Turkey vs Georgia

Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park sets the stage for a high-stakes Euro 2024 Group F opener between perennial underachievers Turkey and debutants Georgia.

Back to major international tournaments after missing out on the 2022 World Cup, Turkey will hope to defy history that has seen them start their five previous European Championships appearances, four of which ‘to nil.’ Their first encounter against Georgia since 2012 looks like a perfect opportunity for the ‘Crescent-Stars’ to get their Group F campaign off to a flying start, considering their dominant H2H record (W3, D3, L1). But despite going from strength to strength during the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign (W5, D2, L1), Vincenzo Montella’s side can’t take anything for granted. Their form ahead of the tournament paints a bleak picture, with Turkey going winless in five consecutive internationals (D2, L3), frustratingly scoring one goal or fewer on each occasion.

On the other hand, Georgia squeezed past Luxembourg and Greece in the March playoffs without conceding to secure their place at a first-ever major tournament. Those victories form part of a three-game winning streak, bookended by a 3-1 friendly triumph against Montenegro in their only warm-up fixture. Defensive solidity could be the key to Georgia’s unlikely progression into the knockout rounds. They’ll hope to keep Turkey at bay in the first half, knowing 11 of the Turks’ 14 goals at the Euro finals have come after the break. But taking three points against the world’s #40-ranked nation has proved nearly impossible for the ‘Crusaders’ as they last defeated such opposition in 2012. Manager Willy Sagnol can take heart from Georgia’s free-scoring form that has seen them net 2+ goals in five of their last seven outings.