Less than 24 hours are left till the most important match for the Georgian national rugby union team. The Georgians started preparation for World Cup with Tbilisi Cup and November test matches. Tomorrow this process will become more active.
The first opponent of Georgia is Germany. The match will take place in “Sportzentrum” stadium, at 17:00 Tbilisi time in Heusenstamm.
“The Lelos” gathered in Toulouse (France). On Monday they started practicing. A 4-day practice went well but coach is not fully satisfied:
“Snow prevented us from practicing in France. However, I am sure we will play Germany well on Saturday”.
The Georgian national team held the last practice on Thursday. In the evening they departed for Germany. Before that, Milton Haig named those 23 rugby players who will play Germany in Heusenstamm. There are some debutants in lineup but the Georgians must not find it hard to beat Germany.
Two rugby players will play for “The Lelos” for the first time. These players are Aleksandre Khutsishvili (“Kochebi” Bolnisi) and Vasil Lobzhanidze (“Armazi”). If something goes wrong, experienced Giorgi Begadze is a substitute. He has earned 28 caps.
“We selected experienced and debutants. We are looking forward to their joint game. This year the German team advanced to A Division and is very self-confident. But do not forget that we beat Japan in November and we are also self-confident”, - stated Haig.
Merab Kvirikashvili (578 points) is not on the list of the Georgian national team. His replacement Lasha Malaguradze is a substitute. Giorgi Aptsiauri will make conversions. It will be the second team match for 20-year-old rugby player of “Aia” Kutaisi. He is in lineup for the first time. His debut in the national team was held against Japan when he replaced injured Davit Kacharava at the 3rd minute. Unfortunately, Aptsiauri got injured at the 59th minute and he also left the field.
The Georgian and the German teams have played each other three times. The Georgians won all matches – 14:3 in 1995, 38:5 in 2009 and 77:3 in 2010. You can watch live stream of the match here: http://sportdeutschland.tv/rugby/live-rugby-europe-championship-2015-deutschland-vs-georgien
The 2015 European Championship
I round
7 February. Heusenstamm. “Sportzentrum”. 17:00 (Tbilisi time)
Germany – Georgia
Germany: 15. Steffen Liebig, 14. Mark Szytyndera, 13. Clemens von Grumbkow (cap.), 12. Anjo Buckmann, 11. Hendrik van der Merwe, 10. Jeremy Te Huia, 9. Tim Menzel; 1. Matthias Shosser, 2. Michail Tyumenev, 3. Samy Fuchsel, 4. Falk Duwe, 5. Rob May, 6. Umberto Pilla, 7. Robert Hittel, 8. Alan Keesen.
Substitutes: 16. Dale Garner, 17. Chris Howells, 18. Marcus Bender, 19. Michael Poppmeier, 20. Kehoma Brenner, 21. Pierre Mathurin, 22. Sean Armstrong.
Head coach: Kobus Potgieter (South Africa)
Georgia: 15. Giorgi Aptsiauri, 14. Sandro Todua, 13. Davit Kacharava, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Aleksandre Khutsishvili, 10. Lasha Khmaladze, 9. Vasil Lobzhanidze; 1. Mikheil Nariashvili, 2. Zurab Zhvania, 3. Davit Zirakashvili, 4. Vakhtang Maisuradze, 5. Giorgi Nemsadze, 6. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 7. Shalva Sutiashvili, 8. Beka Bitsadze.
Substitutes: 16. Shalva Mamukashvili, 17. Levan Chilachava, 18. Dudu Kubriashvili, 19. Kote Mikautadze, 20. Dimitri Basilaia; 21. Giorgi Begadze, 22. Lasha Malaguradze, 23. Tamaz Mchedlidze.
Not on the list: Vasil Kakovin, Karlen Aseishvili, Giorgi Chkhaidze, Lasha Lomidze; Merab Kvirikashvili, Muraz Giorgadze.
Head coach: Milton Haig (New Zealand)
Coaches: Ilia Maisuradze, Ilia Zedginidze, Irakli Machkhaneli, Michael Bradley (Ireland), Didier Bes (France)
Referee: Laurent Cardona (France)
Linesmen: Maxime Chalon, Benoit Escube
Portugal – Romania
Spain – Russia
II round. 14 February
Georgia – Portugal
Romania – Spain
Germany – Russia
III round. 28 February
Spain – Georgia
Russia – Romania
Portugal – Germany
IV round. 14 March
Georgia – Russia
Portugal – Spain
Germany – Russia
V round. 21 March
Romania – Georgia
Russia – Portugal
Spain – Germany
