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In a thrilling start to Group F, Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1 in a match that delivered intense action and stunning goals, particularly from Real Madrid’s rising star, Arda Guler. The game, held on Tuesday afternoon, showcased the high stakes and high energy of the European Championship.
A Clash of David and Goliath
The match was a classic ‘David versus Goliath’ encounter, pitting the most populous nation in the competition, Turkey with its 84 million inhabitants, against one of the smallest, Georgia, which has nearly four million people. This game marked Georgia’s debut in the European Championship finals, a significant milestone for the Caucasian nation.
Georgia’s journey to the Euros was remarkable, having qualified through the Nations League by defeating Luxembourg and Greece in the playoffs. Managed by former French international Willy Sagnol, Georgia relied on collective solidarity and a tightly-knit 5-3-2 formation, aiming to capitalize on counterattacks.
Turkey, on the other hand, took control of possession from the outset. Their more experienced squad, featuring players like Kaan Ayhan and Mert Muldur, looked dangerous early on. Ayhan nearly opened the scoring at ten minutes with a powerful strike that hit the base of the right post of Valencia’s goalkeeper Mamardashvili.
Turkey’s Early Dominance
Turkey’s pressure paid off in the 25th minute when Fenerbahçe’s Mert Mulder unleashed a spectacular volley from outside the box, finding the back of the net. Just a minute later, Kenan Yildiz had the ball in the Georgian net again, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Despite Turkey’s dominance, Georgia struck back in the 32nd minute with their first-ever goal in the European Championship. Levante’s Kochorashvili sent a low cross into the box, which Metz forward Georges Mikautadze coolly converted. Mikautadze almost doubled his tally moments later, but his close-range effort missed by inches.
Second Half Brilliance
The second half saw Turkey maintain possession cautiously, while Georgia awaited opportunities to exploit Turkish errors. The game remained tense until the 74th minute when the first substitution was made. The decisive moment came from Arda Guler in the 80th minute. The young Real Madrid midfielder, given time and space, fired a precise shot into the top right corner of the Georgian goal, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Georgia nearly equalized in the 89th minute when Kochorashvili’s shot hit the crossbar. In stoppage time, Georgia hit the post again after a slight deflection from Turkish goalkeeper Gunok, and Samet Akaydin made a crucial goal-line clearance, celebrating it as if it were a goal.
Sealing the Victory
In the dying moments, with Georgian goalkeeper Mamardashvili joining the attack for a corner, Turkey launched a counter-attack. Akturkoglu sealed the victory with a strike into an empty net, concluding the match at 3-1. The Turkish diaspora in Dortmund celebrated wildly, while the Georgian players and fans were left heartbroken.
Star of the Match: Arda Guler
Though not the outright man of the match, Arda Guler’s contribution was crucial. His extraordinary goal and creative play were vital in securing Turkey’s victory against a daring Georgian side. Guler’s performance highlighted his potential and importance to the Turkish squad.
In summary, Turkey’s win against Georgia in the Group F opener of Euro 2024 was a match to remember, filled with drama, skill, and memorable moments. The result sets the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.