Romania and Slovakia go to war
In the most competitive group at EURO 2024, the third-placed team Slovakia will face the first-placed team Romania in Group E in the final match taking place at 11pm on June 26, in which the winning team will advance.
Romania (yellow shirt) competes with Slovakia to win the ticket to the next round.
All four teams in Group E have three points after two matches after Slovakia and Romania lost to Ukraine and Belgium respectively in the previous round. For the first time at a EURO, all four teams in the same group are level on three points after two matches.
This is Slovakia's third consecutive EURO, and they were eliminated in the group stage in 2020 with three points. They opened this year's group stage with an impressive win over Belgium, but after losing 2-1 to Ukraine last weekend, the Falcons now need at least a draw with Romania to progress.
To qualify for the round of 16 as a top two team, Slovakia must beat Romania and will finish first if they win and Ukraine fails to beat Belgium in their match at the same time. Conversely, if they lose to Romania and Belgium avoid defeat, Slovakia will be eliminated.
Coach Francesco Calzona has been in charge of Slovakia since August 2022 and although he did not win any of his first five games, the signs have been positive since then with 10 wins in his last 15. In fact, in the EURO 2024 qualifiers, Calzona's team lost just twice in 10 games, both defeats to Portugal.
Romania will finish in the top two of Group E and qualify for the last 16 if they avoid defeat, and will top the group if they win and Belgium do not beat Ukraine. However, they will not qualify for the last 16 if they lose and Ukraine avoid defeat.
Group E standings after 2 matches
Romania lost 2-0 to Belgium in the second match and although they had some good moments, it is fair to say that there is a significant gap in quality between the two teams. The Tricolours failed to qualify for EURO 2020 but coach Edward Iordanescu, who took charge in January 2022, has breathed new life into his side with some excellent results that have seen his side qualify for Germany.
Romania qualified for EURO 2024 in impressive form, topping their group ahead of Switzerland, unbeaten and conceding just four goals in 10 games. However, their form heading into EURO 2024 has been anything but ideal, failing to win any of their four games. If Romania make it past the round of 16, it will be their first time out of the group stage since reaching the quarter-finals of EURO 2000.
Belgium need 1 point against Ukraine
Belgium and Ukraine will clash for a place in the last 16 of Group E at 11pm on June 26 in a tight group. Both teams won their second matches, with Serhiy Rebrov's Ukraine beating Slovakia 2-1 and Belgium winning 2-0 against Romania.
Anything can happen in the final round of Group E at EURO 2024 when all four teams have 3 points after 2 matches. However, the Ukrainian team is currently at the bottom of the group due to their inferior goal difference.
Lukaku (right) wants to score to dispel criticism
After losing 0-3 to Romania in their opening match, Ukraine staged a comeback against Slovakia to keep alive their hopes of continuing their EURO 2024 adventure. Rebrov's side will secure a top-two finish if they win and could even finish first. Meanwhile, a draw would be enough for third place - and a possible last-16 spot - if Romania's clash with Slovakia does not end in a draw. Even if they lose, Rebrov's side are still in the running.
Belgium were more effective in their win over Romania after a shock defeat to Slovakia. Belgium's all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku did not want to be left red-faced again after a string of missed chances.
Domenico Tedesco's side only need to avoid defeat in their final game to secure a place in the round of 16. They will top the group with a win over Ukraine, while Slovakia can only draw or lose to Romania. But a defeat, along with Romania earning at least one point, will see the Red Devils eliminated in the group stage, similar to the 2022 World Cup.
With the shock defeat to Slovakia their worst result in 17 games in all competitions, Belgium can be optimistic about getting a point against Ukraine.
Türkiye takes advantage over Czech Republic
The Czech Republic and Türkiye will clash for a place in the round of 16 in the final round of Group F at 2am on June 27. Both teams are aiming to join Group F leaders Portugal in the round of 16, with Turkey only needing to avoid defeat to secure second place in the group, while the Czech Republic must win, while also hoping Georgia doesn't cause a shock against Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. in the match at the same time.
Czech Republic (white shirt) must beat Türkiye if they want to enter the round of 16.
After losing to Portugal in the first match, the hero of the journey to the quarter-finals of EURO 2020, Patrik Schick, became the inspiration to help the Czech Republic avoid defeat against Georgia in the second match. Thanks to that, coach Ivan Hasek's team now holds their destiny in their own hands to reach the round of 16.
The Czech Republic could finish second if they beat Türkiye and Georgia fail to stun Portugal. But if both win, goal difference will be the deciding factor. A draw would almost certainly end the Czech Republic's run at Euro 2024. The 1996 runners-up may have arrived in Germany with five straight wins, but they have won just four of their last 15 matches.
Meanwhile, Türkiye can be more inspired by looking back at history, when they beat the Czech Republic twice before at EURO and both happened in the final round of the group stage.
Group F standings after 2 rounds
Türkiye will in fact qualify as Group F runners-up if they avoid defeat in Hamburg. Only a loss and a win by Georgia would see Vincenzo Montella’s side miss out. Barring any further upsets, they will reach the last 16 for the first time since their brilliant run to the semi-finals in 2008.
Despite suffering a 0-3 defeat to Portugal in the previous round, thanks to a 3-1 win over Georgia in the opening match, Türkiye only needs 1 point to advance.
Georgia is hungry to make history
With top spot in Group F already secured, Portugal will hope to continue their winning streak when they face Georgia in the final Group F match at 2am on June 27. Portugal's consecutive victories over the Czech Republic and Türkiye have secured them a place in the round of 16, while the Crusaders (Georgia's nickname) need three points to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
After a thrilling 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their opening game, Portugal join Germany and Spain as the only two winners of their group stage. And Ronaldo will make his 50th appearance at a major tournament for Portugal if he features against Georgia.
Georgia (right) is eager to make history in the match against Portugal.
That said, coach Martinez's team still has to prove their strength against a Georgia team that has enough elements to cause a shock. After putting pressure on Türkiye in the opening match of Group F but failing, Georgia scored their first point at a major tournament in the second match against the Czech Republic.
The Crusaders face a tough task in qualifying for the EURO group stage in their first appearance. Willy Sagnol's side need three points to at least finish as one of the four best third-placed teams.
The clash in the mining town of Gelsenkirchen will be only the second between Portugal and Georgia. Portugal previously beat Georgia 2-0 in a friendly in 2008.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lich-thi-dau-euro-2024-hom-nay-bi-kho-tho-truoc-ukraine-cho-georgia-gay-soc-cho-ronaldo-185240625183637649.htm
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