RADIO
Happy Euro 2024, RotoBallers! The tournament is just a couple of weeks away, and soccer fans are ready to witness the top nations in Europe battle it out for a spot in the finals at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany. Elite football stars from around the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and many more, will represent their nations when the contest starts on June 14, 2024.
After a three-year break, Euro 2024 coverage is back on Rotoballer. Our dedicated team is ready to bring you comprehensive coverage, from Group Previews to the fantasy game and the day-to-day action of DFS during the tournament.
Take advantage of our extensive Euro 2024 coverage. This is just one of our six group previews. You can access the other five previews and the rest of our Euro 2024 coverage here on Rotoballer.
Overview: Group F
Portugal is expected to win Group F with ease. However, with both Turkey and the Czech Republic in the group, anything is possible. The last time the Seleção das Quinas won the Euros was in 2016. It took the Group favorites seven tries before they finally qualified for the Euros – 1984 – and they showed up in France with a bang, placing third in their first run. This will be their ninth trip to the Euros and potentially one of the final chances for Ronaldo to add another International trophy to his cabinet. Turkey is making a sixth trip to the Euros with third place their best finish.
With the Czech Republic up next, they are making an eleventh trip to the Euros with eight as Czech Republic and three as Czechoslovakia. No matter which country they were identified, they have qualified for each Euro tournament they have played qualifiers for, winning once as Czechoslovakia and placing third as Czech Republic. Considered a dark horse in most tournaments, the Naši are always a candidate to take Group F. Finally, we have Georgia making their debut at the Euros. Expecting to be eliminated, the ‘rookies’ could always cause an upset or two, potentially shaking up Group F.
Schedule
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Date | Time (EDT) |
| Portugal | Czech Republic | Jun. 15 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Turkey | Georgia | Jun. 18 | 12:00 p.m. |
| Georgia | Czech Republic | Jun. 22 | 9:00 a.m. |
| Turkey | Portugal | Jun. 22 | 12:00 p.m. |
| Czech Republic | Turkey | Jun. 23 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Georgia | Portugal | Jun. 26 | 3:00 p.m. |
Portugal
Bettings Odds (Bet365)
Win Group: -225
Advance: -2500
Win Euro 2024: +800
Player to Watch: Rafael Leão - Forward, AC Milan
With all eyes focused on Cristiano Ronaldo as the star of Portugal, a younger winger is in the ranks looking to take over as the lead of the attack and it is Rafael Leão. Leão in 26 appearances for Portugal has four goals and five assists as a complimentary piece to their attack. After having his two best seasons with AC Milan in domestic play in 2021 and 2022, the winger’s production fell off a bit this past season, failing to reach double-digits in goals. Failing to break into the starting XI as a full-time starter for Portugal, this is Leão’s big opportunity to showcase what he can bring to the table.
Prediction: Win Group; Lose Semi-Finals
Portugal is expected to take Group F as mentioned above. However, from there, things get dicey and quickly. They could play the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Denmark depending on how the other groups play out and who wins which match in the first two rounds of the Knockout Stage. Either way, they will be meeting stiff competition, and the semi-final is expected to be a match against Italy or Spain, ultimately resulting in Portugal’s demise at the Euros.
Leão's stunning goal not enough | AC Milan 1-1 Atalanta | Highlights Serie A
https://youtu.be/atLvTzmWH-E?si=DVLd3X-igLO9zkmg
— Youtube (@ACMilan) February 25, 2024
Turkey
Bettings Odds (Bet365)
Win Group: +400
Advance: -350
Win Euro 2024: +5000
Player to Watch: Arda Güler - Midfielder, Real Madrid
Yet another Real Madrid player makes the ‘Player to Watch’ list with youngster Arda Güler making his Euros debut. Out of six appearances with Turkey between Euro Qualifiers and Friendlies, Güler has only started two of those matches and he has one goal in all six. When looking at Güler’s season this past year with Real Madrid, in 10 appearances – four starts – in domestic play, he had six goals, 15 shots, two created chances, 13 crosses, six corners, six tackles, two interceptions, and one clearance. As the future of Turkey’s creative attack, Güler will have many watching his big stage debut.
Prediction: Advance; Losing in Round of 16
Unless England is upset during Group Play, Turkey will need a miracle to escape the Round of 16. As a third-place candidate to make the Knockout Stage, Turkey would have a Round of 16 matchup against the Winners of Group C, expected to be England. In all tournaments and friendlies, the two countries have played a total of eleven times with England winning nine of the times and the other two matches were draws. By no means will the Ay-Yildizlilar have an easy path in the Euros 2024.
https://youtu.be/ABbC4Uyl5JQ?si=w9V2ecMXFzxcMf3G
— Youtube (@LearnCity) January 6, 2024
Czech Republic
Bettings Odds (Bet365)
Win Group: +550
Advance: -138
Win Euro 2024: +15000
Player to Watch: Adam Hlozek - Forward, Bayer Leverkusen
Adam Hlozek is no stranger to big stages, making his second trip to the Euros at a ripe age of 21. The striker has also played in the Euro Qualifiers, UEFA Nations League, and World Cup Qualifiers. In those 31 appearances – approximately 15 starts – he has two goals and two assists. In all competitions this past season with Leverkusen in 32 appearances – 10 starts – he has four goals, four assists, 39 shots, 18 created chances, two crosses, 12 tackles, four interceptions, three clearances, and two blocks. This is following the 2022 season with Leverkusen where he made more appearances and starts, but there was not a large increase in production with the increase in pitch time. Is it a matter of poor coaching or guidance, or is it the player? With plenty of youth talent in the pipeline, this could be Hlozek’s final chance to cement a role with the Nasi.
Prediction - Advance, Losing in Round of 16
As the expected Group F runners-up, the Czech Republic will have a very tough outing in the Round of 16 against the expected Group D winners, France, despite the former’s history. In four matches between Friendlies and the Euros, the Czech Republic has a 2-1-1 record against France with their last match and win in 2003 during a 2-0 Friendly victory. With France playing at their peak right now, the Czech Republic will need nothing short of a miracle to escape this glooming fixture.
Georgia
Bettings Odds (Bet365)
Win Group: +1600
Advance: +125
Win Euro 2024: +500000
Player to Watch: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Forward, Napoli
The young winger, when suited up for Georgia, has appeared in 30 total matches, accumulating 15 goals and eight assists in that time. In his second season with Napoli in the Serie A, he did not produce as many points as his first season, however, he did generate more peripherals. Granted the reduction of goals and assists, albeit not much, could be attributed to Napoli’s overall poor form this season. With an entire country resting on his shoulders, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia will need to play out of his mind to prevent his country from going home during Group Stage play.
Prediction - Eliminated in the Group Stage
Making their Euro debut, Georgia will gain valuable experience. Unfortunately for them, they will not be making the Knockout Stage. With losing records against the other three countries, Georgia is expected to struggle.
Join Our League
Once again, join our Rotoballer.com fantasy league. Hit any of our writers up over the next two weeks, and we will give you the code (also in the graphic below), and you'll be good to go. Good luck for UEFA Euro 2024 Fantasy, RotoBallers!
Stick around for more Euro Fantasy content coming soon. Is there a question you would like to have answered every week? Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
