Euro 2024’s first week ends with new records, historic victories, emerging talents
Arda Guler and teammates celebrate victory at the end of the 2024 European Football Championship (EURO 2024) Group F football match between Turkiye and Georgia, Dortmund, Germany, June 18, 2024. (AA Photo)
The group stage of Euro 2024, hosted in Germany, has kicked off with an exhilarating series of matches that have already set multiple records and showcased extraordinary performances, captivating football fans worldwide.
Arda Guler breaks Cristiano Ronaldo’s record
In a stunning feat, Arda Guler became the youngest player to score in his debut match at the European Championship. At just 19 years and 114 days old, he scored Türkiye’s second goal against Georgia, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s previous record of 19 years and 128 days.
Furthermore, Arda Guler has become the fastest player in Real Madrid’s history to reach 5 goals, signaling a bright future in the international football scene.
Historic opening match victory for Germany
Germany made a spectacular start to Euro 2024 with a record-breaking 5-1 victory over Scotland in the tournament’s opening match. This win set the record for the largest margin of victory in an opening match of the European Championships, surpassing Italy’s 3-0 win against Türkiye in Euro 2020. Florian Wirtz, at 21 years and 42 days, became the youngest German player to score in an opening match of the tournament.
Youngest manager, players in Euro 2024
Julian Nagelsmann, at 36 years and 327 days, became the youngest manager in the history of the European Championship, surpassing Srecko Katanec’s record set during Euro 2000. Meanwhile, Spain’s Lamine Yamal, aged 16 years and 338 days, became the youngest player to ever compete in the tournament, breaking the record previously held by Poland’s Kacper Kozlowski.
Fastest goal in Euro history comes in 2024
Albania’s Nedim Bajrami sets a new record for the fastest goal in European Championship history, scoring just 23 seconds into the match against Italy. This broke the previous record held by Dmitri Kirichenko, who scored in the 67th second of a match during Euro 2004.
Youngest captain, veteran stars of Euro 2024
Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai became the youngest captain in the history of the European Championships at 23 years and 234 days old. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the first player to participate in six European Championships, enhancing his status as the tournament’s most-capped player with 26 appearances and the top scorer with 14 goals.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s Pepe became the oldest player to compete in the tournament at 41 years and 113 days, surpassing Gabor Kiraly’s previous record.
High-scoring start in Euro 2024
The first 12 matches of Euro 2024, spread across six groups, have seen a total of 34 goals, averaging 2.84 goals per game. Germany’s impressive 5-goal haul against Scotland made them the highest-scoring team of the opening round.
Euro 2024 sees unprecedented ticket demand
Euro 2024 has shattered records for ticket demand, with over 50 million applications received for the tournament. Approximately 2.3 million out of the 2.7 million available tickets have been sold to the general public and team supporters, making it the most sought-after European Championship in history.
Turkish national football team’s European Football Championship journey
Euro 2008: Türkiye’s journey in 2008 was spectacular. The team showed resilience and determination, reaching the semi-finals. Memorable matches included a comeback against the Czech Republic, winning 3-2 after being down 2-0, and a dramatic victory over Croatia in the quarter-finals through a penalty shootout. Germany ended Türkiye’s run in the semi-finals, but their performance left an indelible mark on European football (SPORF, UEFA.com).
Euro 2016: The 2016 tournament was full of mixed emotions for Türkiye. Despite a promising squad, Türkiye struggled in the group stages. A crucial win against the Czech Republic provided hope, but it wasn’t enough to advance past the group stage, marking a disappointing end to their campaign.
Euro 2020: Delayed to 2021 because of the pandemic, Euro 2020 saw Türkiye with high expectations but facing tough competition. The team played against established squads, including Italy and Switzerland. Despite strong efforts, Türkiye failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Team market values of Georgia, Türkiye in 2024
Analyzing the team values, both in terms of market value and intrinsic qualities:
Georgia: The market value of the Georgian national team has seen a significant rise, reaching a combined total of $161 million. This increase reflects the growing talent and potential within their squad, with key players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, valued at $86 million, and Giorgi Mamardashvili, valued at $37,6 million, leading the way.
Türkiye: Türkiye’s team value remains robust with key players bringing substantial worth. Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan, Serie A) is valued at $48 million. Young talents like Arda Guler (Real Madrid, LaLiga) further bolster the team’s worth with his rising market value. Other notable players include Zeki Celik (AS Roma, Serie A) and Orkun Kokcu (Benfica, Primeira Liga), who add significant depth and skill to the team.
Vibrant Turkish diaspora in Germany rocks Euro 2024
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Euro 2024 has been the enthusiastic support from the Turkish diaspora in Germany. The stadiums have been awash with red and white, as Turkish fans turned out in large numbers to support their team.
This passionate support was evident when the iconic song “Olurum Türkiyem” (I would die for you my Türkiye) echoed through the stadium, symbolizing the deep-rooted connection and pride of the Turkish community in Germany. The significant Turkish population in Germany and the mutual respect and tolerance within the country were on full display.
Turkish footballers on international stages
The Turkish national team boasts several players who ply their trade in foreign leagues, bringing a wealth of experience and skill to the national team. Here are some key players:
Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan, Serie A): As the captain of the Turkish national team, Hakan Calhanoglu is a pivotal player known for his set-piece expertise and strong link-up play. His experience in Serie A has been invaluable to the national squad.
Arda Guler (Real Madrid, LaLiga): A rising star, Guler is one of the most exciting young talents in Euro 2024. His creativity, exquisite dribbling, and vision have made him a standout player for both Real Madrid and Türkiye.
Zeki Celik (AS Roma, Serie A): A reliable defender, Celik’s performances in Serie A have solidified his reputation as a strong and dependable player, contributing significantly to the national team’s defensive line.
Orkun Kokcu (Benfica, Primeira Liga): A talented midfielder, Kokcu’s playmaking abilities have been honed in the Portuguese league, where he has become a key player for Benfica. His vision and passing skills are crucial for Türkiye’s midfield.
Okay Yokuslu (West Bromwich Albion, Championship): Known for his defensive midfield capabilities, Yokuslu’s experience in the English leagues has added depth and strength to the Turkish squad.
