It is a day full of uncertainty, bound to bring disappointment for some, but also a day that will seal the group stage of this Euro 2024, with all the qualifiers, including the best third-placed teams, to be determined. On Wednesday, Groups E and F will deliver their verdicts, with four matches on the schedule. At 7 PM, in the incredible Group E (in which all teams have three points after two matches), Belgium will face Ukraine while Slovakia takes on Romania.
Misfortune awaits the losers in this group, where the last-placed team could potentially have more points than some of the best third-placed teams. To be certain, we will have to wait for the outcome of Group F, whose two final matches will start at 10 PM. Already qualified and assured of the first place, Portugal will play against Georgia, who can still dream of a historic qualification. In the other match, Turkey will look to recover against the Czech Republic after their heavy defeat to Portugal.
7:00 PM: Ukraine vs. Belgium
As mentioned, Group E is completely crazy. After two match days, all teams have three points and can either qualify or be eliminated. In this context, the clash between Ukraine and Belgium, which was imagined before the start of the competition as a final for the top spot in this group, takes on even more importance. Between the Ukrainians, who were surprised in the first match by Romania before recovering against Slovakia, and the Red Devils, who were surprised in the first match by Slovakia before bouncing back against Romania, it promises to be an uncertain clash, although the Belgians have a slight edge. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku's teammates are coming off a complete and encouraging performance against Romania and seem more well-rounded than Ukraine.
7:00 PM: Slovakia vs. Romania
On paper, a Slovakia-Romania match might not seem thrilling. And yet, since the start of the Euro, the Romanians have been one of the tournament's collective sensations. Impressive winners against Ukraine (3-0) in the opener, they eventually cracked against Belgium but only after a fierce battle. Against Slovakia, the current leaders of Group E need a victory to secure their spot in the Round of 16 and hope to retain the top spot in the group. In case of a draw, they will at worst be one of the best third-placed teams. However, if they lose, it is Slovakia who will continue the adventure, while Romania's fate will hang in the balance.
10:00 PM: Czech Republic vs. Turkey
In Group F, Turkey will have more leeway against their evening opponents, the Czech Republic. The Turks have three points going into the match, compared to just one point for the Czechs. The latter must win to qualify, while a draw will suffice for Turkey. However, the teammates of young prodigy Arda Güler need to make up for the heavy defeat against Portugal. Nothing like a victory to achieve that.
10:00 PM: Georgia vs. Portugal
In their first participation in a major competition, Georgia is showing no signs of nerves, advancing step by step. Despite the defeat against Turkey (3-1) in their first match, the men led by French coach Willy Sagnol scored their first goal in the Euro. In the following match against the Czech Republic, they earned their first point by drawing. The next step for the Crusaders (their nickname) is logically their first victory... But this time, they face Portugal. However, hope remains for stars Georges Mikautadze (FC Metz), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Naples), and their teammates. Besides their underdog status, playing without pressure as just being in the Euro is already a victory for them, the Georgians face a Portuguese team that is not only already qualified but potentially less motivated since they are assured of first place. So, will the surprising Georgia achieve the double feat of beating Portugal and qualifying for the Round of 16?
Misfortune awaits the losers in this group, where the last-placed team could potentially have more points than some of the best third-placed teams. To be certain, we will have to wait for the outcome of Group F, whose two final matches will start at 10 PM. Already qualified and assured of the first place, Portugal will play against Georgia, who can still dream of a historic qualification. In the other match, Turkey will look to recover against the Czech Republic after their heavy defeat to Portugal.
7:00 PM: Ukraine vs. Belgium
As mentioned, Group E is completely crazy. After two match days, all teams have three points and can either qualify or be eliminated. In this context, the clash between Ukraine and Belgium, which was imagined before the start of the competition as a final for the top spot in this group, takes on even more importance. Between the Ukrainians, who were surprised in the first match by Romania before recovering against Slovakia, and the Red Devils, who were surprised in the first match by Slovakia before bouncing back against Romania, it promises to be an uncertain clash, although the Belgians have a slight edge. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku's teammates are coming off a complete and encouraging performance against Romania and seem more well-rounded than Ukraine.
7:00 PM: Slovakia vs. Romania
On paper, a Slovakia-Romania match might not seem thrilling. And yet, since the start of the Euro, the Romanians have been one of the tournament's collective sensations. Impressive winners against Ukraine (3-0) in the opener, they eventually cracked against Belgium but only after a fierce battle. Against Slovakia, the current leaders of Group E need a victory to secure their spot in the Round of 16 and hope to retain the top spot in the group. In case of a draw, they will at worst be one of the best third-placed teams. However, if they lose, it is Slovakia who will continue the adventure, while Romania's fate will hang in the balance.
10:00 PM: Czech Republic vs. Turkey
In Group F, Turkey will have more leeway against their evening opponents, the Czech Republic. The Turks have three points going into the match, compared to just one point for the Czechs. The latter must win to qualify, while a draw will suffice for Turkey. However, the teammates of young prodigy Arda Güler need to make up for the heavy defeat against Portugal. Nothing like a victory to achieve that.
10:00 PM: Georgia vs. Portugal
In their first participation in a major competition, Georgia is showing no signs of nerves, advancing step by step. Despite the defeat against Turkey (3-1) in their first match, the men led by French coach Willy Sagnol scored their first goal in the Euro. In the following match against the Czech Republic, they earned their first point by drawing. The next step for the Crusaders (their nickname) is logically their first victory... But this time, they face Portugal. However, hope remains for stars Georges Mikautadze (FC Metz), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Naples), and their teammates. Besides their underdog status, playing without pressure as just being in the Euro is already a victory for them, the Georgians face a Portuguese team that is not only already qualified but potentially less motivated since they are assured of first place. So, will the surprising Georgia achieve the double feat of beating Portugal and qualifying for the Round of 16?
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