Czech Republic – Turkey

The Turkish national team will play no worse than their opponents in the decisive match

The situation in Group F before the third round of the group stage looks quite predictable. The positioning of the teams is exactly as it was suggested by analysts before the start of the tournament. Portugal have six points and an early first place with an opportunity to play against Georgia with an experimental squad. Turkey has three points, which allows them to count on participation in the play-offs even from the third place. Finally, the Czech Republic and Georgia have only one point each after two rounds, which were won in a head-to-head encounter in the second round. If the first place is already secured, the second and third teams will have to fight for it. Much, if not everything, will be decided in a head-to-head meeting between Turkey and the Czech Republic. But don't write off the Georgians, who surprised many with their courageous play and are unlikely to give points to the Portuguese in the final game of the group. Bookmakers have not decided on a clear favourite for the meeting between the Czechs and the Turks, offering a slight bias in favour of Hasek's wards The Turkish team had an opportunity to get involved in the tournament with a match against Georgia. However, the Turks did not have an easy ride. As soon as Montella's men took the lead, they immediately got the ball back and could go to the status of the losing side. Turks managed to equalise the game only in the second half, when Guler scored and Akturkoglu's 90+7 minute goal. With Portugal in the second round, the Turks had no luck at all. In addition to three unanswered goals, Montella's wards also organised the most curious auto-goal of the European championship. The Czech Republic did not surprise in the opening rounds. A seven-minute lead against Portugal does not characterise the Czechs' performance in that game. Portugal were a head and shoulders above the Czechs, even though they won only by a goal in 90+2 minutes. The second match at the UEFA EURO was a disappointment for Czech fans. Not only did the match with Georgia ended 1-1, but the Czech Republic could have lost in the last seconds. Turkey has beaten the Czech team in all three of their last three meetings. The upcoming match is unlikely to be an easy one for the rivals, but there is every reason to believe that the Turks will not lose.