Euro 2024: Turkey goals to bounce again from Euro flop in opposition to debutants Georgia

Turkey’s Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella talks to Turkey gamers throughout a coaching session of Turkey’s nationwide soccer workforce forward of the UEFA Euro 2024 soccer Championship on the workforce’s base camp in Barsinghausen.
| Photograph Credit score: AFP

Turkey start their Euro 2024 marketing campaign in opposition to newcomers Georgia on June 18 figuring out a profitable begin in one of many match’s weaker teams would give them an ideal likelihood of creating the knockout levels after disappointing final time round.

Tipped as darkish horses going into Euro 2020, Turkey crashed out having misplaced all three group-stage video games however they impressed in qualifying for Germany as they topped a gaggle together with 2022 World Cup finalists Croatia.

Their newer type has been combined: since beating Germany 3-2 in Berlin in November, Turkey haven’t gained in 5 video games and have been hammered 6-1 by Austria in a pleasant in March earlier than holding reigning champions Italy to a draw this month.

Turkey’s ambitions of progressing from a gaggle additionally containing Euro 2016 winners Portugal and Czech Republic relaxation largely on captain and midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, a key a part of Inter Milan’s Serie A-winning facet.

Hopes are additionally excessive for attacking midfielder Arda Guler after the 19-year-old got here again from damage to attain 5 targets in 5 video games on the finish of Actual Madrid’s victorious La Liga marketing campaign.

Georgia, in the meantime, are enjoying of their first ever main match and are the clear underdogs in Group F. Their slim prospects of qualifying for the final 16 will relaxation largely on the shoulders of talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

With Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili reportedly a goal for a number of high European golf equipment and ahead Georges Mikautadze impressing on mortgage at Metz final season, Georgia have expertise at each ends of the pitch.

However Napoli’s Kvaratskhelia — dubbed “Kvaradona” in a nod to Diego Maradona, maybe the best praise Napoli followers can provide — have to be at his greatest if Georgia are to spring a shock and attempt to assist unite a fractured nation, just lately wracked by large protests in opposition to a controversial “international agent” legislation.

“It was the best dream of each Georgian to grow to be part of such an essential match, and it was the happiest day for all of us once we achieved it,” Kvaratskhelia instructed UEFA.com.

“However we did not come right here simply to attend, we want to depart our mark on Euro 2024, to write down a brand new web page of historical past.”

With a Portugal facet stuffed with expertise anticipated to high Group F, Turkey and Czech Republic, who face one another on June 26, would be the probably contenders for second place.

Turkey, although, should first overcome a Georgia workforce who could also be unburdened by expectation as they purpose to grow to be solely the fifth facet to win the title on their debut in a European Championship.