Euro 2024: Georgia Secures First Euros Point with 1-1 Draw Against Czech Republic
Euro 2024 Group F Showdown: Georgia, who are making their debut in the Euros, drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic on Saturday to earn their first-ever point in a dramatic Group F match of Euro 2024.
The Czech team’s equalizer, scored by Patrik Schick, increased the tension and put both teams in a difficult group standing.
Patrik Schick chested home to win the Czech Republic a 1-1 draw against debutants Georgia on Saturday in an enthralling match, but it left both teams in a tough place in Euro 2024 Group F. They have a point each ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal meeting Turkey later Sunday, as the top two clash having already beaten the Czechs and Georgia respectively.
Georgia’s coach, Willy Sagnol, claimed that his players’ disappointment at their first-round loss demonstrated how far they have come. They gave it their all in Hamburg to secure their first point in the tournament.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, the goalkeeper, had a series of outstanding saves to keep his team in the match, and Georges Mikautadze’s penalty kick gave them the lead shortly before halftime. And at the conclusion of a thrilling match, Schick repeated his heroics as a goal scorer from Euro 2020 with an improvised finish to leave honors even.
Despite needing medical attention during the warm-up, Georgia’s star attacking combination, Mikautadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, were allowed to begin the game. They pressed hard right away, but Ivan Hasek’s Czech team created the first real opportunities and continued to be the more threatening team.
On a hectic afternoon, Valencia’s goalie Mamardashvili produced excellent early stops to deny Adam Hlozek and later Schick. When Ladislav Krejci put pressure on Zuriko Davitashvili, Georgia demanded a penalty, but their requests were dismissed.
Both teams were under pressure to win three points at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg following their defeats in their opening games, which made for an incredibly thrilling end-to-end contest. Georgia’s supporters were outnumbered during their dramatic opening loss to Turkey, but this time they were in the majority, roaring every time Napoli winger Kvaratskhelia got the ball in opposing territory.
Czech right-back The Georgian was booked for being clipped by Vladimir Coufal when he was trying to counter. After 23 minutes, Hlozek scored a goal, but a VAR review for handball resulted in the goal being disallowed.
Mamardashvili stopped the striker’s initial shot, and the rebound struck Hlozek in the face and then his arm before going over the line. Lukas Provod, the Czech player who scored the game’s first goal against Portugal, booked Mikautadze for shoving him.
During stoppage time in the first half, Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanec made a fantastic save against Georgia captain Guram Kashia. However, the referee awarded a penalty when VAR detected a handball committed by defender Robin Hranac during the build-up.
Mikautadze scored with assurance to put his team ahead at halftime, but not before Mamardashvili made a fantastic save low from Schick. When replacement Ondrej Lingr’s header from a corner rebounded back off the post, Schick, co-top scorer for the 2020 Euros, scored from close range to tie the game. In a similar fashion, they nearly seized the lead when Krejci curled another header just wide.
Also Read: Portugal’s Victory over Turkey as Bernardo Silva Shines in Euro 2024
With six goals, Schick surpassed Milan Baros to become their all-time leading scorer at the Euros. However, halfway through the second half, the Bayer Leverkusen attacker hobbled off with what appeared to be a calf injury.
At the end of a three-on-one break, replacement Saba Lobjanidze blasted over with just the goalkeeper to beat, denying Georgia a wonderful opportunity to win the game.
CEO of the Czech Republic, Ivan Hasek:
“I would like to congratulate Georgia and their coach, Willy Sagnol, on getting a point,” he stated to UEFA.com. “The fans witnessed an incredible game played by both teams in a fantastic atmosphere.
“We controlled the game, but we couldn’t find the back of the net. The 26 efforts are self-explanatory. Admittedly, we were relieved that our adversaries failed to capitalize on their final-minute counterattack opportunity.”
Head of Georgia Willy Sagnol:
According to him, “We have nothing to lose: absolutely,” UEFA.com reported. “The purpose of this EURO was for us to gain experience. Though I adore Georgia dearly, I didn’t think we would win our first tournament. It was crucial for the players to experience the pinnacle of sport. Though there is still much to learn, it will benefit Georgia in the long run.
