during their opening game of this summer’s European Championships, Portugal joined Germany and Spain as the only three nations to win their opening two matches after dispatching a leaky Türkiye side in Dortmund.
Having pushed Türkiye all the way during their Group F opener but ultimately falling short on the day, Georgia recorded their first-ever point at a major tournament in their second match, nearly snatching a win from Czechia to share the spoils at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.
Heading into a crunch clash on Wednesday night, Georgia face an uphill task in making it out of their group at the first time of asking, with Willy Sagnol’s side realistically requiring three points in order to at least finish as one of the best third-placed teams.
After picking up two yellow cards in the opening two matches of the competition, Rafael Leão will be unable to feature for Portugal on Wednesday night in Gelsenkirchen. As a result, Roberto Martínez will need to come up with solutions on the left side of his attack, where Wolves talisman Pedro Neto could be in line for a start.
Following a respectable point against Czechia last time out, Georgia are expected to name an unchanged XI for their final Group F match.
Georgia
Form (all competitions, most recent first): D-L-W-W-W
Most recent result: Georgia 1-1 Czechia, Euro 2024 Group F
European Qualifying: Through the Euro 2024 qualifying play-off
Portugal
Form (all competitions, most recent first): W-W-W-L-W
Most recent result: Türkiye 0-3 Portugal, Euro 2024 Group F
European Qualifying: Finished 1st in Group J with 30 points
Although their matches have been exciting to watch for neutrals so far, Georgia have been vulnerable in defence and any such frailties will be exposed by Portugal in this one.
On occasion where Georgia will try to push forward, it’ll leave gaps for Portugal to exploit, likely leading to a comfortable win for Martínez’s men.
Georgia 1-3 Portugal
Goalkeeper: Georgi Mamardashvili
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Gonçalo Inácio, Antônio Silva
Midfielders: Anzor Mekvabishvili, Giorgi Kochorashvili, João Neves, Giorgi Chakvetadze
Forwards: Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Diogo Jota
Captain: Diogo Jota
Vice-captain: João Félix
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