Georgian Basketball Team Defeats World Champion Spain
Georgian National Team defeated world Champion Spain in overtime with a score of 82:76 (Statistics https://www.fiba.basketball) and marked truly historic opening of new “Tbilisi Arena” with a capacity of 10000 spectators. It should be outlined that Spain suffered its first loss in qualifying tournament this year.
After defeat with Ukraine, team of Ilias Zuros proved that, the loss suffered on July 1 was a, one-time failure that happens to any team. In 4 days, our national team managed to draw the right conclusions from the previous match and improve all aspects of the game. Each member of the team, both, players, and coaches put great effort in fight against Spain, strongest opponent and gave a precious gift to full Tbilisi Arena, all basketball fans and whole Georgia.
Spain was not present with its best team, however this fact does not diminish effort of our players at all. Georgia’s win is heroic, as our team was able defeat world champion which was recruit from one of the strongest basketball leagues “Endesa”. Georgia’s win was not caused by individual player, it was team effort. Team of Ilias Zuros was able to overcome toughest moment after 3 pointer scored by Dario Brizuela at last minute of the match. You can judge yourself: at last minute Georgia was winning 3 points. Spanish players, first 28 seconds and then 24 seconds before the final siren missed 3 point shoots. In both cases, guests rebound and Brizuela was still able to score 3 pointer which tied game at 67-67.
Our team had only 18 seconds for attack. Unfortunately, Captain Shengelia missed shot at last second of the match and teams had to play extra time, where Spanish team was leading for 3 times, but was answered for every single shot. The best play was shown by young Rati Andronikashvili, who was able to turn MacFadden’s great assist into 3 pointer. Afterwards, he stole ball from Ferran Bassas and finished quick attack with 2 pointer, now score is 74:73.
Afterwards Spanish team tried to lead with 3 pointer once again but Bassas missed and in answer, Rati, just like in previous episode, was able to score and result on the scoreboard became 77:74. Match became tense once again when Spanish team was able to score 2 points, but final shot was made by MacFadden who was able to turn Shengelia’s great assist into 3 point shot and lead Georgia 80:76 by this move once again.
New Tbilisi Arena was full of winning emotions. In Georgian National team, Rati Andronikashvili had his best game, he scored 17 points, 8 of them in overtime. Shengelia performed on high level as well- posted 12 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals in an all-round display, with frontcourt partner Giorgi Shermadini top-scoring with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals. Beka Bekauri missed match in Latvia but was able to score 5 point and 4 rebounds in this wonderful game. 16 points and 8 assists posted by Macfadden should be outlined as well. We should not forget about 2 important 3 pointers scored by Duda Sanadze, and 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists 1 steal in total.
With this win Georgian National team finished 1st stage of 2023 world Championship Qualifying tournament with 4 wins and 2 loses. Last match of our group will take place between Spain and Ukraine on July 7th. In case Ukrainians win, all 3 national teams – Georgia, Spain and Ukrain will take 2-2 record into second round of the tournament.
Head couch of Georgian National team:
Huge thanks to all of my players, they showed their best for the game. Energy of our team, given by the fans attending the match had huge importance. We were feeling emotions of the spectators cheering for our team from home as well. We are proud as we were able to defeat one of the strongest teams of the world. Now we will have rest to get ready for the future games of the qualifying tournament.
-When I felt that we would win? I felt it in the morning when I saw players’ eyes, their approach, their effort. Today we saw that we can fight together, we are able to play and win together. Huge thanks to Shermadini and Shengelia who had conversation with young players, it was necessary for team spirit.
-Defense was the biggest guarantee of the win. We let opponent to score easy balls but after timeout issue was resolved. Bekauri made Blocked Shots, He rebounded several time. Shengelia, Shermadini were very important in this aspect as well. We won because of good defense. We have strong opponents at EuroBasket, Bulgaria, Belgium, they are very good. So is Montenegro, Spanish and Turkish National teams have players from NBA
-We are waiting for Sandro Mamukelashvili and Goga Bitadze. We have great preparation period ahead. We wanted to take pressure off MacFadden and he played well, but one game means nothing, he has to work a lot, stability and working in right way is most important.
Tornike Shengelia, Captain of Georgian National Team
-We proved that we can play on 2 very different levels- good and bad one. We are professionals, when we know that game should take place in 3 days, we have to analyze previous match and focus on next one.
-Beka Bekauri, Rati Andronikashvili and all players from the bench gave us huge energy. This effort was visible from morning and fans attending the match had additional influence on the result.