In Tbilisi, in swimming complex “Olympic”, the Georgian national water polo team defeated Turkey 8:4 in the first play off match of European Championship. The Georgians have advanced 1:0 in two-match series. The second match will take place in Istanbul on March 1. The team with the best result will be declared as a winner. The Georgians can even lose with 3 goals. In case of losing with 4 goals, the teams will play overtime. So, the Georgians have a chance to play at the final stage of European Championship for the first time.
Georgia-Turkey match caused such a great interest that there was no place to sit or stand. The match started with the advantage of the hosts and they scored goal – 1:0. Soon, the guests equalized score by penalty. Then, the hosts advanced again. The Turkish water polo players fought till the end. Goalkeeper Chumburidze played a key role in our victory. At the last minutes of the match referees sent off our veteran and one of the leaders Rezo Chomakhidze. In spite of that, the hosts managed to keep 4-goal advantage and finally, they won 8:4.
“Olympic” was crowded but the support of the fans was not good. Our team will hold the toughest match in Turkey because the Turkish fans are famous for their support and neither “mistakes” of the referees are excluded in favor of the hosts.
After the match “World Sport” talked to Sandro Bitadze, veteran water polo player and vice-president of the Georgian Water Polo Federation:
“Today we had a very tough opponent which has an experience of playing at European Championship. The boys held the toughest match. I want to thank them for winning this match”.
- Are you satisfied with the referees?
- There were mistakes toward the both teams. Overall, I am satisfied.
- Will Chomakhidze miss the next match?
- Chomakhidze will play in Turkey because this sent off does not consider missing the next match.
- What can you say about the next match?
- We will hold the toughest match. In spite of winning with 4 goals, winner of the play off will be found out in Istanbul.
- Will the Georgian fans attend the match in Istanbul?
- As I know, more than 100 fans are going to attend Turkey-Georgia match. Hopefully, their number will increase.
Georgia – Turkey 8:4
(3:1, 2:1, 2:1, 1:1)
Tbilisi. February 15. Swimming complex “Olympic”. Play off of European Championship. The first match
Georgia: Zurab Chumburidze (goalkeeper); Beka Kapanadze (goalkeeper), Galaktion Laitadze, Beka Kavtaradze, Beka Kenkadze, Zurab Rurua (cap.), Mikheil Bagaturia, Aleksandre Rusishvili, Giorgi Khvedeliani, Konstantine Gegelashvili, Tato Nikoleishvili, Damir Crepulja, Marino Franicevic, Marko Jelaca, Marko Elez, Revaz Imnaishvili, Revaz Chomakhidze
Head coach: Vladimer Iselidze
Coach: Jovan Popovic
Goals:
Georgia: Elaca (3), Crepulja (2), Elez, Chomakhidze, Rurua (1)
Turkey: Ozbakis (3), Sutalo (1)
Roland Labuchidze
