The final places in the Euro 2024 knockout stage will be settled on Wednesday, in Group E, all four teams are in three points and it’s a free for all, in Group F Portugal have secured qualification, with the remaining three teams all in contention. Our panelists offer their predictions for the end of the Group Stage.
Slovakia vs Romania (Wednesday in Frankfurt)
Steen Kirby: After the stunning victory against Belgium, Slovakia were brought back down to earth when Ukraine bounced back to defeat them in the second match of the group. To Slovakia’s credit they have scored twice in two games, but maintaining a high level and keeping up a high octane attack has been a problem for a team that starts a lineup where the average age is 31. Romania dominated that Ukraine team to secure their 3 points, but then fell to Belgium. This is a Romania side that has impressed their critics, and really anything is possible from this match, with 4 points helpful to both teams, a draw looks sensible. Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Ben Gray: Ahead of the final matchday in Group E, all four teams have three points, meaning it is perfectly poised ahead of a nervy Wednesday evening. Slovakia began this campaign by pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Euros history, defeating Belgium 1-0, Ivan Schranz the match-winner, before the Falcons were seemingly set to enjoy some déjà vu on Friday, 1-0 up against Ukraine, with Schranz once again the early scorer. However, this time, Francesco Calzona’s team could not hold on for victory, ultimately beaten 2-1 in Düsseldorf, the winner coming ten minutes from time.
This is Slovakia’s fourth appearance at a major tournament as an independent nation, winning exactly once at each of the previous three, so can they surpass that in Frankfurt, thereby reaching the round of 16 for the first time since 2016?
As for Romania, they too won their opener at this competition, smashing Ukraine 3-0 in Munich, thanks to long-range screamers from Nicolae Stanciu and then Răzvan Marin, before Denis Drăguș clinched the victory soon after.
However, Edward Iordănescu’s side then came crashing back down to earth on Saturday night, defeated 2-0 by Belgium at RheinEnergieStadion, paying the price for missed chances as they were defeated in a generally even encounter in Köln. The Tricolours’ three-goal haul in their opener means they kick off top, but are far from in a commanding position, albeit a draw would secure a top two finish, while victory would see Romania claim first place, unless Belgium are victorious simultaneously.
Slovakia have only ever won one of 11 meetings with Romania, losing five, albeit none of these have come in the last 11 years, most-recently playing out a 1-1 friendly draw at Arena Națională in 2013. Few expected either of these two teams to reach the knockout stages, so can either seize the opportunity at Waldstadion? Prediction: Romania 2 Slovakia 1
Ukraine vs Belgium (Wednesday in Stuttgart)
Steen: Ukraine are expected to finish last in this group? The reason is that they play group favorites Belgium for their final match, and Belgium bounced back well, finding a smoother time attacking in their second game, with Kevin De Bruyne guiding them to victory. Belgium are not at Europe’s top “elite” level, but you would still expect Romelo Lukaku and company to beat a lower ranked side like Ukraine to move to 6 points, and potentially top the group despite the shocker that was the loss to Slovakia. Everything is on the line here, and I expect Belgium to respond, look for Jeremy Doku to continue to be a difference maker. To their credit, an aging and shaky Belgian backline have been great at not conceding goals. Prediction: Belgium 2 Ukraine 0
Ben: Most expected these two teams to easily advance through Group E but that’s not how things have transpired, with all four nations kicking off on three points, so fans of permutations have an exciting Wednesday evening ahead of them.
Before a ball was kicked, Belgium were overwhelming favourites to top this section, but were immediately in danger of suffering an ignominious early exit, beaten 1-0 by rank-outsiders Slovakia in their tournament opener at Waldstadion.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils got back on track on Saturday night, beating Romania 2-0 at RheinEnergieStadion, with Youri Tielemans firing home an opener after less than 80 seconds, before Kevin De Bruyne poked home a clincher towards the end.
That second goals means Domenico Tedesco’s team start the night second in the standings, with Belgium therefore needing just a draw to book their place in the round of 16, while a win in Stuttgart will rubber stamp first place, unless Slovakia prevail concurrently.
As for Ukraine, despite the fact the group’s quartet are all level on points, their -2 goal difference leaves them bottom and in the most perilous position, considering the difficulty of this final fixture. Serhiy Rebrov’s side were smashed 3-0 by Romania on matchday one, before the Blue and Yellows were then on the brink of elimination last Friday, 1-0 down against Slovakia by half time at Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Nevertheless, Mykola Shaparenko stroked home an equaliser soon after the interval, before Roman Yaremchuk’s stunning, impudent goal with ten minutes to go snatched a pivotal three points in Düsseldorf. As a result, a victory here would send them through to the round of 16, while a draw will only be enough if the other fixture is not also a draw.
