The Georgia U-18 rugby team did its best against France in the first half of the final but made some fatal mistakes which were followed by undeserved tries and finally, we lost 0:57.
No one can say “Little Lelos” deserved victory in this match because the French were better in all elements. However, the Georgians did not deserve 9 tries. Besides that, Georgia lacked a player twice in the first 35 minutes.
After such failure nobody should think the Georgians got in final by chance because these boys beat Ireland in ¼ final and Italy in semifinal.
Perhaps, the result would have been different if this match had been held in other country. A lot of Georgians living in France gathered at the stadium to support the Georgian team. However, the French fans were 20 times more than the Georgians. Like Georgia, France played in the final of European Championship for the first time.
The Georgian team held the first half well. However, it was obvious that the opponent had faster and more technical players but the Georgians managed to stop their offences by aggressive play in defence.
The French also knew that they played the team with great strength. At the 6th minute they had a chance to score a penalty but missed it. Soon Gela Aprasidze missed the same chance. Ushangi Cheishvili tackled opponent above shoulders and he was sin-binned.
Aprasidze missed another penalty. Soon France scored the first try but could not use conversion.
It did not mean anything. The French played on try and the Georgians defended themselves well but made a lot of fouls. At the 27th minute referee sin-binned Sandro Mamamtavrishvili. Besides that, the Georgians managed to make a good offence but a French player stole assist and scored a try – 0:12.
Soon the French scored the third try. The Georgians made more mistakes and other 6 tries were scored. Georgia lost but each member of the team proved they will celebrate a lot of victories in the future.
Now the Georgian team took the second place at European Championship! It is always tough to lose final but the Georgia U-18 team made the Georgian people very happy by beating Italy and Ireland.
The 2015 European U-18 Championship
France. Finals. 4 April
For VII place
Scotland – Ireland 12:21
For V place
Portugal – Wales 8:38
For III place
England – Italy 39:12
Final
France – Georgia 57:0 (12:0)
Georgia: 15. Mirian Modebadze, 14. Lado Miminoshvili (20. Elguja Kikvadze 44), 13. Sandro Svanidze (23. Saba Svimonishvili 53), 12. Giorgi Kveseladze, 11. Davit Meskhi, 10. Giorgi Gogoladze, 9. Gela Aprasidze (21. Beka Mamukashvili 55); 1. Ushangi Cheishvili, 2. Zaal Tskipurishvili (17. Levan Chavchavadze 36), 3. Lasha Tabidze (cap.) (18. Jemal Shatirishvili 59), 4. Beka Saginadze, 5. Giorgi Pridonishvili (19. Giorgi Nutsubidze 55), 6. Sandro Mamamtavrishvili (16. Guram Papidze 13-18; 22. Erekle Macharashvili 46), 7. Ilia Spanderashvili, 8. Shota Areshidze (24. Giorgi Elisashvili 54).
3 sin-binned: Ushangi Cheishvili, Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, Saba Svimonishvili
