Georgia Capable of Surprising in Debut at Euro 2024
Georgia are the only country at Euro 2024 to make their debut in the tournament after beating Greece on penalties in the playoffs. Expectations are not high for Georgia – they are the longest shot to win Group F at +1600 according to the latest soccer odds.
With No Pressure, Could Georgia Surprise in Group F?
They were the only team to qualify for the tournament after posting a negative goal difference in their group. Georgia recorded a goal difference of -6 and finished fourth out of five teams behind Spain, Scotland and Norway, but it qualified for the playoffs via the Nations League.
Manager Willy Sagnol will be the first ever Frenchman to manage a foreign nation at a European Championship. Sagnol earned 58 caps for France between 2000 and 2008, losing just one of his 12 appearances at major tournaments
Georgia are the clear outsiders in Group F, which also has Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic. Still, one shock win could be enough to qualify for the knockout stages as one of the best third-place teams.
Without a strong domestic club competition, Sagnol’s initial squad for Euro 2024 contained 26 players from teams in 17 different countries. Since independence, Georgia has produced talented players but rarely enough at one time for a truly competitive national team.
Just reaching the finals of Euro 2024 represents major success for Georgia but don’t expect them to simply roll over when they take their place at continental football’s top table for the first time this summer.
🇬🇪Kvaratskhelia, Mamardashvili and co. arrive in Austria for Georgia’s training camp 📍🇦🇹
📽️https://t.co/5J5N0LC6lD pic.twitter.com/kgRmbzDiS3
— Georgian Footy (@GeorgianFooty) June 1, 2024
The Black Sea country will become the lowest-ranked nation to ever compete at the European Championships, currently occupying 85th place in the FIFA World Rankings. Sagnol will be expecting his side to put up stiff resistance and they have the potential to bloody the noses of their Group F opponents.
Georgia’s hopes of progressing to the last 16 are likely to hinge on their match in the middle of their group-stage schedule with the Czech Republic. They are favorites to finish last in the group, priced at -200 according to the latest soccer odds
Kvaratskhelia is Talisman for Georgia
Georgia’s hopes of exceeding expectations at Euro 2024 will rest on the shoulders of 23-year-old star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Only Erling Haaland and Scott McTominay scored more Group A goals in qualifying than the Georgian player, who netted four times and chipped in with one assist for good measure.
It could also pay to side with Georgia’s most famous footballing export in the soccer player props markets. Kvaratskhelia is never afraid to let fly, having ranked joint-third across all of the players in qualifying for attempted shots on goal, averaging 3.52 per 90.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a menace for the opposition 😮💨⚡️
pic.twitter.com/eTJgdBsMy8— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) March 13, 2024
A run to the knockouts would be sensational for Georgia in their first showing at the Euros. They are in with the chance of a best third-place spot on offer, if they can pick up around three points, in a group with only one household name.
Nevertheless, this promises to be the summer of a lifetime for those at home in the former Soviet republic. After a brush with Luxembourg in the playoff semifinal, many expected Greece to progress, only for the Georgians to come out on top following a penalty shootout.
This youthful squad is highlighted by goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, winger Zuriko Davitashvili, midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze and forwards Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze. They’re all 24 years old or younger.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
Question of the Day
Who will score the most goals for Georgia at the Euro 2024?
Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the undisputed superstar of this group, capable of a match-winning moment, and we expect him to score at least two goals on his own during the three games Georgia will play in the group stages.
Kvaratskhelia has netted 24 goals in 81 appearances. He also emerged as the nation’s leading scorer in their celebrated Euro 2024 qualifying, finding the back of the net four times.
