EAs soon as the six groups of the first phase of the Euro Cup were closed, The National Team’s coaching staff got to work ahead of the round of 16 duel. We had to wait to find out the rival of Luis de la Fuente’s team, once it was confirmed that it would be Georgia, It was the first of the sleepless nights for the National Team analysts.
The results of Group F certified that the crossing of Spain will be the Georgia of Kvaratskhelia. A Georgian team, which finished third in Group F after beating Portugal in the last match of the group stage. The victory against the Portuguese, group leaders, places Georgia on Spain’s path to the title.
Georgia, meanwhile, has made history. In his first participation in a European Championship he has achieved his first victory… and a ticket to the round of 16. The selection that commands Willy Sagnol They started this group stage with a defeat (3-1 against Turkey) but quickly recovered with a draw against the Czech Republic (1-1) and won against Portugal (2-0). Ilia Topuria, by the way, Hispanic-Georgian champion of the UFC, will have his heart divided in the round of 16.
Ojo and Mikautadze
Those from Eastern Europe have structured their miracle on a modest team with several props. In goal, a Mamardashvili (Valencia) who played a superb match against the Czech Republic; in attack, Kvaratskhelia (Naples) and Don’t miss it (Metz) made the difference. The striker who will play next season in Ligue 2 (barring market movement this summer) scored three goals and an assist in three games. Euro Cup top scorer. Almost nothing.
Mikautadze, in fact, joins a list of chosen ones: he is the ninth player to have scored in each of the first three matches of a European Championship. He equals Platini (1984), Shearer and Stoichkov (1996), Milosevic (2000), Baros and van Nistelrooy (2004), Bale (2016) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2021).
Regarding Kvaratskhelia, it is fair to say that against Portugal he returned to his best version. The one that made the world fall in love with the Naples ‘Scudetto’ season. A footballer involved in rumors about his future, cross-statements… and a tournament that can catapult him definitively.
A team that bases itself on a low block defense and then comes out quickly on the counterattack with fast men like Kvaratskhelia. The tournament of Giorgi Kochorashvili (Levante), is also worth mentioning. An all-rounder in the midfield who exemplifies what a very supportive team is.
Spain already knows Georgia
Spain and Georgia have met six times in official competition. The balance for the Spanish team is overwhelming. Six wins in the six games that have been measured. The last time the two teams met was precisely in the group stage on the way to this Euro Cup. Spain won 1-7 in Georgia and won again (3-1) in Valladolid.
