Top match in Group F, the clash (at 7 PM) between Turks and Portuguese will send the winner to the Round of 16 of the Euro. A second match where they must already confirm their performance. It is almost in the same mindset that Turkey, Portugal, Romania, Belgium, and notably the Czech Republic present themselves on Saturday for their second match in the group stages of the Euro.
In Group F, both the top two teams and the bottom two teams in the provisional standings will face off, while in Group E, Belgium will look to erase their poor start against a well-launched Romanian team. (Beirut time).
4:00 PM: Georgia vs. Czech Republic
Despite some chances, the Georgians did not manage the feat of defeating Turkey in the first match. But the men of the Frenchman Willy Sagnol, combative, showed some good offensive qualities. They will need to do even better against a Czech defense that proved particularly solid on the first day, enough to make the Portuguese hesitate (2-1). Quarterfinalists four times, including in the last Euro, the Czech Republic seems capable of advancing beyond the group stages, thanks especially to their forward Patrik Schick.
7:00 PM: Turkey vs. Portugal
In this remake of the Euro 2000 quarterfinal, will Portugal emerge victorious again? In what is the sixth and likely last Euro for Cristiano Ronaldo, the Seleçao players can rely on an impressive offensive arsenal. But they remained silent against the Czechs, with Francisco Conceiçao’s injury-time goal saving them from a slip-up.
The Turkish team also struggled to shake off Georgia (3-1). But their dominance and the magnificent goals behind Real Madrid’s rising star Arda Güler give hope for further progress. Backed by their diaspora, very present in the stands of the German stadiums, the Turks have the same goal as the Portuguese: to win and secure qualification for the Round of 16.
10:00 PM: Romania vs. Belgium
In Cologne, the Red Devils will face a Romanian team brimming with confidence, five days after their remarkable debut. Against a struggling Ukrainian team, Edward Iordanescu’s players demonstrated all their offensive qualities (3-0). Dennis Man, the Parma forward and double assist provider in that first match, will be particularly scrutinized. If successful, the Romanians will advance past the Euro group stage for the first time since 2000.
The Belgians, quarterfinalists in 2021, will have a tough task to make up for their initial stumble against modest Slovakia. Unbeaten since the 2022 World Cup, the Belgians are still “hungry,” assured their coach, Domenico Tedesco.
