Georgia v Czech Republic: Euro 2024 – live | Euro 2024

18 min Koufal received a heavy card for a foul on Kvaratzhelia. I’m not even sure it’s foul.

Also, where did the last five minutes go?

13 min Provod’s long-range deflected shot was comfortably saved by Mamardashvili. This is already, like Georgia’s first game, a great advertisement for the 24-team Euros.

11 min Replays show that it was a really difficult decision for the referee and indeed VAR. Krejci appeared to fall into Davitashvili, but with enough clumsiness that the referee couldn’t be sure it was a foul.

My gut tells me it was a foul anyway, but I understand why it wasn’t called.

10 minutes: Georgia penalty appeal! The impressive Davitashvili gets the wrong side of Kreitzl in the area and looks to be brought down, but the referee waves on! I would like to see it again.

10 min Kvaratskhelia gives the world a quick injection of joy with a wonderful piece of skill, flicking the ball over Coufal and charging down the left.

10 min “Once again I have to write with the obligatory ‘Fox can just fuck each other'” email, wrote Joe Pearson, although he didn’t say a feck. “Another 9am game ignored. I hate them so much. But I love you man! Keep up the good work!”

Any port during a storm.

9 min A defensive header was cleared on the edge of the box by Schick, whose shot was desperately and brilliantly blocked by Quirkvelia.

9 min This won’t end 0-0.

8 min The game continues to swing from one end to the other. Czerny calls for a penalty when his shot hits a defender’s arm, but it’s right next to him.

4 min The lively Davitashvili bursts into the area with purpose, forcing Hranats to run into and take a corner. It’s exciting stuff.

4 min A cross from the left was met by Schick, whose powerful header was cleared by the diving Mamardashvili. Another pretty good save, though you’d expect him to.

3 min Double save by Mamardashvili! The first chances fall on Czech Republic. A long throw from the right was allowed to bounce to Hlozek, whose low shot was cleared by Mamardashvili. The ball ricocheted around the area and then Mamardashvili jumped to block Schick’s follow-up.

2 min Georgia got off to a flying start, an increasingly rare sight these days and therefore all the more appealing.

1 minute Peep Peep! Georgia run from right to left as we watch. This can be a lot of fun.

The hymns

The Georgia players, some with their eyes closed, sing their anthem as if it’s the last time they have the privilege. As someone who has never experienced the true joy of patriotism, it’s almost mind-numbing.

Here are the players, everyone wears pretty gorgeous sets. The Czech Republic is hereand it’s Georgia’s.

Georgia’s two forwards, Georges Mikautadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, both bowed out injured in the warm-up. There is still no suggestion that they will miss the game, but it is not ideal preparation.

And it’s just as good a piece on Czech Republic goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek, once of Everton and Hyde United.

This is a really nice piece from earlier in the year on David Webb, Georgia Assistant Manager.

Webb wanted to build team spirit by having the players tell each other personal stories. He talks about playing attacking football, with “measured risks and passion, desire and intensity”. He talks about bravery and actor Beth Harmon portraying how the chess pieces fall into place in the Netflix series Queen’s Gambit.

Tournament Director Philip Lahm for the young guns of Germany

[Florian] Wirtz has an excellent first touch, changes pace adeptly and has great positional feel on the field; just look at his goal against scotland.

[Jamal] Musiala is virtually impossible to get off the ball and can beat an opponent from the spot. When opposing teams have parked the bus and lined up their players in front of goal, he is able to find solutions. He was named man of the match in the first game and scored for the second game in a row against Hungary.

This is the last day of the second round of group matches, and also the last of the 14:00 kick-offs in this tournament. Life moves pretty fast, huh.

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