Thanks Georgia for making EURO better

CERTAIN DISCOMFORT …

First of all, this year's group stage has fewer goals. Only 81 goals were scored in 36 group stage matches, an average of 2.25 goals/match, while the EURO 2020 group stage (played in 2021 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic) had 94 goals, an average of 2.6 goals/match. This year's group stage had 13 draws, 4 of which were goalless, while the EURO 3 years ago had only 8 draws (of which 3 were goalless). The fact that teams shook hands or were simply satisfied with a draw in the final match reduces the appeal of the tournament.

Interesting phenomenon called Georgia

The inconsistent and unconvincing performance of the top candidates, from England, France, to strong teams like Belgium, or defending champion Italy, initially seemed to bring a certain "discomfort" to EURO 2024. Because it felt like no one was afraid of them anymore. During the entire group stage, when faced with these and other problems that could not be handled, it was clear that the strong teams listed above must have created a great disappointment. Because in any tournament, people still need big teams to show themselves, like a blockbuster movie always needs at least A-list actors and the most attractive script.

The brilliance of Spain, the only team to win all, and the performances of Austria, Türkiye and Portugal made the tournament less interesting and exciting. The drama in Group E, with all four teams finishing level on points, and Austria topping a group that included France and the Netherlands; the group stage was also marked by superb goals from Guler, Fabian Ruiz, Stanciu, Eriksen and Zaccagni.

SHINE IN A SPARKLE

But the most interesting point is the EURO journey of Georgia, the team with the lowest FIFA ranking of all the teams participating in the tournament, 74th. Coach Willy Sagnol's team did the unthinkable when they defeated Portugal 2-0 to reach the round of 16, in their first ever EURO history. It was also the only way for them to continue to stay in Germany, after losing 1-3 to Türkiye and drawing 1-1 with the Czech Republic. Before the match, Sagnol, who was with the French team to the 2006 World Cup final, was determined that the Georgian players would do everything possible to turn "the small chance into victory". And they did exactly as Sagnol promised, with the game in the advantage right from the start thanks to a goal in the 93rd second by Kvaratskhelia, the brightest star and idol of many Georgian fans.

C WAIT FOR MORE SHOCKS

When Mikautadze scored Georgia’s second goal midway through the second half, cementing the win and taking him to the top scorer’s table, the Georgian fans in Gelsenkirchen began to get excited. Big celebrations followed, outside the stadium and on the streets of this small industrial city in the Ruhr. The match against Spain loomed on the horizon. Spain were strong, as they had shown by winning all their group games. Fate had set the two opponents up for a rematch in the round of 16. It was Spain who had thrashed Georgia 7-1 in qualifying for EURO 2024. In that qualifier, Georgia had won just two of their eight games, both against minnows Cyprus. Now, when they meet again, Spain will surely look at Georgia in a very different light.

It will be a magical EURO if Georgia win in the last 16

The interesting thing is that Georgia reached EURO 2024 through a narrow play-off against the weak teams of the Nations League, defeating Luxembourg and then Greece on penalties. So, of course, defeating Portugal to reach the round of 16 is the biggest shock of EURO 2024 so far, and it is a great achievement for Georgia, a country of only 4 million people.

The initial success of the Georgian team is considered a success of UEFA itself in turning the Nations League into a playground for weak teams to get tickets through the play-offs. No team has taken advantage of this gift better than Georgia.

Georgia has become the name that makes EURO 2024 more attractive, in a general picture that is not too bright. Now the whole football world is waiting for them to create a shock at midnight on June 30 (early morning of July 1, Vietnam time).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cam-on-georgia-vi-da-lam-euro-hay-hon-185240628204937357.htm