Türkiye and Georgia started their EURO2024 campaigns today in an end-to-end match at BVB Stadion Dortmund.
Türkiye got an early lead in the 25th minute after Mert Müldür’s superb volley beat Giorgi Mamardashvili at his near post.
However, seven minutes later, Georgia equalised after Georges Mikautadze was found in the six-yard box, and the striker slotted his shot away.
Türkiye restored their lead in the 65th minute after Arda Güler’s wonder shot beat Mamardashvili at his far post.
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorgia pushed for an equaliser and nearly got one, but Kerem Aktürkoğlu got the third and final goal for Türkiye, outpacing the Georgian defence after they committed everything forward to attack a corner as the gamed ended 3-1.
Here are five key takeaways from the match.
The best games at the EURO2024 don’t necessarily involve the biggest sides
This game was one of the most enjoyable yet for neutrals to watch in the tournament, with both teams willing to put everything on the line for their country.
It was an action-packed 90 minutes with everything a match could want: a wonder goal, an underdog equaliser, end-to-end action, brilliant saves, and beautiful football.
The encounter showcased exactly why smaller teams’ games compared to the ‘big nations’ can be more entertaining, and how they can put an underdog team’s stars on the big stage for the world to admire.
When people think back on this tournament, they will say the Türkiye vs Georgia game was one of the best opening matches.
Georgia can take lots of pride from their first-ever EUROs match
Coming into their first-ever major international tournament, Georgia would always be the underdog, but they showed against Türkiye that they could be a dangerous force in their group.
They didn’t win the game, but they can feel happy with their performance and can go into their next two games with faith they can get some results. Their attackers showed excellent pace and power capable of troubling their defence’s opponents.
Embed from Getty ImagesGerogia’s defence also showed their resilience during the match; Valencia goalkeeper Mamardashvili made some world-class saves to keep his team in the game. Captian Guram Kashia led the line alongside his two other defenders in a back three.
All these players, being in their first tournament, can take plenty of confidence (as well as lessons) from this clash to take into their remaining two group games.
Arda Güler shows his quality when it matters
The Real Madrid man was one of Türkiye’s best players today. He showed his quality going forward, whilst doing his defence duties.
He scored a beautiful goal that set Türkiye back in the lead, and created five chances for his teammates.
Embed from Getty ImagesGüler is one of the key players in this Turkish team, which can cause many problems for any opponent they face in Germany.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the focal point once again for Georgia
As for the opposition, Kvaratskhelia stood out as one of Georgia’s best talents and will feel unlucky his team didn’t get a result against Türkiye.
The winger created four chances, had 94% accurate passes, and had four touches in the opposition’s box. His fellow attackers could rest assured that his quality would set them up when it mattered, giving them far more confidence to push for their equaliser against tough opposition.
He will be a big part of their next two games as they look for their first win in a major tournament.
Group F could be the one to watch
The perhaps unexpectedly close nature of Group F’s opening match marks it out as a group to keep an eye on for upsets as the tournament progresses. Though Portugal entered it as clear favourites, and Georgia were all but counted out of qualifying for the round of 16, today’s games demonstrate that the top spots in the group are fair game for any of the teams.
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