Chechia’s Ivan Hašek says ready for Georgia’s Kvaratskhelia

June 21 – Czechia aim for their first points of their Euro 2024 campaign against Georgia on Saturday afternoon after their last-second defeat to Portugal left a bitter taste in an otherwise encouraging opening performance.

Leading the group with zero points, both teams will recognize the importance of this match to advance to the next round of the competition.

“We did a detailed analysis of the match between Georgia and Turkey. Both teams were very even, Georgia was very dangerous and had no luck. They play as a team,” said Czech Republic head coach Ivan Hašek (photo).

“We really need to prevent them from having free spaces. We have to be really focused and focused. They cannot be allowed to counterattack as this is their greatest threat.

Looking back on his own team’s tournament opener – marked by a late 2-1 defeat to Portugal – Hasek said: “In the first game we lacked courage. We had to defend all the time and didn’t have the strength to attack, that was the main problem.

The coach nevertheless saw many positives, notably in the determination of captain Tomas Soucek, despite an injury sustained at the end of the club season.

“Soucek is a real captain,” Hasek said. “He represents his team on and off the field and that’s important to have.”

“I didn’t even notice that Soucek had health problems! Added Czech midfielder Antonín Barak.

“He really doesn’t show anything and he really doesn’t let up in training. Everyone has health problems at the end of a season, but everyone wants to be there at the Euros to give their all.

“It’s a tournament you don’t get to play in often – if you get the chance, you take it. For Thomas, it’s the same: if he can play, he will.

Plying his trade for Fiorentina in Serie A, Barak is more than familiar with the attacking presence of the Georgia team, led by Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Barak, who has 41 caps for his country, said: “Kvaratskhelia is a very good player. Especially after last season when Napoli won the title and he was one of the greatest players in the league.

“On the other hand, in his national team, his role is a little different. He doesn’t have much support from others. Everyone is talking about him and we are ready to face him. He is one of Georgia’s biggest threats, but we can’t forget about Georgia’s other players either.

“They know how to create many scoring opportunities and counter-attack. It’s not all about Kvicha, but he’s definitely a superstar.

Without Kvaratskhelia up front, Barak admitted long-range goals could be the answer to unlocking Georgia’s stubborn defense.

The new Adidas tournament ball could be a valuable addition to the Czech team as it has received praise from players who suggest it helps them shoot from distance.

“The Adidas balls are really great – the ball is very light,” Barak explained. “Thanks to this ball, there are so many goals. The new features allow us to score goals from outside the box – that’s nothing but praise from me!

Barak continued: “I’m not here just to compete, I want to win. The coach knows it, and the whole team has the same mentality. Before and after the match against Portugal, we had great energy. We have to be a team, but also show up as individuals.

“I’m not nervous, because football has given me everything and difficult times are something I enjoy.”

The teams will compete in Hamburg, located right next to the Czech training complex. The Georgians, meanwhile, will have to travel more than 240 miles from their base camp in Velbert to reach the Volksparkstadion for Saturday’s match.

Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1719016482laboratory1719016482ofdlr1719016482i have to1719016482sni@g1719016482niwe.1719016482yrrah1719016482