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Key events
1 minute: Coufal throws a long, long throw in Turkey box on the right. A bit of panic in Turkey’s defense as the bouncing ball eludes everyone and goes just to the left of the goal. It turned out that there was too much jostling and the whistle went out, but still, for a brief moment, Turkish hearts were in their mouths.
The Czech Republic spin the ball. It’s practically a home game for Turkey, whose fans give it a lot.
The teams are out! Czechia in red with blue trim, Turkey in white with a red stripe on the chest. A rare old commotion at the Volksparkstadion, the grandest noise heard in Hamburg since the Beatles came to town. There are coins to be tossed, fists to be pumped, national anthems to be sweetly sung, shining stars to the people, rustling pines and spring blossom, all of it. We’ll be leaving as soon as it’s over!
Tonight’s games in Group F could be hugely important to England’s campaign. If one or both of the Czech Republic and Georgia win, the resulting battle for third place will end with England taking on Slovakia on Sunday night. If neither of them manage – or if the Czechs win by three goals or more – England will play the Netherlands. There are official UEFA-stamped reasons for all of this, but my poor little brain can’t process them, so please, let’s just take it all as read and not start pulling threads.
The Czechs have faced Turkey on 21 previous occasions, first as part of Czechoslovakia and more recently as Czech Republic. They have the better record in the long run, with 12 wins to Turkey’s six. However, Turkey have won the last three matches between the sides and beaten them twice in the finals, winning 2-0 in the Euro 2016 groups and famously coming back from two down with 15 minutes to go to win 3- 2 in the Euro 2008 last 16. Here’s how these matches played out…
The Czech Republic made two changes to their starting line-up after the 1-1 draw with Georgia. Patrik Schick failed to prove his fitness so Mojmír Chytil took his place up front; Schick, however, will be available from the bench. Antonin Barak enters the midfield at the expense of Vaclav Cerni.
The coach of Turkey, Vincenzo Montella, was fed up after the 0:3 defeat by Portugal. Only four players who started this match keep their place: Samet Akaydin, Ferdi Kadioglu, Baraş Alper Yılmaz and captain Hakan Calhanoğlu. 19-year-old prodigy Arda “The Turkish Messi” Güler is back from injury.
The teams
Czech Republic: Stanek, Holes, Hranac, Krejci, Koufal, Soucek, Provod, David Jurasek, Barak, Hlozek, Chytil.
Reserves: Zima, Vitik, Shevcik, Schick, Kuchta, Dudera, Kovar, Cerni, Chori, Lingr, Cerv, Jarosz, Vlcek, Sulz, Matej Jurasek.
Turkey: Gunok, Muldur, Demiral, Akaidan, Kadioglu, Calhanoglu, Yozcan, Guler, Yuksek, Yildiz, Yilmaz.
Reserves: Celik, Jokuslu, Kokcu, Aktürkoglu, Tosun, Yazigi, Bayindir, Kaplan, Kahvedi, Ayhan, Cakir, Kulçsoy, Akgun, Yildirim.
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (Romania).
A Millî Takımızımızın, Çekya kaşınde sahaya sahaya taşık 11’i belli oldu. #BizimÇocuklar🇹🇷 #CZEvTUR
11’imiz: Mert Gunok, Merich Demiral, Samet Akaydin, Arda Guler, Hakan Calhanoglu, Salih Yozcan, Ismail Yuksek, Mert Muldur, Kenan Yildiz, Ferdi Kadioglu, Barus Alper Yilmaz. pic.twitter.com/zcjoiaGhCM
— Türkiye #BizimÇocuklar 🇹🇷 (@MilliTakimlar) June 26, 2024
Preamble
It’s a crunch time in Group F, where there’s a lot to play for. Take it away, Uefa, and feel free to use your own house style!
Turkey will reach the round of 16 as second place in the group if they avoid defeat by the Czech Republic. Turkey will fail to reach the round of 16 if they lose and Georgia beat Portugal in the other match of the third round of the section.
The Czech Republic will reach the round of 16 as second place in the group if they beat Turkey and Georgia fail to beat Portugal. If the Czech Republic and Georgia both win, they will be tied for second and third place on aggregate goal difference, then aggregate goals scored, then disciplinary points and then European qualifiers. The Czech Republic will finish third if they draw and Georgia do not win. The Czech Republic will not be able to reach the round of 16 if they lose.
Here it is. It all starts at 20:00 BST. It’s on!
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