HALF-TIME UPDATE: GEORGIA 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
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The Czech Republic will be kicking themselves at the break after conceding a penalty in first-half stoppage time, leaving them with significant work to do in the second period.
Ivan Hasek's side were dominant for the opening 25 minutes, forcing Giorgi Mamardashvili to make a number of important saves to keep Georgia on level terms.
Adam Hlozek thought he had finally given his side a lead when he bundled the ball home after a long throw had caused havoc in the penalty area, but the goal was ultimately ruled out for a handball infringement.
The Czech Republic were then penalised for another handball, but crucially, this time it was at the opposite end of the pitch, allowing Georges Mikautadze to step up and dispatch his spot-kick to give his country a precious half-time lead.
Georgia are now just 45 minutes away from claiming their first win at a major tournament, and if they continue to play like they did in the closing stages of the first period then they have every chance of claiming all three points.
HALF-TIME PREDICTION: GEORGIA 2-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
Both pointless at the bottom of Group F, Georgia and Czech Republic aim to get off the mark at Euro 2024 when they meet on Saturday evening.
After both were beaten in their opening game, Hamburg hosts the nations' first encounter in any competition - and neither can afford to lose again.
Match preview
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Kicking off their first European Championship campaign in Dortmund, a spirited Georgia side put Turkey to the test throughout 90 pulsating minutes and a frantic stoppage-time finale.
Pulling them level after Mert Muldur's superb strike had put the Crescent-Stars in front, Georges Mikautadze scored his country's historic maiden goal at a major tournament, sending the Georgian fans into raptures.
In all, Willy Sagnol's side had 14 shots at goal - the most by any debutant since Austria in 2008 - but they were caught out twice more, including a late third for Turkey that resulted from goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili straying upfield in search of an equaliser.
Since the group stage was introduced, only two teams have lost their first match at the Euros but still progressed - Slovakia and Northern Ireland both did so in 2016 - so Georgia must now try to become the third.
Before meeting group favourites Portugal in their final group fixture, they will again turn to Mikautadze and star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for inspiration against the Czechs, who were also defeated in Tuesday's opener.
Odds of 750-1 were available on Georgia lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy this summer, highlighting their outsider status, but even one point this weekend would keep alive dreams of reaching the knockout phase.
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A draw would keep the Czech Republic's hopes intact too, but they will be unable to reach the last 16 if they are beaten and Turkey do not lose to Portugal a few hours later.
Despite scoring the opener via Lukas Provod's 62nd-minute strike, Ivan Hasek's side then let Portugal back into their first Group F fixture: an unfortunate own goal from Robin Hranac levelled matters in Leipzig, and with time running out, substitute Francisco Conceicao broke Czech hearts by bagging the Selecao's winner.
Though they came so close to taking a precious point, the Czech Republic completed fewer passes than any team in the first round of matches at Euro 2024, also managing only eight touches in the opposition box.
The 1996 runners-up - who also made the quarter-finals in two of their last three Euros - have now lost seven times in a dozen group matches since the 2008 finals, and one more setback could send them packing on Saturday.
A more positive approach will be expected against Georgia, and having arrived in Germany on a run of five straight wins, playing more modest opponents should result in a distinct change of emphasis.
Team News
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Following an impressive performance from his team despite defeat to Turkey, Willy Sagnol is unlikely to make many changes to Georgia's starting XI on Saturday afternoon.
Once again, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - his country's leading active scorer on 15 goals - will join Georges Mikautadze up front. The Napoli forward made the joint-most dribbles (10) and contested the most duels (20) of any player during the first round of group games.
Giorgi Kochorashvili, who plays his club football for Levante in the Spanish second tier, should continue in midfield following his bright start to the tournament: against Turkey, he ranked joint-first for touches in the opposition area (five), and top for completed passes (61), possession won (nine), interceptions (four) and fouls won (four), as well as setting up Mikautadze's goal.
The latter will now attempt to become the first man to score in his nations' first two European Championship matches since Gareth Bale dis so for Wales at Euro 2016.
Meanwhile, Cremonese centre-back Luka Lochoshvili would be a strong candidate if Sagnol decides to shake things up in defence; Zuriko Davitashvili offers a more offensive option out wide.
Patrik Schick is top goalscorer in the Czech Republic's squad, with 19, and after firing a blank on Tuesday, the Bayer Leverkusen striker will again try to build on his five-goal haul at Euro 2020.
As ever, influential West Ham United pair Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal will play key roles in Ivan Hasek's side - in central midfield and at right wing-back respectively.
Jindrich Stanek made seven saves against Portugal, which was the most of anyone throughout the opening round of group games and also the most by a Czech goalkeeper in any Euros match since Petr Cech in 2008 - incidentally, also versus Portugal.
The Slavia Prague stopper provides the Czechs' last line of defence, behind a likely back three of Ladislav Krejci, Tomas Holes and Robin Hranac.
Georgia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Dvali, Kashia, Kverkvelia; Kakabadze, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili, Chakvetadze, Tsitaishvili; Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze
Czech Republic possible starting lineup:
Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Soucek, Coufal, Barak, Provod, Doudera; Chytil, Schick
We say: Georgia 1-1 Czech Republic
Under pressure to win their second Group F game, the Czech Republic may find themselves caught out by an enterprising Georgia team in Hamburg.
Sagnol's side have little to lose and a certain amount of attacking flair in the final third, so there should be several chances for the underdogs to strike quickly on the counter.
They can claim an historic first point at the Euros, leaving their Czech counterparts in danger of an early exit.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
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