Georgia-Belgium is a match valid for the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and is played on Saturday at 18:00: news, formations and predictions.
It is really impressive to see Georgia leading Group A after the first day of the group stage, ahead of better-equipped teams such as Belgium, the Netherlands and especially Portugal, who were surprised by the hosts in their opener last Wednesday.
Gagua and Sazonov were the ‘heroes’ who signed off on a historic victory that was impossible to predict, bearing in mind the huge gap between the two national teams. And instead, taking advantage of the field factor and thanks to a good dose of cynicism, the Caucasians debuted as best they could (2-0) in what is their first participation in the final phase of an Under-21 European Championship. Ramaz Svanadze’s men interpreted the match impeccably, putting in an excellent defensive performance and taking advantage of a Portugal side that was strangely inaccurate in goal. Georgia therefore showed that they have learnt their lesson from that 4-1 defeat against the Lusitanians last September in a friendly, which they promptly ‘avenged’. Qualification is now no longer a utopia: taking for granted the Portuguese’s redemption, the one at risk of a resounding elimination seems to be one of the Netherlands and Belgium, who ended up in a zero-zero draw in the first day despite a match characterised by numerous chances.
Belgium lacked substance against the Netherlands
De Ketelaere and his team-mates were unable to convert even one of the sixteen shots taken towards the goal defended by Verbruggen. And now they can do no wrong against Georgia to avoid jeopardising qualification.
Belgium’s Vertessen
Selector Jacky Mathijssen is relying on the goal-scoring streak of Lens striker Lois Openda, who was left high and dry against the Dutch. But it will be no easy task to score against a national team that is organised and on its third consecutive clean sheet.
The Prediction
Belgium were unable to find the way to a goal against the Netherlands by sheer chance, and it cannot be underestimated that the Red Devils built up plenty of chances. Georgia is a tough nut to crack but it is difficult to assume that the Caucasians can pull off another feat, even keeping the Belgian attack at bay. For those who do not feel like betting on Mathijssen’s selection, they can opt for the goal sign.
The official lineups for Georgia v Belgium
- GEORGIA U21 (5-3-2): Mamardashvili; Khvadagiani, Gelashvili, Kalandadze, Sazonov, Tsitaishvili; Mekvabishvili, Moistsrapishvili, N. Gagnidze; Davitashvili, Gagua.
- BELGIUM U21 (4-3-1-2): Vandevoordt; Siquet, Debast, De Winter, De Cuyper; Vranckx, Keita, Matazo; De Ketelaere; Openda, Balikwisha.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
