Portugal
Portugal were one of Europe’s biggest underachievers for many years with a third-place finish at the 1966 World Cup their highest point in international football.
That perspective about A Seleção das Quinas has changed over the last ten years as they claimed their first international glories following the wins at Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League three years later.
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Legendary forward and all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo was a huge part of those triumphs and the Al Nassr star is back in Germany hoping to inspire Portugal to another memorable outing.
Portugal are one of the favourites to lift Euro 2024 after reaching the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022 and winning all their ten qualifying matches for this tournament, scoring an astonishing 36 goals and conceding only two.
All their biggest stars – Bernardo Silva, João Félix, Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes, Gonçalo Ramos – and they arrive in good form.
They will be too much to handle in Group F and will only find their equals in the knockout round.
Turkey
Turkey won the hearts of many neutrals when they reached the semifinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 European Championships.
However, it has been downhill for the Crescent-Stars since those glory days as they have failed to qualify for the last five editions of the Mundial and have won just one match at the Euros in 12 years.
They did not make it past the group stage in their last two attempts and arrive for Germany 2024 having not won any of their last five games. That poor run also includes a 6-1 defeat to Austria in March.
However, head coach Vincenzo Montella has a talented squad at his disposal with captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu one of Europe’s best at his position. Borussia Dortmund’s Salih Özcan and Juventus youngster Kenan Yıldız, who scored in their thrilling 3-2 win over Germany in November, could be instrumental.
However, the result of Turkey’s first match against debutants Georgia will be crucial to their overall outing at the Euros.
Georgia
Qualifying for Euro 2024 is already a significant achievement for Georgia, who are making an appearance at a major international tournament.
The Georgians are the reason why Euro 2004 winners Greece are not in Germany, having defeated them on penalties in the final playoffs.
Former France international Willy Sagnol is the head coach while Napoli playmaker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is their most talented player.
However, the Crusaders will need more than just talent and a large dose of luck to make an impression in Germany.
Georgia have never beaten Portugal, have one win in five games against Turkey, and are meeting the Czechs for the first time.
It will take a miracle to see them advance beyond Group F. In football, as in life generally, miracles do happen sometimes, right?
Czech Republic
Runners-up at the 1996 European Championships, the Czech Republic have qualified for every edition of the continental showpiece since the split of Czechoslovakia.
After making the quarterfinals at Euro 2020, Czech will target a repeat or better performance in Germany.
In Bayer Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick, West Ham United’s Tomáš Souček, and Fiorentina’s Antonín Barák, manager Ivan Hašek will quietly believe he has enough talent in his squad to do just that.
An opening match against favourites Portugal is never an ideal way to start a major tournament but it could be a blessing in disguise if the Czechs can tame their illustrious foes.
A positive result is not so far-fetched for an inform Czech side that has won each of their last five matches, including a 7-1 win over Malta.
Czech will bank on their experience at this level to grab one of the two automatic qualifying tickets from Group F.
Likely Group F winners: Portugal, Czech Republic
Likely third-place qualifier: Turkey
