Group F panned out in a much more entertaining manner than what was assumed at first glance! A multitude of eventful fixtures saw Portugal and Turkey head through into the round of 16, with newcomers Georgia following them by qualifying as one of the best performing third placed sides.
Expect the unexpected with tournament football, and group F certainly reiterated that.
Portugal topped the group, expectedly, however had moments of struggle and a huge hiccup throughout their opening fixtures; their group lead was narrow, separated by goal difference, as they finished on 6 points, as did Turkey who followed in second. They sealed their spot in compelling fashion, with stoppage time drama wrapping up a fiery tie to see the Crescent Stars advance. Debutants Georgia qualify as one of the best third placed sides of the tournament, after they shocked with a exceptional performance against one of the tournament’s quality side which saw them finish on 4 points. A remarkable outcome for Jvarosnebi! Czechia fell bottom of the group, only managing to secure a single point over their frustrating campaign. Despite several positive individual performances, the Lions were unable to find their flow, failing to produce the moments of magic they needed.
Matchday 1
Turkey began their campaign with confidence as they flew 3-1 past Georgia on matchday 1. Having the edge throughout the game, Turkey did not hesitate before they took the lead, and in brilliant fashion as Muldur stunned with a ridiculous top-corner volley. Georgia, however, were willing to put up a fight, Mikautadze equalising seven minutes later. Lots of close opportunities for Georgia to get themselves back into the game, which became tightly contested, after Guler struck from outside the box on his debut, but Turkey ensured the win with the final kick of the game, Akturkoglu into an empty net.
Elsewhere in the group, Portugal scored a late winning goal to beat Czechia 2-1, after struggling with creativity throughout the early stages of the game despite being eminent with the ball. Initially ahead of the Portuguese, Czechia opened with a moment of magic in the 65th minute and spent the remainder of the fixture defending in their own half. They lost their lead from preventable defensive mistakes, switching off at the back. A scurry to clear Mendes’ header saw Hranac direct into his own net, then in stoppage time, where the Czech were desperately attempting to hold on for a point, Conceicao delivered the winning moment.
Matchday 2
Czechia were unable to pick up their form as they faced Georgia for Matchday 2, however they salvaged a point with a second-half equaliser and a little bit of luck, as Georgia missed what appeared to be the fairytale moment to close the game; 1-1 in the 94th minute, Georgia spilling into Czech’s defensive half, 3 vs 1 against defender Hranac. Georgia opened just before the half from a spot-kick, and were mostly able to contain Czechia, who dominated the fixture with 27 shots, 12 on target, all thanks to Mamardashvili. Czechia did find an opening however in the early second half, courtesy of Schick, however were unable to advance from there, frustration lingering for the side who were still yet to continually string things together.
Portugal were able to take the energy from their late winner against Czechia and channel it into their performance against Turkey, which was greatly improved from their unimaginative display. Despite Turkey beginning the fixture with intent to frustrate and antagonise, Portugal put a stop to their fun, in an organised, intelligent manner, turning their slack into confidence. It did not take long for them to hit the back of the net, a wonderfully worked ball made it easy for Silva to strike home. Miscommunication at the back for Turkey extended Portugal’s lead, helping them settle into the game further. Frustration revealed as the Crescent Stars began the second with some hostility, however this soon eased as Portugal sealed 3 points with a third goal; Bruno Fernandez finishing a ball slid across thanks to a deceiving run from Ronaldo. Emphatically, they sealed their place in the final 16 here, a confident, sharp performance.
Matchday 3
After their comfortable display cruising past Turkey, Matchday 3 was a shock to Portugal’s system. Eight changes to their XI disrupted their flow, allowing Georgia to make history as they flew past Portugal within 2 minutes. The start of a riveting fixture. Portugal maintained possession well, however were unable to remain structurally sound - disjointed play narrowing the opportunity to get themselves back into the tie. A penalty brought the second, which Mikautadze slotted home with ease. Georgia did not have plenty of opportunities, however made them count when they were able to hit the counter when the Portuguese lost possession, and caused annoyance by holding their defence ably. Sitting with 4 points, the debutants made history by reaching their first major tournament knockout stages, advancing as one of the best third placed teams.
It was all drama in the other fixture of the closing group matchday, where Turkey fought hard to secure their spot in the final 16. A heated fixture began with both teams feeling the pressure with qualification on the line, but the glimpse of hope Czechia cultivated after a strong start was soon flattened, as they were forced down to 10 with Barak receiving 2 yellow cards early on, inviting Turkey to push but they held up well, as the Cresent Stars failed a shot on target before the half. They came out dangerous in the second and opened within 5 minutes, Calhanoglu meeting the bottom corner. Czechia were willing to fight however, equalising shortly after that to get themselves back into the tie, adding fuel to an already fiery match. To paint the picture of the extent of the intensity, this heated tie made history as a total of 18 cards were shown in or after the game. Emotions running so high. The game was open for either side to win, however it was left to the 94th minute until a side sealed the deal, Tosun on the end of the magic moment winning it for Turkey.
So, what now? Portugal had a slow start to their campaign, yet picked up with their confident and dominant performance over Turkey. Rotation was clearly an issue as they became disjointed and were trampled by the underdogs. Ronaldo, the ever-standout name in this Portuguese side, is yet to open his account but has been generous in providing assists to propel his side. They face Slovenia on Monday 1 July, who placed 3rd in group C after drawing the entirety of their fixtures. Portugal will be confident that they can advance, with some impressive football played throughout the group stages, yet if they do they may be on course to come against the ever-threatening France, with the potential to face Spain or Germany in the final four after that.
Turkey come up against Austria on Tuesday 2 July, who have been highlighted as one of this tournament’s dark horses, winning group D emphatically. It is due to be an exciting, contested tie, and in tournament football, anything can happen, but Turkey need to step up and take the energy from their celebrations following their stoppage-time victory and turn around the 6-1 defeat they faced when the sides met back in March. Austria will be without Patrick Wimmer who is suspended, yet the high-energy side will try and not let the winger’s absence hinder their chances.
Having come this far, Georgia were undoubtedly going to reach for the stars and give it their all. The debutants came up against an adept Spanish side on Sunday 30 June, who have been ruthless this campaign - the only team to win all 3 group games eventually swept Georgia aside, but had to come from behind to win the tie 4 - 1. Georgia have the ability to be dangerous in front of goal, as we saw with their chances against Portugal, but have been defensively unstable at times which has been worrying with their counter-attacking based play. Where Spain have been brilliant all over the park, yet to concede this tournament, they were always going to be a tough nut to crack.
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