Group F is the only group to feature on Tuesday at Euro 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal takes on Czechia, while Turkey (Turkiye) takes on minnows Georgia, with the winner having the upper hand to advance to the knockout stages as the first round of group stage matches will complete in Germany. Our panelists offer predictions for both matches.
Turkey (Turkiye) vs Georgia (Tuesday in Dortmund)
Steen Kirby: As an independent nation, Georgia has been a minnow in world football, however they are experiencing a golden generation of players including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli that lead them to their first time qualifying for the Euros. This is a side that few believe in, so they will need a lot of self belief. Turkiye meanwhile is a side looking to banish the demons of recent tournaments, far removed from their best tournament results, and winless in five matches, this is a side completely devoid of confidence. 19 year old Arda Guler from Real Madrid represents the next generation of talent after the current generation has failed. Turkey, in front of many fans who reside in Germany, will have to prove that they are ready to turn the page on a decade of failure, a draw feels like the most likely outcome, but Georgia could snatch 3 points if they defend well. Prediction: 0-0 Draw
Ben Gray: Georgia will become the 41st team, under various guises, to feature at a European Championships and, in a wide-open Group F, will believe an historic victory is possible, so can they upset the odds in Dortmund?
The Crusaders qualified via the play-offs back in March, beating Luxembourg 2-0 and then Greece in a dramatic penalty shootout, sparking wild celebrations in Tbilisi, as they booked their place in a first-ever major tournament. Willy Sagnol’s side have lost just one of their last seven, although a 7-1 home hammering at the hands of Spain in September, their heaviest-ever defeat, is a bit of a reality check.
However, Türkiye’s form should offer the debutants some hope, considering Vincenzo Montella’s team are winless in five, losing three of four fixtures in 2024, smashed 6-1 by Austria and beaten 2-1 in Poland a week ago. The Crescent-Stars lost all three matches at Euro 2020, having also exited in the group phase in 2016, so it’s hard to know what to expect from this Turkish team. Those inside Westfalenstadion are unlikely to witness a classic, but we’re backing Türkiye to win a tight, low-scoring affair. Prediction: Turkey 1 Georgia 0
Portugal vs Czechia (Tuesday in Leipzig)
Steen: Portugal manager Roberto Martinez failed with Belgium to attain glory but this is a side that was without blemish in qualifying but has lost two friendlies this year. 41 year old defender Pepe and 39 year old attacker Cristiano Ronaldo are still two of the key players in this side, but Portugal are talented across generations, 24 year old Joao Felix from Barcelona, 22 year old Goncalo Ramos from PSG, and as a substitute, 19 year old wonderkid Joao Neves from Benfica are all in the side as well. Portugal may not be the most talented squad of Euro 2024 but they are near the top and if the right role for Ronaldo can be found, either leading the attack as a starter, or coming in as a super sub, they have a real shot to win the Euros once again. Czechia are 6-0-1 in recent matches, this is a steady if uninspiring side with a lot of players that feature on one of just 3 domestic club teams, Patrik Schick is the one expected to provide goals and he plays at the record setting Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. Portugal isn’t a perfect side, but I doubt they start with anything but 3 points. Prediction: Portugal 3 Czechia 0
Ben: Portugal are clear favourites to top Group F and, having qualified with a 100% record, it would surprise few if they continued that winning streak all the way through this group phase.
As alluded to, Roberto Martínez’s team won all ten qualifiers, scoring 36 goals and conceding just two, while A Seleção have never been eliminated in the group phase at the Euros in eight attempts, winning 13 of their last 22 group games, a record they’re likely to further improve.
Czechia meantime only qualified courtesy of a final matchday victory over Moldova, with manager Jaroslav Šilhavý resigning straight after, he’s since taken the Oman job, with Ivan Hašek back for a second stint in charge, which is far from ideal. The Czechs do come into this one following five successive victories, and reached the quarter-finals of the last Euros, so should not be underestimated, but are hardly a team full of stars.
Portugal have won each of their last four meetings with Czech Republic, prevailing 3-1 in Geneva at Euro 2008 and 1-0 in Warsaw at Euro 2012, as well as both home and away in the Nations League two years ago, 2-0 in Lisbon and 4-0 in Prague. It would be a massive shock if the 2016 European Champions did not prevail at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. Prediction: Portugal 3 Czechia 0
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