Euro 2024 Groups: Draw and Analysis for the Upcoming Tournament
Istanbul – The groups for the 17th edition of the European Football Championship, to be held in June 2024, have been drawn, setting the stage for exciting matchups.
The Turkish National Team, under the guidance of Italian coach Vincenzo Montella, will participate in the championship for the fifth time and will compete in Group F.
Interestingly, Turkey finds itself in the same group as Portugal and Czechia, reminiscent of Euro 2008. The final team in Turkey’s group will be determined by the Play-Off C path (featuring Georgia vs. Luxembourg, and Greece vs. Kazakhstan pairings).
Turkey’s schedule includes their first match on June 18th at Allianz Arena against the play-off winner, followed by a game against Portugal on June 22nd, and concluding the group stage against Czechia on June 26th.
National Team coach Vincenzo Montella commented on the draw, stating, “From this point forward, we will be studying our opponents. This draw is being compared to EURO 2008, but expectations and everything else can be different. Back then, Turkey entered from the 4th pot. We all have seen that unexpected things can happen here.” He alluded to a sense of unfinished business, highlighting the Euro 2008 rematch scenario between Turkey, Czechia, and Portugal.
Turkish football fans enthusiastically watching Euro 2016 matches
Portugal, who won all their matches in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, have a dominant record against Turkey, winning 7 out of 9 encounters, with Turkey winning only twice.
Matches against Czechia have been more balanced. In their history, Turkey has won five matches, lost five, and drawn one. In Euro 2008, Turkey lost their first group match 2-0 to Portugal but then progressed from the groups by defeating Switzerland and Czechia, both with a score of 3-2.
The Turkish National Team advanced past Croatia in the quarter-finals on penalties in Euro 2008, before narrowly losing to Germany 3-2 in the semi-finals.
How are the other groups shaping up for Euro 2024 qualifiers?
In Group A, hosts Germany will face Hungary, who were unbeaten in their qualifying campaign, Scotland, and Switzerland. Group B sees Spain, also three-time European champions, pitted against Albania, who were a surprise package in qualifying by topping their group ahead of Czechia and Poland, alongside Croatia and Italy. This sets up a particularly challenging group.
England, another team unbeaten in qualifiers, finds themselves in Group C with Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia, all vying for a spot in the round of 16. England, considered the birthplace of football, will be eager to lift their first European Championship trophy.
Group D consists of France, Austria, Netherlands, and a team from Play-off Path A. Group E will feature Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, and a team emerging from Play-off Path B. These Euro 2024 qualifying groups promise a diverse range of competitive matches.
Turkey’s Historical Performance in the European Championship
Turkey has participated in the European Championship five times prior to Euro 2024. Their first appearance was at Euro 1996 under Fatih Terim, and most recently at Euro 2020 under Şenol Güneş, where they unfortunately lost all their matches.
Turkey’s most significant achievement was at Euro 2008. Again led by Fatih Terim, the national team progressed through dramatic late victories against Switzerland and Czechia, and a quarter-final win against Croatia decided by penalties after an extra-time goal. They were eventually narrowly defeated by Germany in the semi-finals after conceding a late goal in extra time.
In Euro 2016, held in France, Turkey was eliminated in the group stage, losing to Croatia and Spain and accumulating only three points from three matches. The Euro 2024 Elemeleri Gruplar stage will be another opportunity for Turkey to build on their past experiences and aim for a deeper run in the tournament.