Georgia’s journey to Euro 2024 was not straightforward. They secured their spot in the tournament not through a stellar qualification campaign but rather by winning their group in the 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League C. In their Nations League group, they faced Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Gibraltar—teams that are generally considered lower-tier in European football. In the Euro qualifying campaign, Georgia finished fourth in their group, trailing behind teams like Norway, who themselves did not make it to the Euros. This fortunate pathway has raised questions about their readiness to compete at this level.

The Georgian squad does boast some notable talents. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, often regarded as the team’s star player, brings a high level of skill and creativity. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who plays for Valencia, and Georges Mikautadze from Metz are other players who have shown promise. However, the depth of the squad is lacking, with many of the other players being relatively unknown on the international stage.

Georgia has been placed in Group F alongside Portugal, Turkey, and the Czech Republic. Each of these teams presents a significant challenge:

• Portugal: With a star-studded lineup featuring players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, Portugal is expected to dominate the group.
• Turkey: Known for their passionate play and tactical prowess, Turkey is considered a level above Georgia.
• Czech Republic: The Czechs have a well-organized team and have historically performed well in European competitions.

Given this lineup, it is hard to envision Georgia securing points against any of these teams. The odds are overwhelmingly against them taking points off Portugal, and both Turkey and the Czech Republic are heavily favored in their respective matchups against Georgia.

For those interested in betting, the odds of Georgia finishing outside the top 3 in their group are set at 1.70. A wager of 321 344 UGX this outcome could yield a potential return of 546 285 UGX. Another intriguing betting option could be Georgia scoring under 2.5 points in the group stage, which seems plausible given the stiff competition they face.

While Georgia’s qualification for Euro 2024 is a commendable achievement, the likelihood of them advancing past the group stage is slim. The combination of a challenging group and a relatively inexperienced squad suggests that Georgia is set for a tough tournament. Fans and bettors alike should manage their expectations and prepare for a potential early exit from the competition.