Türkiye takes field to qualify for last 16 at Euro 2024

Türkiye’s national football team is gearing up for a high-stakes clash against the Czech Republic in their final Group F match of Euro 2024.

Currently sitting behind group leader Portugal with three points, a win or draw would secure a runner-up position for Türkiye and a place in the knockout stage.

The match, taking place at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Thursday, holds immense importance for the Turkish squad.

Scenario 1: Victory or draw (most favorable):

A win or draw secures Türkiye’s spot in the knockout stages as Group F runners-up. They’ll then face Austria in the next round.

Scenario 2: Loss, but Portugal wins (possible qualification):

Even with a loss to the Czech Republic, Türkiye can still qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams, provided Portugal defeats Georgia. In this scenario, their opponents in the next round would be either England or Spain, two European powerhouses.

Scenario 3: Loss, and Portugal loses (elimination):

A loss combined with a Portugal defeat against Georgia eliminates Türkiye from the tournament.

This final Group F match promises a nail-biting conclusion. Türkiye needs to fight for at least a draw to secure their place in the knockout stages.

Possible 11s:

In goal, Ugurcan Cakir is set to return to the line-up. While in defense Montella will put his trust in Mert Muldur, Samet Akaydin, Merih Demiral and Ferdi Kadioglu.

Meanwhile, in the midfield, some changes are expected with Türkiye lining up a more defense-minded shape with Ismail Yuksek, Salih Ozcan alongside the experienced Hakan Calhanoglu.

Up front, the young star Arda Guler will come back into the first XI after an injury scare, alongside Kenan Yildiz and Baris Alper Yilmaz.

Czech Republic might counter with a line-up of Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Holes, Jindrich Stanek, Robin Hranac, Ladislav Krejci, Tomas Soucek, Lukas Provod, David Doudera, Antonin Barak, Adam Hlozek and Mojmir Chytil.