a record Cristiano Ronaldo, the Czech Republic of Patrick Schick… Group F in the spotlight

Winner of the competition in 2016, Portugal is the favorite of a relatively open group behind it, with the Czech Republic, Georgia and Turkey.

A group of outsiders more than favorites. This is how we could describe Group F, which includes Portugal, the Czech Republic, Georgia and Turkey. Holders of the title lost in 2021, Portugal arrives in Germany with a rejuvenated selection but not deprived of talent. Around footballers like Rafael Leão, Bernardo Silva or Bruno Fernandes, Roberto Martinez’s players can aim for the title but will have to find a collective strength which they lacked at the Qatari World Cup (elimination by Morocco in the quarter-finals).

Alongside them, Georgia, Turkey and the Czech Republic should compete for second and third places in the group. If the first city will compete in its first major competition, the last two nations are looking for their finest hours, which date back to the beginning of the century. An open group, which will be contested between Dortmund, Leipzig, Hamburg and Gelsenkirchen, and where we should be treated to suspense.

The player: Patrik Schick

Revelation of Euro 2021, where he finished joint top scorer alongside Cristiano Ronaldo with five goals, Patrick Schick has not had a linear trajectory since. Between long-term injuries and a period without a goal, the center forward did not really confirm the expectations born from his flamboyant tournament, despite a good 2021/2022 season (24 goals). Since then, he has only been called up six times with the Národní týmthe fault of a fragile body.

But with 19 goals in 38 caps, he remains one of the Czech Republic’s main threats. Little by little returning to form this season (13 goals and three assists) and pumped up by Bayer Leverkusen’s exceptional season, he has everything to once again be the spearhead of a country which has become accustomed to to shine at the Euro, with at least a presence in the quarter-finals four times since 1996.

The number: 6

Already the top scorer in the history of the competition with 14 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo has the opportunity to break a new mark in Germany. If his 25 appearances in the competition also constitute a record mark, he will also become the first player in history to participate in six editions of the Euro (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2021 and therefore 2024).

He currently shares this honorary title with Iker Casillas, present five times in the tournament with La Roja, but will therefore, in all likelihood, play a new edition and sit alone at the top of a mountain of records on the Old Continent .

The surprise: Georgia

At the helm of the Georgian national team since February 2021, Willy Sagnol achieved the feat of qualifying Georgia for its first major international competition. Carried by a talented generation, symbolized by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Naples), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia), Zuriko Davitashvili (Bordeaux) and Georges Mikautadze (Metz), the Caucasian selection reached the Euro by eliminating Greece in the play-offs. Without any pressure or expectation, the Crusaders arrive in Germany with the desire to show that their qualification is not usurped.

The anecdote to shine: in Germany, Turkey will almost be at home

If German stadiums will resonate to the rhythms of supporters’ chants from June to July, one nation should garner a little more passion than the others. With a diaspora estimated at around three million individuals, the Turkish community is the largest in the host country. Five players on the team were born there, while there are two players of Turkish origin, İlkay Gündoğan and Deniz Undav, on the German team.

As proof, when, in November 2023, Turkey came to win in Berlin (3-2), more than half of the stadium capsized with happiness, all committed to the cause of Ay-Yıldızlılar. A particularity far from being ignored by coach Vincenzo Montella, who declared after the match: “We will probably play like at home“. Same story with the defender Ferdi Kadıoğlu: “We have many citizens in Germany and neighboring countries. We can’t wait to play alongside them.” In the event of a confrontation between the two teams during the Euro, the atmosphere risks being electric.

Group F schedule: