New Delhi: When Georgia and Czech Republic meet in Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (Saturday, June 22), for their UEFA Euro 2024 Group F clash, both will look to secure their opening points in the competition. Losing their opening game means neither team can lose another game.
Georgia’s debut in the European championship didn’t start well, as it lost 3-1 to Turkey. However, Georgia did give Turkey a serious challenge throughout the game. After Turkey’s first goal, Georges Mikautadze scored Georgia’s first goal in a major tournament. However, Turkey’s two goals in the second half ensured the debutants were still searching for their first points.
Georgia, for its part, made some tactical mistakes. Despite having 14 shots at the goal, which is a feat, they were caught out twice. The final goal happened when goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardahvili moved into the upfield to score an equaliser. Since the group was introduced, only twice a team has progressed to the knockouts after losing their first match at the Euros. For Georgia to become the third team, they must utilise their resources to the maximum against Czech before their final draw against one of the tournament favourites, Portugal.
One area Georgia needs to be alert to is its defences. Turkey’s incisive moves to the Georgian half have caused their defenders some troubles, and they will need to be on point against the Czech Republic and Portugal.
Czech will come to the competition after suffering a 2-1 loss against Portugal, in a game they were initially ahead. Though the Czech defence was impressive, they made some cardinal mistakes towards the end of the game, ultimately costing them points. Czech also made fewer passes than any team in the first round and managed only eight touches in the Portuguese box.
A draw will keep Czech in the competition for a place in the final 16. However, if they are beaten in this game and Turkey don’t lose against Portugal, they will be out of this edition of the European Championship. The 1996 runners-up will play against Georgia with a more positive mindset, having arrived in the competition without being beaten in seven games, five of which were consecutive wins.
Team News
Willy Sagnol will most likely appear in the competition with an unchanged side that was quite impressive against Turkey. This means Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has the most goals in the squad (15), will join Mikautadze up front, with Giorgi Kochorashvili mostly likely to continue in midfield.
Sagnoi can choose Luka Locghoshvili in the defence area or Zuriko Davitashvili, who is a more defensive option.
In the Czech camp, Patrik Schick, with his 19 goals is the top scorer in the squad and will hope to build on his five-goal haul at Euro 2020 after a forgettable outing against Portugal. Ivan Hasek will expect West Ham United pair Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal will perform well in the central midfield and at the right wing-back respectively. Jindrich Stanek made seven saves against Portugal in their opening game and will complete Czech’s final line of defence
Head to Head
This will be the first time the two teams meet across all competitions. Though both teams are looking for their opening points in the competition, the Czech will have the upper hand, having previously been runner’s up in the 1996 edition of the European Championship. However, Georgia will try to make their debut participation in the Euros memorable.
Predicted lineup
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Dvali, Kashia, Kverkvelia; Kakabadze, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili, Chakvetadze, Tsitaishvili; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze
Czech: Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Soucek, Coufal, Barak, Provod, Doudera; Chytil, Schick
When, where and how to watch the Georgia vs Czech Republic match in India?
The Georgia vs Czech Republic UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 6:30 pm IST tonight.
Georgia and Czech are both looking for their opening points. Georgia are debuting this year and Czech will try to ensure they don’t cause an upset. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
