Euro 2024 Group F Preview: Ronaldo’s Portugal Paired in Competitive Pool of Turkey, Georgia & Czech

• Portugal will look to give Cristiano Ronaldo a befitting farewell in what appears to be his final European Championship
• The 39-year-old, holder of numerous records in the competition, will be making an unprecedented sixth appearance
• He will come up against 1976 champions, the Czech Republic, Arda Guler's Turkey and debutants Georgia in their Group F

Portugal enters the 2024 UEFA European Championship as one of the favourites, with much attention on Cristiano Ronaldo's role in Roberto Martinez's side.

However, the Selecao must navigate past challenging Group F opponents to achieve their ambitions in Germany.

Turkey, boasting teen sensation Arda Guler, are aiming to replicate their 2008 semi-final run, while the Czech Republic and debutant, Georgia, will seek to make their mark in a competitive group.

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Sports Brief offers a comprehensive analysis of each team in Group F and their upcoming matches.

Additionally, check out our previews for Groups A, B, C, D, and, E.

Euro 2024 Group F Fixtures

18/06: Turkey vs Georgia

18/06: Portugal vs Czech Republic

22/06: Georgia vs Czech Republic

22/06: Turkey vs Portugal

26/06: Georgia vs Portugal

26/06: Czech Republic vs Turkey.

Euro 2024 Group F Preview

Turkey

Best finish: Semi-finals (2008)

Euro 2020: Group stages

Turkey enters their sixth European Championship, marking the first time they've qualified for three consecutive editions.

Vincenzo Montella will be the first non-Turkish head coach to lead the Crescent Stars at a major tournament since fellow Italian, Sandro Puppo, at the 1954 World Cup.

The former AC Milan manager aims to guide them deep into the competition in Germany. However, recent tournaments have not been favourable for Turkey.

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They will look to Hakan Çalhanoğlu for inspiration, whom Montella describes as the 'No. 1 midfielder in the world', per Football Italia.

Turkey has lost six of their last seven UEFA Euro matches (W1) and has kept only one clean sheet in their last 12 tournament games, a 2-0 group-stage win against the Czech Republic at Euro 2016.

Georgia

Best finish: N/A

Euro 2020: Did not qualify

Georgia will make its debut as an independent country in a major international tournament at Euro 2024.

After defeating Greece in the play-offs, the Crusaders are the only first-time participants in this year's competition.

FIFA ranks them lowest among the contenders, and they haven’t won against any of the 23 sides in Germany since a 1-0 victory over Scotland in 2015.

With just three players in Europe’s top five leagues, Georgia will rely heavily on Napoli forward, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a creative force as a second striker, and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

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Despite being underdogs in Group F, they shouldn't be underestimated.

Portugal

Best finish: Winners (2016)

Euro 2020: Round of 16

Portugal’s squad is headlined by an enviable, formidable attack.

Roberto Martinez can choose from stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, and Pedro Neto.

The Selecao are entering their ninth Euros, maintaining an unbroken streak of reaching the knockout stages since 1996, having never failed to advance from the group stage.

Portugal was flawless in qualifying for Euro 2024, winning all 10 games, scoring the most goals (36), and boasting the best defensive record (two goals conceded), Eurosport reports.

However, Martinez faces the tough decision of starting or benching the 39-year-old Ronaldo, who holds numerous Euro records and scored twice in Portugal's final warm-up game.

Regardless, the 2016 champions will be expected to navigate past the group stages.

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Czech Republic

Best finish: Winners (1976)

Euro 2020: Quarter-finals

The Czech Republic is no stranger to the Euros, marking their 11th appearance, including their time as Czechoslovakia.

They were European champions in 1976.

Since reaching the final in 1996, the Czech Republic (or Czechia) has alternated between advancing to the knockout phase and exiting in the group stage.

They aim to break this pattern in Germany, having reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2020.

Patrik Schick shone in the previous edition, scoring five of the team’s six goals and becoming the second Czech player, after Milan Baros in 2004, to be the top scorer at a single Euros edition.

Why Ronaldo could win Euro 2024 top scorer?

CR7 is set to lead Portugal's attack at Euro 2024 in Germany and will make a record-setting sixth appearance in the European Championship, having previously won the title in 2016.

He is a strong contender for the Golden Boot at Euro 2024, just as he was in the last edition. Sports Brief has outlined five reasons why Ronaldo could be a Euro top scorer once again.