Kickoff chronicles

Group E: Slovakia vs Romania, Ukraine vs Belgium

Going into the final round, Group E was the closest of them all, with every team’s chance of qualification in their own hands. Each team was tied on 3 points with goal difference going to play a major part in deciding who would go through in this group. The Frankfurt Arena saw Slovakia take on Romania while the Stuttgart Arena had Ukraine playing Belgium. Slovakia were the first of all 4 teams to put the ball into the back of the net when they took the lead over Romania inside 25 minutes. Juraj Kucka received the ball in the right side of the Romanian half where there was only one thought on his mind; play the ball into the box. His delivery was perfect as he watched his cross float perfectly to the back post. Ondrej Duda headed the ball back at the far corner, confusing Romanian keeper Florin Nita as he agonisingly watched the ball bounce over the line. Less than 10 minutes later, Romania struck level after David Hancko fouled Ianis Hagi right on the line of the 18 yard box. It was originally given as just a foul by the referee but after a quick VAR check it was found that the contact was inside the penalty area. Razvan Marin stepped up to take the spot kick and dispatched it brilliantly, blasting the ball into the top left corner. 

The first period finished 1-1 and with the result over in Stuttgart finishing 0-0 at the interval, all teams were tied with 4 points as it stood with Ukraine the team with the most pressure, sitting bottom due to goal difference.

The second half in Frankfurt had everything with both teams going at each other for 45 minutes, battling it out for first place in Group E. In the end, Romania and Slovakia were able to celebrate together as a 1-1 draw saw them both progress, Romania in 1st place and Slovakia in 3rd. Back in Stuttgart, Ukraine were all over Belgium but just failed to find that final predator-like touch in the 18 yard box. It was heartbreak for them in the end as the final result finished 0-0, resulting in a knock out due to goal difference. Their first game versus Romania will haunt them, losing 3-0 as it made a huge dent in their difference. Belgium were strong defensively as they took 2nd place in Group E. In the Round of 16, Romania will play the Netherlands, Belgium will take on France, and Slovakia will play Group C winners England. 

Group F: Georgia vs Portugal, Czech Republic vs Turkey

The final 2 games of the Group stage saw rookies Georgia take on 2016 winners Portugal at The Arena AufSchalke while The Czech Republic took on Turkey at the Volksparkstadion, Hamburg. Georgia, the team who everyone had written off, continued to shock the world when they took a lead inside 90 seconds against Portugal. It was proving not to be young Portuguese centre back Antonio Silva’s day as he gave the ball away to Georgian attack Georges Mikautadze leaving Portugal in a 2v2 situation. Mikautadze played a perfect through ball to Kvicha Kvaratskhelia who was through on goal. The Napoli attacker took a touch before burying into the far left corner with his opposite foot, sending the Georgian fans into a state of disbelief and ecstasy. It was a must win for the rookies as they had only got 1 point so far. They would also need Turkey to beat Czechia if they were to take 3rd place. It may have helped that Portugal were resting a few key players as they had already topped Group F. 

Over at the Volksparkstadion, it wasn’t looking good for the Czech Republic as they went down to 10 men inside 20 minutes after Antonin Barak saw red after he received a second yellow card for a nasty challenge on Salih Ozcan. It was a terrible situation for Czechia as this was a must win game. They continued to play well with 10 men in the first period as they went into the interval tied at 0-0. Back in Schalke, Georgia went into the break 1-0 after soaking up all of Portugal’s pressure. The player of the match so far was Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili who was a brick wall at the back.

Early in the second half, it went from bad to worse for Czechia as they conceded after just 6 minutes. After a series of last ditch blocks and tackles in the Czech Republic penalty area, Turkey finally scored. Czechia thought they had cleared it and had some time to recuperate but Turkey had other ideas when Ismail Yuksek played Hakan Calhanoglu into the penalty area. The Inter Milian midfielder hit it first time with his right foot, watching it fizz along the turf and finding the far bottom corner. 

In Stuttgart, Georgia found themselves in dreamland when they were awarded with a fantastic chance to double their lead against the 2016 winners. Once again young centre back Silva was at fault, carelessly kicking the shins of full back Luka Lochoshvili as he went on one of his signature runs into the opposition penalty area. Mikautadze stepped up to take the spot kick and converted it perfectly, rolling the ball along the grass as it found the bottom right corner, making him the top scorer in the competition with a total of 3 goals. 

In the 66th minute in Schalke, Czechia found the answer they had been looking for, pulling Turkey back level with them at 1-1. The man to make the difference was West Ham midfielder and Czechia captain, Tomas Soucek. The ball was not claimed by Turkish keeper Mert Gunok as it pinballed around the 6 yard area. Eventually it fell to the skipper who made no mistake with his finish, drilling the ball into the roof of the net as he spun away in celebration. In the end, the Czech Republic sent everyone up hopeful to find a last minute winner. It unfortunately back fired though as, in stoppage time, Turkey formed a counter attack. Cenk Tosun received the ball down the left wing and dribbled into the penalty area. He was allowed to keep going as he took it a few more yards before smashing the ball into the far corner, winning the game late on for Turkey. The game finished 1-2 with substitute Tomas Chory sent off after the whistle for an incident at the end. It was heartbreak for Czechia as they bowed out in the group stage. Turkey finished 2nd in the group with Portugal topping Group F, despite losing 2-0 to Georgia. It is history for Georgia as they finished 3rd on 4 points which is enough to see them into the Round of 16. They may not have the quality players in their squad but their team spirit and togetherness was enough to see them through in their first ever European Championships. Portugal will play Slovenia in the Round of 16, Turkey will take on Austria, while Georgia will play the only team with a 100 percent record in Spain.

Written by Ollie Wade