Georgian U18 national team starts European Challenger in North Macedonia today

Georgian U-18 team has left for North Macedonia, where it will take part in one of the challengers of the strongest division of the continent. As you are aware, FIBA canceled the championships in European A and B Divisions and recommended holding small challengers due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The capital of Georgia hosted one of the U-20 Challengers on July 20-25, while other Georgian youth teams have to participate in similar tournaments in other countries.

Just like in the U20s, Georgia is in a strong division in the U18s. The top 18 teams are split into 3 and play the Challengers in Israel, Turkey and North Macedonia. The Georgian team coached by Davit Rogava and Kakha Tomaradze was included in the group of North Macedonia together with the national teams of this country, Spain, Serbia, Germany and Croatia. Our team had the meeting in Tbilisi and Khashuri, after which it took the road to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, and from today, August 3, it will join Challenger, under the auspices of which it will play 5 matches.

We spoke to the head coach of the Georgian U-18 team, Davit Rogava, who made the following comments about our team and the upcoming challenger:

• Due to Covid-19 regulation unfortunately we could not hold the full camp and friendly games we had planned, but with the help of the National Basketball Federation we went through a 3-week gathering before the tournament. We went through many tactical and technical details at this meeting. We have also done our best in terms of physical training in this short period, for which I would like to thank our physical training coach. Unfortunately, we have not played any friendly games and I think this is one of the biggest problems.
• Of course, there were a lot of injuries during the preparation period, due to which we missed the players, unfortunately we also missed a few players due to the regulations, but I am sure each member of our team is ready to do his best with any opponent. 
• Conditions are normal in North Macedonia, all the teams have already arrived and we are all in the process of preparation.
• All five of our opponents are quite strong. 2 years ago these teams finished in the top 10 of Division A U16. It is always a joy when you have to play with such teams. Great experience for both players and coaches. After studying the teams, I can tell you that almost all the teams have arrived with the best and optimal composition, which makes everything more interesting.
• In these games, our goal will be to show our positive sides and fighting ability, which we promise to the Georgian fans. In part, this is a preparation for the upcoming U-18 EuroBasket to get to know the players better.

Georgian team games schedule:

August 3, 5:00 p.m.
Georgia – Spain
August 4, 11:00 p.m.
North Macedonia – Georgia
August 5, 8:00 p.m.
Georgia – Serbia
August 7, 5:00 p.m.
Germany – Georgia
August 8, 5:00 p.m.
Georgia – Croatia
* Tbilisi time

You can watch all the matches live on the official YouTube channel of the Basketball Federation of North Macedonia: https://www.youtube.com/user/MAKBASKETTV/featured