Czechs disappoint

Georgia vs. Czech Republic LIVE from 3 pm

Georgia celebrated their first point at the European Championship finals.(Bild: AFP/APA/Christophe SIMON)

Georgia's national soccer team held the Czech Republic to a 1-1 draw at the European Championship in Germany. The tournament newcomers picked up their first ever European Championship point on Saturday thanks to a penalty and an outstanding goalkeeping performance. Before their group final against Portugal, the Eastern Europeans led by Otar Kiteishvili can even dream of advancing. The Bundesliga player of the season was once again only on the bench in Hamburg.

Patrik Schick (59) saved the Czechs, who clearly set the tone, from their second defeat in the current tournament. They also face a heart-stopping final on the last day of group play. Their opponents will be Turkey. Georges Mikautadze had put the underdogs ahead with a penalty (45.+4).

Georgia celebrate their first point at the European Championship finals.(Bild: AFP/APA/Christophe SIMON)

Strong goalkeeper
Georgia's "crusaders" once again showed immense forward momentum, but needed a very strong goalkeeper to secure the historic point. After a fast-paced opening few minutes, in which the Czech Republic played a highly dangerous crossing game, Giorgi Mamardashvili already had three strong saves to his name. The Valencia goalkeeper was beaten in the 23rd minute, but Adam Hlozek's pinball goal was rightly disallowed due to an unintentional handball.

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Spurred on by their vocal supporters, the Georgians and their Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia impressed with their courageous dribbling, but the first shot on goal was also a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Robin Hranac - the own-goal scorer against Portugal - had a free-kick cross hit his outstretched arm. Mikautadze, who had already scored Georgia's first European Championship goal in the 3-1 defeat to Turkey, converted safely (45.+4).

Schick's sixth European Championship goal
Mamardashvili saved the break for Georgia against Schick (45.+5), but in the 59th minute even the 1.99-meter man was powerless. Schick was on hand to head home the rebound from a corner. It was the sixth European Championship goal for the Leverkusen goalkeeper, who was injured shortly afterwards. The equalizer was long overdue, as the more structured Czechs set the tone. However, Anzor Mekvabishvili had missed a potential 2:0 on the counter-attack (57').

Huge chance at the very end
The Czechs, who had only lost 2-1 to Portugal in stoppage time in the opener, pinned their opponents back. Georgia created less and less relief, but held on to the result with great passion. The Czech Republic risked everything - and almost ran into a momentous counterattack at the last second. But "joker" Saba Lobjanidze finished off the 3:1 situation with a shot over the crossbar.