Georgian national handball team hold its second home match in the group qualifying stage of World Championship and won again. The team, coached by Serbian specialist George Rasich hosted Turkey at the Tbilisi Sports Palace and took deserving revenge (33:26) for the defeat 3 days ago (23:29).
Despite the fact that the attendance was free, only the first tier rostrums were filled. Approximately 2000 fans gathered there and they supported the team very zealously. In creating such a brilliant atmosphere special role played press-attach of Georgian handball federation Giorgi Gulbani and Georgian Sports Fans.
Georgian team opened the score by the goal of Revaz Chanturia. The Turks immediately leveled the score. This continued until the 9th minute, the hosts had a small advantage, but could not increase the difference in account before Rati Mskhviladze not promoted the team 8:5. Then the referee made Sergo Datukashvili to leave the field for 2 minutes and the Turks managed to equalize. But Mskhvilidze and Vladimer Rusia quickly regained the three-balls handicap and the Georgian team won the half 19:15.
After the break, the visitors started to play more aggressively, but due to the magnificent play of goalkeeper Shota Tevzadze did not reverse the course of the meeting. At the 5th minute the referee appointed 7-meter kick twice in the goal of the Georgians. Tevzadze repulsed both of it . This emotional episode acted badly on the visitors. At the 15th minute the team of Rasichi was winning 26:18 with 8 points.
In this section Irakli Chikovani was one of the best among the Georgians. He got trauma 6 minutes before the final siren and could not continue play. Mskhvilidze fixed the final score.
Two rounds before the end of the qualifying stage Georgian team has 4 points and is behind only Lithuania (7 points). Finland has 3 points and Turkey – 2 points.
On January 8 Georgian handball players will host Lithuanians at Tbilisi Sports Palace. Recall, that Lithuania won its first match 23:17. If the revenge will take place, then the team which goes through the play-off of World Championship qualifying stage will be revealed in the final round on January 11. Georgian will play in Finland and Lithuania will host Turkey.
Handball
World Championship Qualifying Stage
Fourth Round
Tbilisi. January 5
Georgia – Turkey 33:26 (19:15)
Georgia: Shota Tevzadze, Giga Toronjadze, Giorgi Gvazava (1), Ucha Gamzardia (1), Zurab Abramishvili, Sergo Datukashvili (2), Vladimer Rusia (6), Irakli Chikovani (5), Revaz Chanturia (5), Rati Mskhvilidze (11), Akaki Talakhadze (2).
Head coach: George Rasich
Turkey: Taner Gunay, Rejef Kirdal, Alferen Petkash (4), Atila Zamani (1), Onur Ersin (2), Emre Iozi (1), Chetin Cheliq (2), Tolga Ozbahar (3), Tugberk Chatkin (5), Emre Keskin (1), Mikail Yildirim (3), Can Celebi (4).
Head coach: Adnan Ozturk
Referees: Robert Arabaju, Silviu Stanesku (both Romania)
Commissar: Vasili Pegiri (Ukraine) .
Otar Maglakelidze