Since their first in April 1992, Ukraine have played 312 internationals against 71 different opponents, but have never come up against Belgium, with this set to be the maiden encounter between the pair. We’re forecasting that Belgium’s individual talent will see them win an entertaining affair at Neckarstadion. Prediction: Belgium 2 Ukraine 1
Czechia vs Turkiye (Wednesday in Hamburg)
Steen: Czechia and Georgia played out a draw and both sit on 1 point in this group, Turkiye were exposed against a great Portugal team but they did defeat Georgia and with loud and visible home support, this Turkiye team has their sights set on the knockouts. A draw would be enough for Turkiye to advance to the knockouts so they don’t need to play with reckless abandon. Czechia must win, and I don’t think they are good enough to get the job done. Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Ben: Both of these two nations require a result at Volksparkstadion to be sure of a spot in the last 16, so be prepared for a high-stakes encounter.
Of the two, Türkiye very much kick off occupying the catbird seat, having beaten Georgia 3-1 in their opener, thanks to screamers from both Mert Müldür and then Arda Güler, before Kerem Aktürkoğlu secured victory with the last kick of the afternoon.
Then, on Saturday, the Crescent-Star supporters in attendance at Westfalenstadion didn’t enjoy what they saw nearly as much, with their team smashed 3-0 by Portugal, as Samet Akaydin and Altay Bayındır contrived to produce a comedy own goal that doubled the Portuguese advantage.
Despite their humbling hammering, Vincenzo Montella’s team remain second in Group F, requiring only a point to reach the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time since 2008. Czechia meantime simply have to win, requiring three points that would see them leapfrog their opponents, potentially dumping the Turks out in doing so. Ivan Hašek’s side were beaten 2-1 by Portugal in Leipzig, despite taking the lead through Lukáš Provod’s beautiful strike, before only mustering a 1-1 draw with Georgia at the weekend.
Patrik Schick equalised inadvertently via his face on the hour mark, with Czech Republic mustering 27 shots, 12 on target, to Georgia’s five shots, one on target, but they were unable to find that all-important winner.
Since gaining independence, Czechia have qualified for all eight Euros, alternating between getting out of their group and not, so following a run to the quarter-finals three summers ago, they need a victory to break that streak. However, Türkiye have won each of their last three head-to-head encounters, including beating the Czechs 2-0 in Lens during Euro 2016, before a 2-1 friendly victory in Gaziantep two years ago. Based on what both have produced in Germany, we’re expecting this sequence to continue in Hamburg. Prediction: Turkiye 2 Czechia 0
Georgia vs Portugal (Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen)
Steen: Portugal will make some changes in this match similar to what we saw from their Iberian neighbors Spain. On 6 points and already qualified top of the group, Portugal should rest the legendary veterans Ronaldo and Pepe, and Rafael Leao is suspended. Barcelona’s Joao Felix and PSG’s Goncalo Ramos look set to come in. Portugal’s “b team” is far, far more, accomplished than Georgia’s best side. Georgia did get a point from this group, but realistically a win, or even a draw, against Portugal in the Euros would be a dream. Georgia would advance if they secured 3 points, but that looks very distant, even if Portugal aren’t fully pressing their luck. Prediction: Portugal 2 Georgia 0
Ben: Portugal have nothing to play for, but this could be the biggest game in Georgia’s history, so can the debutants claim an historic victory in Gelsenkirchen?
This competition could hardly have gone any better for Portugal so far, first coming from behind to beat Czechia 2-1 at Red Bull Arena, with Francisco Conceição firing home a 92nd minute winner in Leipzig. Then, on Saturday, the Euro 2016 winners swatted Türkiye 3-0, with Bernardo Silva breaking the deadlock at Westfalenstadion, a comedy own goal doubling their advantage before, later on, Cristiano Ronaldo squared for Bruno Fernandes to secure victory. So, with a game to spare, Roberto Martínez’s team have wrapped up first place in Group F, looking forward to a round of 16 tie against a third-place finisher in Frankfurt on Monday night. Thus, Martínez can make wholesale changes but, even if he does, his squad depth means his team will be favourites to pick up all three points.
As for Georgia, they’re making their maiden major tournament appearance and, while they have been fun, the Crusaders must now claim victory here to stand any chance of reaching the last 16.
First up, Willy Sagnol’s side were beaten 3-1 by Türkiye, Giorgi Mikautadze’s equaliser his country’s historic moment, the clincher only coming after goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had galavanted forward for a corner, leaving his goal unguarded. Then, on Saturday, Georgia took the lead against Czechia, Mikautadze converting a spot-kick in first half injury time, only for the Czechs to equalise on the hour mark.
In the end, Czechia had 27 shots in Hamburg, 12 on target, to Georgia’s five shots, one on target, but the underdogs could’ve won it with the last kick of the afternoon, breaking forward before Saba Lobzhanidze skied his attempt high over the bar. Thus, with only a solitary point to their name, the Crusaders simply must win, or their maiden Euros adventure will conclude here.
These two nations have only ever met once before, Portugal winning a friendly 2-0 in Viseu in 2008, with a similar outcome likely at Arena AufSchalke, even if the Portuguese make wholesale line-up changes. Prediction: Portugal 2 Georgia 1
Main Photo Credit: Imago Copyright: xMarcoxCanonierox
