Failing to appear among the big favorites for Euro 2024 such as England, France or even Germany, Portugal will be one of the main outsiders to victory on July 14. The Cristiano Ronaldo gang, eliminated by Belgium (1-0) in the round of 16 during the 2020 edition should emerge from a largely affordable group stage. We will still have to be wary of Turkey and the Czech Republic while Georgia will go from further away for its first participation in the European Nations Championship. Countries, matches, calendar, favorites… Here is everything you need to know about Group F of Euro 2024.
Group F teams
After a perfect qualifying campaign with 10 wins in as many matches while conceding only two goals, the Portugal seems a cut above the other three teams in the group. Crowned in the competition in 2016, the “ Seleção”, now coached by Roberto Martinez has digested the disappointment of elimination in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup against Morocco. The technician notably relaunched Cristiano Ronaldo, luxury replacement in Qatar and who will play his 11th major international tournament. The Lusitanians will enter the competition against the Czech Republic quarter-finalist during the last edition but who will have to do with one coach only in office since the start of 2024: Ivan Hasek. Led by Bayer Leverkusen scorer Patrik Schick, the Slavic selection finished in second place in their group during the qualifiers behind the surprising Albania. For its part, Türkiye will arrive with revenge after two early eliminations in the first round during the last two Euros. Led by former Italian international, Vincenzo Montella, the Turkish selection finished at the top of its qualifiers but remains in three matches without a victory in 2024, including a heavy defeat in Austria (6-1). She achieved the feat of qualifying for Euro 2024: the Georgia by Willy Sagnol. Under the leadership of the French technician since 2022, “ The crusaders ” are in constant progress with this historic qualification acquired during the play-off against Greece (0-0, 4-2 tab).
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Group F schedule
Tuesday June 18
6 p.m.: Türkiye – Georgia (at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund and live on bein Sports)
9 p.m.: Portugal – Czech Republic (at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig and live on TF1)
Saturday June 22
3 p.m.: Türkiye – Portugal (at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg and live on bein Sports)
6 p.m.: Georgia – Czech Republic (at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund and live on bein Sports)
Wednesday June 26
9 p.m.: Georgia – Portugal (at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg and live on M6)
9 p.m.: Czech Republic – Türkiye (at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen and live on bein Sports)
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The favorite of group F
According to the bookmakers, not too surprised with Portugal considered the favorite of this group F (1.40). On the other hand, there is a match between Turkey (5) and the Czech Republic (6) to win second place which seems a long way off for Georgia (15). As a reminder, you will have to finish in one of the first two places to ensure a place in the round of 16. The third in the group can always hope to see the next round by appearing among the 4 best thirds in the group stage.
THE COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EURO MATCHES
The three players to follow in this group F
Beyond Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Martinez also selected Gonçalo Ramos, the PSG striker. Arriving this summer in the Parisian capital, the Lusitanian striker had a complicated season, not really being in Luis Enrique’s plans. He played 40 matches (14 goals) in all competitions for only 21 starts. Revelation of the 2022 World Cup with 4 goals on the clock, Ramos remains very effective in the Portuguese jersey with 8 goals in 12 selections. He too must look forward to Euro 2024. Khvicha KvaratskheliaItalian champion with Napoli in 2023, had a rather complicated post-title season concluded by a disappointing 10th place in Serie A. Key element of his selection, the winger who could bounce back at PSG will be one to watch in this group F .
Unlike his two companions, Arda Guler will arrive in Germany with full confidence but above all a Spanish championship title and a Champions League as titles won this season at only 19 years old. Recruited by Real Madrid last July, the Turkish nugget has a nice ratio of goals/matches played with one goal every 63 minutes (6 goals in 10 La Liga matches).
