Our prediction for this Euro 2024 match:
AEK Arena will host Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier between Cyprus and Georgia, the two teams who are eyeing their first win of the process. Cyprus kicked off their campaign with a heavy 3-0 loss to Scotland and they face yet another uphill task against the Georgians. To make things even worse for the home side, important defender Nikolas Ioannou serves a one-game ban.
The former Soviet Republic, on the other hand, head into the match following a 1-1 draw with Norway. Considering that Georgia boss Willy Sagnol can count on Napoli superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the second group game, we are tempted to put our money on the visiting side. Metz striker Georges Mikautadze should be deployed up front in the 4-4-2 formation alongside Kvaratskhelia. In their last meeting in a competitive match, back in 2009, Cyprus defeated Georgia 2-1, meaning that the visitors are hungry for revenge.
Highlighted Team (Georgia):
Georgia are yet another former Soviet republic who have been competing as an independent country since 1990. The Georgians had their international debut on May 27, 1990, with the team sharing the spoils with Lithuania in Tbilisi.
Georgia have been struggling in the qualifiers for both FIFA World Cup and the European Championship ever since they played their first qualifying game and they have yet to book their place at the finals of the major tournaments. The Georgian national football team recorded their biggest win on March 30, 1997, with the team hammering Armenia in front of home fans, but they were demolished by Denmark (1-6) eight years later and that is considered the team’s biggest loss.
The Likes of Kakha Kaladze and Shota Arveladze are considered Georgia’s most famous players. Kakha Kaladze played for Georgia from 1996 to 2011, scoring one goal in 83 appearances for the national team. The left-footed defender won two Champions League titles with Serie A giants AC Milan (2003, 2007).