Dinamo Tbilisi is in the Super League semifinal. In the 3rd, decisive match of the quarterfinal series held in Kutaisi, Dinamo coached by Muhammed Tachi defeated the local team 89:80 (Statistics) and guaranteed a place in the top four of the Super League. This was one of the solid surprises of the Super League. The team that took the 7th place in the regular championship expelled the second-placed Kutaisi from the first round of the playoffs. Kutaisi has never been left out of the semifinals for the last 10 years.
Dinamo presented itself as a completely different team in the playoffs. The team that made it to the playoffs after a big fight and won a ticket to the quarterfinals in the last round, has beaten one of the most titled teams in recent years, which only had a championship ambition this year as well. Albanian coach Muhammed Tachi won the coaching duel with Kote Tughushi in the most important moment and now he has a fair ambition to reach the final. In the semifinal, the rival of Dinamo will be either Tskhum-Apkhazeti or Olimpi. The decisive quarterfinal match between these teams will be held tomorrow at the Olympic Palace.
Dinamo won the game at the expense of fighting and daring attitude. Aggressive defense was the precondition for the victory of the Tbilisi team. It is true that if they could not shoot the ball in the attack, they should not even think about winning, but when the team is stable in defense, the corridor opens in the attack and the balls fall into basket. And there are enough shooter in Muhammed Tachi’s team. Michael Edwards once again showed his universality and scored from the three-second zone and middle distance, as well as from long distances.
Nikoloz Darbaidze had a brilliant match, he was great on both fronts – in defense and attack. Dinamo followed the chosen tactics and did not panic when they were 8 points behind in the middle of the second period – 30:38. Tbilisi ended the period stably, went to the big break with a 2-point lag and started acting from the second half.
Thanks to the effectiveness of Edwards, Jamal Wright and Vladimer Tavakarashvili, Dinamo advanced by 10 points in the middle of the third period – 65:55. Before the final period, the guests were leading with 8 points, but Kutaisi managed to equalize the score finally. First of all this is the merit of Ilia Londaridze’s effective play, who acted excellently in the opponent’s penalty area during the mentioned period, while his teammates were doing a common job in the defense.
After Kaheem Ransom’s three-pointer, six minutes before the end of the game, the score was tied at -72: 72. This seemed to be an excuse for the hosts to lead, but the opposite happened. The coach of Dinamo took a minute break, gave the relevant tasks to his team and the game continued with the advantage of the guests. Darbaidze added a three pointer to the two-pointers of Tavakarashvili and Luka Bulashvili and the leadership of Dinamo increased to 7 points.
Kutaisi’s minute break did not help the case. Due to the orderly defense of Dinamo, Kutaisi had a hard time shooting the ball and in the last minutes, the difference in the score was not reduced importantly, accordingly the hosts weren’t given a chance to win. Dinamo came to the victory calmly and deservedly celebrated reaching the semifinals.
Michael Edwards led the winners with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. Nikoloz Darbaidze scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. Vladimer Tavakarashvili had 15 points. Luka Bulashvili collected 12 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Akaki Dvalishvili was the most effective in Kutaisi with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Ilia Londaridze collected 18 points and 10 rebounds. De Juan Wright had 18 points.
The season for Kutaisi ended prematurely, but with 3 titles. Imereti Club has won all three titles played so far this season (Dudu Dadiani Cup, Zurab Sakandelidze and Mikheil Qorqia Memorial and Georgian Cup).
Who will meet Dinamo in the semifinal of the Super League will be revealed by the third, decisive match between Tskhum-Apkhazeti and Olimpi, which will be held at the Tbilisi Olympic Palace on May 10, at 17:30.
