Ukraine, Iceland, Georgia, and Greece Compete in Euro 2024 Play-off Finals
The Euro 2024 play-off finals are just around the corner, with Ukraine set to play against Iceland in Wroclaw, Georgia hosting Greece, and Poland visiting Wales. These matches will determine which teams will secure a spot in the highly anticipated tournament.
Iceland’s impressive comeback
In a thrilling match held in Budapest, Iceland showed their resilience by coming back from a goal down to secure a 4-1 victory over Israel. Albert Gudmundsson was the hero of the night, scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to victory. Eran Zahavi gave Israel the lead with a penalty, but Gudmundsson’s free-kick and Arnor Traustason’s strike turned the game around before halftime. Zahavi missed a penalty later on, and Gudmundsson capitalized on the opportunity by scoring two late goals to complete his hat-trick.
Ukraine’s late goals stun Bosnia
In another exciting encounter, Ukraine stunned Bosnia with two late goals to secure a 2-1 victory in Zenica. Mykola Matviyenko’s own goal gave Bosnia the lead, but Roman Yaremchuk equalized in the 85th minute. The drama continued as Girona striker Artem Dovbyk headed in a dramatic winner just two minutes from time. It was a heartbreaking defeat for Bosnia, who looked set to be Ukraine’s opponents in the final.
Georgia’s historic win
Georgia made history by securing a 2-0 victory over Luxembourg, a team that has been trying to qualify for a major tournament since 1934. Budu Zivzivadze’s double ensured Georgia’s victory and dashed Luxembourg’s dreams. However, the match was not without controversy. In the 53rd minute, Gerson Rodrigues appeared to score an equalizer for Luxembourg, but the goal was overturned by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Instead, Maxime Chanot was sent off for a professional foul that had occurred at the other end 45 seconds earlier.
Greece’s comfortable cruise
In Athens, Gus Poyet’s Greece enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 victory over Kazakhstan. The Greek team dominated the match, with four different goal scorers finding the back of the net in the first 40 minutes. A late own goal added to Kazakhstan’s misery. It was a convincing performance by Greece, who showed their strength and determination.
Looking ahead to the final
The stage is set for an exciting final in Wroclaw, Poland. Unfortunately, Ukraine will be unable to host the final due to the ongoing invasion by Russia. The teams competing in the final have shown their resilience and skill throughout the play-off matches, making this an eagerly anticipated event.
Friendlies for the losers
Following the play-off finals, the losing teams will have one last chance to redeem themselves. They will play each other in friendlies on Tuesday, providing an opportunity for them to regroup and fine-tune their strategies.
As Euro 2024 draws closer, football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the final results of these play-off matches. The teams competing have already showcased their talent and determination, and now it’s time to see who will secure their place in this prestigious tournament. All eyes will be on Wroclaw as Ukraine, Iceland, Georgia, and Greece battle it out for a chance to shine on the European stage.