Kickoff chronicles

Georgia vs Czech Republic

The first game to kick off day 9 of this entertaining Euros in Germany was staged at the Volksparkstadion Hamburg with Georgia taking on The Czech Republic. Czechia dominated the majority of the first half, prevented from scoring due to some brilliant saves by Georgian shot stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili. They did put the ball in the back of the net after 22 minutes but Adam Hlozek used his hand to do so and VAR rightfully chalked it off. After soaking up all the Czech Republic pressure, Georgia then found themselves a golden opportunity to take the lead. They were awarded a spot kick just before the interval due to a handball from Robin Hranac as a dangerous free kick floated into the penalty area. Georges Mikautadze stepped up to take it and gave his fans something to celebrate when he rolled it down the side netting. The half ended 1-0 with Czechia needing to come back in the 2nd half if they were to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. 

The Czech Republic made an ideal start to the 2nd half when they equalised inside 60 minutes. Ondrej Lingr’s header from a corner hit the post but Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick was there to cushion the ball in with his chest. They continued to dominate the rest of the half but Georgian keeper Mamardashvili was having the game of his life, saving everything Czechia threw at him. Then, with just seconds to play, Georgia found themselves with a 3 on 1 chance in the Czech Republic half. Giorgi Chakvetadze sprinted with the ball down the left wing before he played the ball across the penalty area to Luka Gugesashvili  who somehow skyed the ball, missing out on a huge opportunity to give Georgia their first ever win in a major international competition. The tie finished 1-1 with both sides not able to clinch all three points to strengthen their place in Group F. It will go right down to the final round.

Turkey vs Portugal

The 2nd game of day 9 was staged at the BVB Stadion Dortmund with Turkey playing Portugal. Roberto Martinez’s Portugal dominated the bulk of the play and chances, eventually finding the lead after 20 minutes. Nuno Mendes’ deflected cut back from the left side of the penalty area fell kindly into the path of Bernardo Silva who drilled the ball into the back of the net. Turkey then conceded a very unexpected and unlucky goal to make it 0-2. Joao Cancelo played a terrible ball, attempting to find Cristiano Ronaldo but Turkish defender Samet Akaydin recovered with no pressure. There was then no communication between Akaydin and his keeper Altay Bayindir as he agonisingly watched his pass back roll over the line. It was an embarrassing way to concede and the half finished 0-2 with Portugal dominating and looking to secure qualification to the knockout rounds.

Portugal all but confirmed the 3 points in the 56th minute when Bruno Fernades scored to make it 0-3. It was all thanks to captain Ronaldo who could have easily scored himself after Vitinha’s ball over the Turkish defence left Ronaldo one-on-one with keeper Bayindir. He then squared it to Fernandes who converted but it was very unselfish from Ronaldo as he threw away the opportunity to break the record and score in 6 consecutive Euros. Portugal continued to dominate possession for the rest of the game and held out for a convincing 0-3 win. This confirms their qualification to the Rd of 16 and they will only require 1 point in their next game against Georgia to claim top spot in Group F.

Belgium vs Romania

The final game of round 2 was staged at the Cologne Stadium with the underperforming Belgium taking on Romania, fresh off a 3-0 win over Ukraine. Belgium got off to the perfect start after their recent humbling from Slovakia. Jeremy Doku found Romelu Lukaku with a brilliant pass inside the penalty area. Lukaku laid it back to Youri Tielemans with a deft touch, Tielemans then drilled the ball into the bottom left corner, watching it fizz along the turf. It was a very quick goal, 1 minute and 14 seconds exactly, the fastest of the tournament so far. Belgium dominated the rest of the half, with the occasional chance on the break for Romania. The first 45 minutes ended 1-0 with Belgium hoping to hold on to win their first 3 points.

Belgium thought they had doubled their advantage early on in the second period when Lukaku put the ball into the back of the net for the third time this tournament. Unfortunately this one, like the previous two, did not stand as his toe was offside as Kevin De Bruyne played him through. The Belgians finally made it 2-0 just before the 80 minute mark when goalkeeper Koen Casteels played a long goal kick over the top of the Romanian defence. De Bruyne anticipated the pass and ran in behind. The Man.City midfielder took a good touch before sliding in to poke the ball past Romanian keeper Florin Kita. De Rode Duivels held out for the 2-0 win, taking them from 4th to 2nd in Group E. It is now closer than ever going into the final round, all 4 teams on 3 points.

Written by Ollie Wade