March 26, 2024 – this day will forever remain in the history of Georgian football with golden letters.
The Georgia national team achieved what the whole country has been waiting for more than 30 years and qualified for the EURO 2024 for the first time in its history.
In play-off final Willy Sagnol’s team defeated Greece in a dramatic battle on penalty shoot-out.
After winning over Luxembourg, Sagnol made only one change in lineup – Giorgi Mikautadze was replaced by Kvaratskhelia.
In the first half Georgia was close to scoring a goal when Giorgi Chakvetadze took a free kick.
Greece gained control in the second half but the Georgians played well in defense and did not give the opponent opportunity to create a dangerous moment. Neither Sagnol’s team had a chance of scoring a goal. Overall, extra time was quite logical.
It may be a paradox but the both teams had the best chances in extra time but everything was decided on penalty shoot-out. Kochorashvili, Davitashvili, Dvali and Kvekveskiri scored penalties. Mikautadze missed penalty but Mamardashvili saved the penalty of Bakasetas and Giakoumakis missed the one. Kvekveskiri scored the decisive penalty and the whole Georgia started celebrating the victory.
The celebration which is deserved – Georgia qualified for the EURO 2024!
Georgia - Greece 0:0 (4:2p)
Tbilisi, Dinamo Arena
Georgia (3-4-2-1): Mamardashvili; Kvirkvelia, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Kiteishvili (Kvekveskiri 104), Kochorashvili, Shengelia (Tsitaishvili 86); Chakvetadze (Davitashvili 104), Kvaratskhelia (Kvilitaia 109); Zivzivadze (Mikautadze 75)
Head coach: Willy Sagnol
Greece (4-3-3): Vlachodimos, Baldock (Rota 60), Mavropanos, Hatzidiakos (Retsos 106), Tsimikas; Bakasetas, Kourbelis (Siopis 67), Mantalos (Bouchalakis 98); Masouras, Ioannidis (Giakoumakis 90), Pelkas (Konstantelias 60)
Head coach: Gustavo Poyet
Penalty shoot-out: 1:0 Kochorashvili 1:0 Bakasetas (goalkeeper), 2:0 Davitashvili 2:1 Masouras 2:1 Mikautadze (missed), 2:2 Bouchalakis, 3:2 Dvali, 3:2 Giakoumakis (missed), 4:2 Kvekveskiri
Yellow cards: Zivzivadze (42), Kvirkvelia (50) - Baldock (6), Hatzidiakos (35), Mavropanos (44), Konstantelias (90), Rota (90)
Sent-off: Loria (45)
Statistics – total attempts: 17 (3) – 12 (2) possession: 40%-60% corners taken: 3:8 offsides: 2:2
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
