The Georgian national basketball team started EuroBasket with victory. The team of Ilias Zouros beat Lithuania, the team, which is a favorite of EuroBasket and the Georgians took revenge. Two years ago the Lithuanians defeated us in a dramatic game in 1/8 final.

The Georgian basketball players fought in all parts of the court and they proved once again that we should expect a lot from them.

The first quarter finished 18:18. The start of the second quarter was not good for us – the Lithuanians started well, the Georgians made lots of mistakes and the Baltic players made 8:0 run. Slowly Georgia woke up and began earning points. Finally, Lithuania won the first half with a 5-point advantage. It was not bad for us because in the middle of the second quarter Giorgi Tsintsadze injured ankle and was not able to help the team.

The second half started perfectly for the Georgians. They managed to go ahead after Zaza Pachulia’s 2-point – 42:40. Finally, the third quarter turned out to be decisive – Georgia won this quarter with 7 points – 59:57.

The finish was amazing. Shengelia who was the best player of the game was unstoppable.

1 minute and 22 seconds before the final siren Manuchar Markoishvili scored 2 points and advanced our team (76:74). Then, Michael Dixon scored 2 points and 20 seconds before the end of the game we were winning with 4 points.

Kuzminskas missed 3-point but Tornike Shengelia received foul and the leader of the Lithuanian national team had to shoot 3 free throws. He scored 1 from 3 free throws but Maciulis added and scored 2 points.

8 (!) seconds before the end of the game we were winning one point and Lithuania committed a foul on Dixon – Michael scored 1 from 2 free throws - 79:77.

Lithuania decided to score 3-point and win the game but Maciulis missed and the Georgian national basketball team gained a historic victory!

Tornike Shengelia earned 29 points. Zaza Pachulia gained 8 points, 10 rebounds. Duda Sanadze and Michael Dixon also earned more than 10 points.

Georgia will hold the next game against Germany on September 2. The game will start at 16:45 Tbilisi time.

Lithuania - Georgia 77:79 (18:18, 21:16, 18:25, 20:20)

Lithuania: Kalnietis (32:58 min, 15 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast). Maciulis (20:26 min, 9 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast). Gecevicius (29:23 min, 7 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast). Kuzminskas (27:09 min, 18 pts, 7 reb, 1 ast). Valanciunas (28:41 min, 9 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast). Juskevicius (7:03 min, 2 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast). Motiejunas (12:50 min, 4 pts, 1 ast). Milaknis (10:31 min, 4 pts, 1 ast). Ulanovas (19:40 min, 7 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast). Gudaitis (11:19 min, 2 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast).

Statistics: 28/63 (44%), 2-point: 20/36%, 3-point: 8/27 (30%), Free throws: 13/22 (59%), Offensive rebounds: 15, Defensive rebounds: 23, Total rebounds: 38. Assists: 18, Points – 77.

Georgia: Dixon (36:50 min, 12 pts, 3 reb, 7 ast). Pachulia (23:16 min, 8 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast). Tsintsadze (13:09 min, 2 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast). Markoishvili (35:14 min, 6 pts, 3 reb). Shengelia (36:01 min, 29 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast). Londaridze (01:35 min). Berishvili (05:33 min, 0 pts, 1 reb). Sanadze (27:38 min, 13 pts, 2 reb). Shermadini (19:08 min, 9 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast). Gamkrelidze (01:32 min), Boisa (00:04 seconds).

Statistics: 26/59 (44%), 2-point: 23/44 (52%), 3-point: 3/15 (20%), Free throws: 24/29 (83%). Offensive rebounds: 10, Defensive rebounds: 22, Total rebounds: 32. Assists: 15, Points - 79.