Our prediction for this Euro 2024 match:
Turkey
Match Time & Date:
18/06/2024
18:00
Prediction: 1-0
Georgia
After holding Italy to a goalless draw in their last warm-up game, Turkey will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they face Georgia in their EURO 2024 opener. A man to watch in the home team will be Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, while Hoffenheim defender Ozan Kabak has been left out of the squad after tearing a knee ligament against the Azzurri. Willy Sagnol’s troops, on the other hand, outplayed Montenegro 3-1 in their last friendly game.
The nominal visitors will rely on Napoli ace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia against Turkey, but we are tempted to put our money on Vincenzo Montella’s troops this time out as they are a more experienced side than Georgia. Jaba Kankava surprisingly misses out for the Georgians. In their last meeting on the international stage, back in 2012, Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1, which goes in favour of our earlier prediction.
Highlighted Player (Hakan Calhanoglu):
Hakan Calhanoglu is another one in the long line of Turkish footballers who were born in Germany, so it is hardly surprising he came to prominence thanks to his performances in Bundesliga. The attacking midfielder with great vision and very good goalscoring record started his professional career at Karlsruher, scoring impressive 17 goals in 50 league outings to earn a move to Bundesliga side Hamburg.
The spell at Imtech Arena was merely a stepping stone for bigger things as 11 goals in his debut top flight campaign persuaded Bayer Leverkusen to splash nearly €15 million on his services. That proved a very good investment as Calhanoglu continued the rich vein of form, and it is now a matter of time before he joins one of European powerhouses.
The midfield maestro had a bright start to his career in the Turkey national team, scoring 5 goals in first 16 caps, and chances are he will become a leader for Milli Takim in the foreseeable future.
Highlighted Team (Georgia):
Georgia are yet another former Soviet republic who have been competing as an independent country since 1990. The Georgians had their international debut on May 27, 1990, with the team sharing the spoils with Lithuania in Tbilisi.
Georgia have been struggling in the qualifiers for both FIFA World Cup and the European Championship ever since they played their first qualifying game and they have yet to book their place at the finals of the major tournaments. The Georgian national football team recorded their biggest win on March 30, 1997, with the team hammering Armenia in front of home fans, but they were demolished by Denmark (1-6) eight years later and that is considered the team’s biggest loss.
The Likes of Kakha Kaladze and Shota Arveladze are considered Georgia’s most famous players. Kakha Kaladze played for Georgia from 1996 to 2011, scoring one goal in 83 appearances for the national team. The left-footed defender won two Champions League titles with Serie A giants AC Milan (2003, 2007).
Real Sociedad 
Osasuna 
Liverpool
Tottenham
Valencia 
Barcelona
Leyton Orient
Man City
Birmingham City
Newcastle
Brighton
Chelsea
