Türkiye advances to Euro 2024 round of 16 with historic victory over Czechia

Türkiye’s national football team triumphed over the Czechia with a 2-1 victory in their final Group F match at Euro 2024 on Wednesday, advancing to the Round of 16. This marks a significant milestone for Türkiye, with head coach Vincenzo Montella highlighting the achievement as a historic moment.

The game at Volksparkstadion saw Türkiye, the youngest team in the group, secure their advancement for the first time in many years. “We’ve made history by advancing from our group,” Montella stated in the post-match press conference. He expressed gratitude to his team and fans, emphasizing the hard work that led to this success. Montella also mentioned the team’s focus on their next goal, aiming to continue their historic journey in the tournament.

The match itself was a testament to Türkiye’s resilience. Playing with an extra man for much of the game, Türkiye initially struggled to make the most of this advantage. The Czechia managed to equalize, but Türkiye quickly regained the lead. Montella pointed out a foul on the Turkish goalkeeper during the Czech goal but praised his team for their overall performance despite the pressure they faced leading up to the match.

Montella also addressed the challenges posed by referee decisions, with several yellow cards handed out during the game. Notably, Hakan Calhanoglu, the team captain, received a yellow card for dissent, which Montella felt was unjust. This means Calhanoglu will miss the next match, adding to the team’s challenges.

Looking ahead, Montella assessed Türkiye’s next opponent, Austria, who emerged as group leaders. He noted Austria’s organization, physical fitness, and rapid play, indicating a tough match ahead. “This is a very high level of competition, and Austria has shown they are a formidable team,” Montella said.

Barıs Alper Yilmaz, named the player of the match, echoed Montella’s sentiments. “We achieved our goal of advancing from the group, and now we set new targets,” Yılmaz said. He dismissed notions of seeking revenge for a previous heavy defeat to Austria, focusing instead on the team’s step-by-step approach to their campaign.

Türkiye’s historic advance to the knockout stages of EURO 2024 has brought renewed excitement and hope, as the young team looks to build on their success and continue their journey in the tournament.