Every major competition has its heroes, stories that remain for all time, and one such, one that will mark the history of this sport was written by a debutant, a national team that no one had even seen in Germany until March...
Georgia created a miracle, a sensation... The selection of a great player, and it is increasingly likely a great coach, Vilija Sanjola flew into history - with a 2:0 win against Portugal secured a place in the round of 16 of the European Championship.
At the first big competition in which this land from the Black Sea was found.
It is true that the result of the match in Gelsenkirchen was irrelevant for Portugal, it is also true that Roberto Martinez combined the team, but nothing can diminish the great success of Georgia.
On the wings of Hviča Kvarackelija, a master who is born once in 50 years, the "crusaders" showed Cristiano Ronaldo and his friends from the start whose night this would be...
The Napoli maestro roared through the defense of the "Selesao" and after 92 seconds, assisted by George Mikautadze, shook Diogo Košta's net - Georgia's dream then began to live shyly.
Just like in the entire championship, Sanjol's team knew how to suffer, to defend, but at the same time to be incredibly concrete, dangerous...
And while Portugal tried to equalize and make Hungary happy, which has been waiting for several days to find out if it will be among the best third-placed teams, Georgia decided to put an end to the most beautiful story in its history.
Antonio Silva clumsily fouled Luka Lokoshvili in his own penalty area, and Mikautadze placed the ball on the white spot... And he was not mistaken - it was the second goal from the penalty, and the third in the tournament of the best scorer of the Euros.
It was only the 57th minute, but already then it was felt that nothing could spoil Georgia's celebration...
The team that was sent off to the European Championship by a half-empty stadium near Gorica deserves a bow to the floor... History is written, the next challenge is the most difficult possible at the moment - Spain in the round of 16, but the most attractive rival of the tournament so far is the real reward for Sanjol and his warriors, a match they should enjoy.
Turkey "broke" tough Czech Republic and scheduled a duel with Austria
At the same time, in the north of Germany, Turkey and the Czech Republic fought for the round of 16, and the match in Hamburg directed the drama.
The Czechs knew that only a victory would bring them the continuation of their dream at the Euros, and already after 20 minutes, hell awaited them on that road when Antonin Barak received the second yellow card of the match.
A draw suited Turkey, so as expected, they didn't risk much, but they "charged" the player more in the 51st minute when captain Hakan Calhanoglu scored.
It seemed then that Ivan Hasek's team did not even have the strength to threaten, but the Czechs once again reminded why they are one of the symbols of the Euros...
With great desire and through Tomas Souček, they reached 1:1, and then gave everything to try to achieve a great victory...
They did not succeed, and in the 94th minute, Dženk Tosun put an end to this match with a beautiful goal for 2:1 and scheduled a clash with Austria in the round of XNUMX.
The Czech Republic did not disappoint in any match, but too many failures followed in this championship.
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