When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups?
Czech Republic and Turkey meet in their Third Group F match at UEFA EURO 2024.
Czech Republic and Turkey at a glance
When: Wednesday 27 June (03:00 GMT+8 kick-off)
Where: Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Group F Matchday 3
What do you need to know?
These sides met on Matchday 3 at EURO 2008 and EURO 2016, and on both occasions, Turkey came out on top. This time, Vincenzo Montella’s men only need to draw to eliminate Czech Republic from the competition, with Ivan Hašek’s team having taken just one point from their opening two games while Turkey are second in the section with three.
However, an impressive second-half resurgence against Georgia has given Czech Republic a bit of momentum, whereas Turkey’s youthful side have been a little shaken by a comprehensive defeat by Portugal. Czech Republic’s all-time top scorer Patrik Schick may not be available, but captain Tomáš Souček will lead by powerful example from midfield. On big occasions like this, experience could count for a lot.
Possible line-ups
Czech Republic: Staněk; Holeš, Hranáč, Krejčí; Coufal, Souček, Barák, Provod, Douděra; Hložek, Chytil
Misses next match if booked: Coufal, Holeš, Jurásek, Provod, Schick, Souček
Turkey: Altay Bayındır; Mert Müldür, Merih Demiral, Kaan Ayhan, Ferdi Kadıoğlu; İsmail Yüksek, Hakan Çalhanoğlu; İrfan Can Kahveci, Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız; Barış Alper Yılmaz
Suspended: Abdülkerim Bardakcı
Misses next match if booked: Samet Akaydin, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Zeki Çelik
Form guide
Czech Republic:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DLWWWW
Turkey:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): LWLDLL
Expert predictions
Ondřej Zlámal, Czech Republic reporter
After a narrow loss to Portugal and the draw with Georgia, Czech Republic need goals and points (plural). They have to repeat all the positives from the second game – the dominance, the attacking football, the dangerous crosses. And they need to eliminate the big negative – failure to take their chances. The absence of Schick is a blow, necessitating a shake-up on the left. The first goal in Hamburg will be crucial.
Aydin Güvenir, Turkey reporter
Turkey did not expect the Portugal game to be an easy win, but the manner of the defeat was a blow to morale. Montella made some tactical changes from the opening win against Georgia, and we can expect more for the Czech Republic game. A draw will be enough for Turkey to reach the last 16, but this is not a team set up to cede possession and get behind the ball. Their primary goal will be to win and control possession.
What the coaches say
Ivan Hašek, Czech Republic coach: “I am glad that I have almost all my players ready for the game. I feel positive energy from the team, even from the players who have not played that much. They are another reason why I want us to qualify so we can give them another chance to get involved.Turkey have superb individual quality. With their new Italian coach, they have added a more tactical approach and discipline. Some of their guys play for world-class clubs.”
Vincenzo Montella, Turkey coach: “At times we lacked a bit of boldness [against Portugal], but that happens with players who are inexperienced on the finals stage. We were punished harshly against Portugal, but we need to be positive and enjoy the many good things we did. We need to be ready for the Czech Republic game, when we can put everything on the line.”