TURKEY kick-start their Euro 2024 campaign TODAY with a tough clash against underdogs Georgia – but the match has descended into chaos ahead of kick off.
Severe weather saw water pouring onto seats and the pitch while fans were seen FIGHTING in a corner of the stadium.
Turkey enter the game as favourites but Georgia should not be underestimated, however, as they have a few stars in their team – including Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
- Kick off: 5pm BST
- TV/Stream: BBC One and iPlayer
- Turkey XI: Gunok, Muldur, Akaydin, Bardakci, Kadioglu, Calhanoglu, Ayhan, Huler, Kokcu, Yildiz, Yilmaz.
- Georgia XI: Mamardashvili, Kakabadze, Kvirkvelia, Kashia, Dvali, Tsitaishvili, Mekvabishvili, Kochorashvili, Chavetadze, Kvaratshkelia, Mikautadze.
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Feisty start to game in Dortmund
We have had about everything you could guess so far before a ball has even been kicked in this one.
Trouble has flared up between the two sets of supporters but the German police seem to have it under control now.
Let’s hope it is the football we are talking about after the final whistle in this one.
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Reuters -
Georgia starting XI:
It is looking promising that we will see some football this evening now and here is the side Willy Sagnol has selected.
25. Mamardashvili, 3. Dvali, 4. Kashia, 5. Kverkvelia, 21. Tsitaishvili, 6. Kochorashvili, 20. Mekvabishvili, 10. Chakvetadze, 2. Kakabadze, 7. Kvaratskhelia, 22. Mikautadze
Credit: AFP -
Turkey starting XI:
While we hope this game goes ahead, here is the side Vincenzo Montella has selected.
1. Gunok, 20. Kadioglu, 14. Bardakci, 4. Akaydin, 18. Muldur, 22. Ayhan, 10. Calhanoglu, 19. Yildiz, 6. Kokcu, 8. Guler, 21. Yilmaz
Credit: Reuters
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Rain putting dampener on game
While the weather does not seem to be letting up in Dortmund, the game is still in doubt of going ahead.
Added to that, lots of fighting is breaking out between the two sets of fans.
Objects are being thrown and the two sets of ‘supporters’ are trying to get over fences to get at each other.
More to follow.
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Breaking News – Game in risk of postponement
The match between Turkey and Georgia is at risk of being called off this evening.
Heavy rain in the area has led to the roof in the stadium leaking and water pouring into the stands.
No final decision has been made as yet as UEFA decide how to play this one, read more here.
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Montella with plenty to prove
Turkey have underwhelmed in their last two appearances in the tournament, having exited at the group stage on both occasions.
Their best performance previously was in Euro 2008 when they reached the semi-finals.
That said, their aim this time around will be to reach the knockout phases.
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Georgians living the dream
This will be a massive honour to appear in Euro 2024 having never qualified for a tournament previously.
Largely seen as massive outsiders to even get out of the group, the pressure is off Willy Sagnol’s team.
This should allow them to go out and enjoy their football and show the watching world what they are made of.
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Turkey looking to impress
The Crescent Stars will be looking to utilise their next generation of football talent in Germany.
With many young talented players coming through, Vincenzo Montella feels this is the time for them to shine.
Victory in their opener would be the perfect start for the side ranked 40th in the latest FIFA rankings.
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Second place up for grabs
With Portugal expected to win Group F, it leaves the runners-up spot open to any of the remaining three teams.
As a result, this game could have a huge impact on who takes that place as the two teams look to battle the Czech Republic for qualification.
In these tournaments, four points is usually enough to make the knockout phases.
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Welcome to Turkey vs Georgia
Group F kicks-off this evening as Turkey lock horns with Georgia in what could prove a pivotal game for both teams.
Turkey suffered injuries to Enes Unal, Caglar Soyuncu and Ozan Kabak ahead of the tournament.
When they decided on their final squad for tournament Dogan Alemdar, Cenk Ozkacar, Berat Ozdemir, Can Uzun, Abdulkadir Omur and Oguz Aydin all missed out.
It was a surprise to many that Uzun was left out after the 18-year-old scored 16 times this season in the second tier of German football.
Baris Alper Yilmaz is expected to lead the line with Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz expected to operate in the number 10 position.
Merih Demiral will be a key player in the heart of defence with Abdulkerim Bardakci also set to feature.
Hakan Calhanoglu will captain Turkey in the tournament from midfield, looking to add to his tally of 18 goals for the national team.
Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler could potentially be a surprise starter given his game time this season but his creativity could be key to their goal return in the tournament.
Georgia are hoping that Solomon Kvirkvelia overcomes an injury issue to feature in the middle of defence but Giorgi Gvelesiani is on standby if he doesn’t.
Otar Kiteishvili is also expected to recover from the injury that forced him off against Montenegro.
Georges Mikautadze, who plays his club football for Metz, has scored 10 times in 25 appearances for his country and is expected to start in the final third for Georgia.
Jaba Kankava was named in the initial squad but has since been replaced by Gabriel Sigua and the 18-year-old could make just his second appearance for the national side.
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Kieran Davies
