Georgian national team started the World Cup Qualifiers with the victory over Ukraine
Georgian national basketball team started the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers with the victory. Our team coached by Ilias Zouros defeated Ukraine in the debut match of the tournament. Georgians were behind for most of the match, having 7 points lag at one episode, however at the most necessary moment, in the final period they have gathered in one fist and defeated an awkward opponent.
Ilias Zouros also won a tactical battle against his opponent, the Latvian coach of the Ukrainians Ainars Bagatskis. The Greek leader of our team redistributed the forces of the team leaders well ant at the crucial moment, he won a memorable victory at the expense of his tactics and the dedication of the basketball players. Ilias Zouros used rotations frequently. Shengelia played 13 minutes in the first half, Burjanadze played 12. In the first 20 minutes there was a tough game under cover. It was difficult for both sides to score the ball from the three-second zone, but both teams were effective from the perimeter. Georgia scored 7 three-pointers, Ukraine – 5. 6 of the Georgians’ three-pointers were on the account of Thad McFadden, who finished the first half with 20 points.
An equal game started in the third period. The Ukrainian team has achieved a five-point advantage several times, however, at the expense of the individual mastery of the leading players, our team was reducing the gap easily. It was obvious that our team would win this game with good defense. It was necessary to stop the opponent first on the perimeter, however, our basketball players played flawless defense in the last 5 minutes of the match at the expense of the greatest diligence, and made everything hard for the Ukrainians on the court. As a result, the visitors lost several balls in a row. Givi Bakradze and Kakha Jintcharadze also helped Tornike Shengelia, Thad McFadden, Giorgi Shermadini and Beka Burjanadze in the attack. At the key moment, our team played great, leaving Ukraine 6 points behind and deciding the fate of the match before the final whistle.
Thad McFadden became the top scorer in our team, he had 27 points and 9 assists (7 three-pointers). Giorgi Shermadini and Tornike Shengelia showed equal results in terms of efficiency. Shengelia scored 16 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists, Shermadini had 23 points and 4 assists.
Georgian national team will leave for Spain tonight, where it will hold another World Cup qualifying match with the current world champion in Jaen, Andalusia. The second match of the first round of our group: North Macedonia – Spain started today at 22:30.
