By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Portugal’s objective for a nine-pointer tonight is inconsequential but it’s a case of dog eats dog in the other Group E and F fixtures tonight on a Super Wednesday that will complete the last 16 pairing at Euro 2024.
Portugal are already through on 6 points with a game to spare and host bottom of Group F side Georgia who have one point.
This one looks like going Portugal’s way for the nine-pointer, a benchmark by press time still not met.
But Czech Republic and Turkiye face off in a winner takes all last 16 ticket and head into the game on 1 point and 3 points respectively.
The maths in this 21h00 kickoff in Hamburg is clear, a victory for either side earns them the final automatic last 16 places but a loss for Turkiye maybe enough for one of the four slots for the best third placed finishers.
Meanwhile, two dog fights lie in store in the two 18h00 simultaneous Group E kickoffs where all four sides are on 3 points and any of the four also guaranteed a third best placed spot.
In Frankfurt, leaders Romania play third placed Slovakia.
Down the road in Stuttgart, bottom placed Ukraine face perennial tournament darlings Belgium.
Group E
18h00:Slovakia – Romania
18h00: Ukraine – Belgium
Group F
21h00: Czech -Turkiye
21h00: Georgia – Portugal
