Georgia make history with shootout win
GEORGIA qualified for Euro 2024 thanks to a 4-2 shootout win over Greece after a tense playoff final ended 0-0 following extra-time yesterday as they made history by reaching their first major tournament.
Georgia substitute Nika Kvekveskiri converted his spot-kick after Greece’s Giorgos Giakoumakis put his penalty wide to send the home crowd wild as their side edged through to the finals.
Georgia will be in Group F alongside Portugal, Turkey and Czech Republic at the Euros in Germany which begin on June 14.
Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Greece’s first effort from Anastasios Bakasetas after the hosts had taken the lead in the shootout but when Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze missed his spot kick the Greeks had renewed hope.
However, Giakoumakis sent Greece’s fourth penalty past the post to leave Georgia’s Kvekveskiri as the hero when he kept his cool and squeezed his right-foot kick into the net.
“Some did not believe in us but now they will believe it. We are happy. I have never had such an emotion in my life,” Georgia talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia told 1TV Sport.
Georgia lost a playoff for Euro 2020 also in
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Tbilisi against North Macedonia but this time the delirious home supporters were on the pitch celebrating as their side finally made it to a major finals at the 15th attempt.
“Thanks to the Georgian fans,” Kvaratskhelia said. “I’ve played in many stadiums but I haven’t seen such support anywhere. You were the most important factor.”
Greece were European champions in 2004 but their last appearance in a major tournament was at the 2014 World Cup. They have now failed to qualify for the last two World Cup tournaments and three European Championships. – Reuters
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