Patrik Schick became Czechia’s all-time Uefa Euro top scorer but said a 1-1 draw with competition newcomers Georgia was “not enough” in a tight race to progress to the knockout stage in Germany from Group F.
Ivan Hasek’s side dominated their second group-stage match in Hamburg but fell behind when Georges Mikautadze converted a penalty in first-half added time with Georgia’s only shot on target.
Schick replied 14 minutes after the break, pouncing to chest in almost on the line after substitute Ondrej Lingr’s header came off a post.
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Schick: Czechia ‘better side’ v Georgia
“We were the better side but the goalkeeper kept us out in the first half,” said Schick, speaking to EURO2024.com about an extraordinary display by Giorgi Mamardashvili, who made a succession of superb saves.
“The result is not enough for us. Then we conceded a penalty and it was not going well for us. We scored an equaliser and went after a second, pushed them hard but failed to score the goal we deserved.”
One of Mamardashvili’s stops diverted Schick’s low drive behind during the first half but the 28-year-old became the outright top Euro scorer since the 2020 tournament started by putting Czechia level.
“I managed to get in a good shooting position with some trickery,” said Schick. “I do not know if I could have gone for a cross-shot. But their goalkeeper is very tall, stretched himself and made a save.”
Schick has now beaten Milan Baros’ Czech record of five goals at the tournament, one ahead of next-nearest scorer Vladimir Smicer, who scored four goals across Euro ’96, 2000 and 2004.
Euro 2024 Group F
Saba Lobjanidze should have won the game when he broke clear with seconds to go but was left crestfallen after spurning the chance.
“We did a foolish thing in the last minute and could have lost,” assessed Schick. “We have a point and will play for everything in the last game.”
🇨🇿 Schick 🤝 EURO goals #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/zH7ofdvx8f
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 22, 2024
Czechia must beat Turkiye in their final group-stage game in Hamburg on Wednesday to reach the round of 16 alongside group winners Portugal.
Turkiye beat Georgia 2-1 in their first match but were then outclassed 3-0 by Portugal and will have Rafael Leao suspended through two bookings for simulation.
