On June 22nd at 9:00 PM, Georgia and Czech Republic will clash at the Volksparkstadion in the second round of Group F of the European Championship. According to the latest FIFA rankings, Georgia is ranked 74th in the world and 35th in Europe. Czech Republic is ranked 34th in the world and 20th in Europe.
In the first round, Georgia lost 1-3 to Turkey. Czech Republic lost 1-2 to Portugal. The F group standings show that both Georgia and Czech Republic have zero points, but due to goal difference, Czech Republic is currently in third place, while Georgia is at the bottom of the table. Both teams still have a chance to qualify, and the winner of this match will have the initiative in the group. Even if they draw, both teams will have something to look forward to in the final round. Comparatively speaking, Georgia’s task is slightly harder, as they will face Portugal.
Although Georgia is making its first appearance at the European Championship, they have shown a fighting spirit of being fearless newcomers. Their first game against Turkey allowed the world to rediscover Georgian football. Despite being considered an underdog, they displayed a combat readiness that completely overturned the sense of powerlessness implied by the label. On the contrary, they played calmly, methodically, and with sharp counter-attacks. Their tactical execution was decisive and straightforward, with each player demonstrating strong confidence. In this match, Georgia created 14 attempts, 5 on target, including 2 hitting the frame. If it wasn’t for luck, Turkey could have actually stumbled in their first game.
In recent years, Czech Republic’s overall strength has been steadily declining, and the country has found it increasingly difficult to produce outstanding young talents. However, this more down-to-earth Czech Republic surprised Portugal, the strongest team in the group, in the first game. Despite having far fewer shots than Portugal, the Czechs created 5 dangerous opportunities and scored a goal with less than 30% possession. In the ensuing match, they kept Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo, and Jota scoreless. Just as they were about to draw, young player Konecný emerged to score a last-minute winner. Although their attacking lineup has faced a shortage of talented young players for many years, Czech Republic still inherited the traditions of their predecessors: a tough defense and unwavering will and quality.
Historically, the two teams have never played each other. Therefore, this game is a real encounter. But in the first match, the two teams already showcased their different playing styles and tactics. Georgia relies on the individual ability of Kvaratskhelia, who can repeatedly create threats, but he seems to be “getting carried away” and is too focused on individual efforts. Although other players are not as talented as the Napoli winger, they are not without their strengths. On the Czech Republic side, their standout performance is still their sturdy defense, with players exhibiting strong collaborative defense and positional awareness. If they adopt a defensive strategy, any team will find it difficult to break through.
The most impressive player for Georgia in the first game was striker Mikautadze, who took 3 shots and scored the first goal in Georgia’s European Championship history. He also missed a golden opportunity. Kvaratskhelia, while trying hard, was too obsessed with individual breakthroughs and neglected the connection with his teammates. Post-game statistics show that he only succeeded in 6 out of 16 one-on-one situations. Although he sent several high-quality crosses, the number of attacking opportunities he wasted was more than 6 times.
The standout performer in the Czech Republic’s first game was goalkeeper Stanik. If it weren’t for his repeated saves, Czech Republic might have been overwhelmed by Portugal’s relentless attacks. He made 7 saves throughout the game. In addition, West Ham midfielder Souček and Slavia Prague defender Holeš also had excellent performances. However, striker Schick, who shone in the last European Championship, failed to replicate that brilliance. Facing Georgia might be a chance for him to prove himself once again.
Although Georgia is ranked low, they have demonstrated a true fighting spirit that should not be underestimated. Their straightforward and fast-paced style, with three or two players “passing back and forth” to break through defenses and create dangerous opportunities, left a lasting impression. Due to their decline in overall strength, Czech Republic has abandoned its aggressive attacking approach and focused on “parking the bus” tactics. In the second game against Georgia, considering their opponents’ “inferior” strength, they may return to an offensive approach. But they need to be wary of Georgia’s effective counter-attacking strategy and should avoid rashness.
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