The Georgian national rugby union team defeated Portugal in Lisbon by a record score. The biggest difference was 6 points but the last time “The Lelos” played in Lisbon was in 2011 and of course, the Georgian rugby has developed more than the Portuguese one.
The Georgians won 34:9 and it was not even their best match. This match showed that No.9 is a great problem for our team. First, Giorgi Begadze and then, Vazha Khutsishvili made a lot of mistakes. Of course, a strong team would have forgiven us it but fortunately, everything finished well.
If not some mistakes and wrong decisions, “The Lelos” would have scored four tries and gained bonus point. However, the Georgians had a chance to score the fourth try. Two minutes were left before the end of the match and the rugby players were in 22 of Portugal but the French referee who judged the match well decided to finish the match.
I think criticizing our team is not right and the coaches will analyze those troubled episodes. The Georgians will hold the next match on “Boris Paichadze” in Tbilisi on February 22. In case of beating Russia, the Georgian and the Romanian national teams will guarantee playing in Great Britain.
It was raining at the beginning of the match but it cleared up in the middle of the first half. The referee awarded Portugal with penalty and Pedro Bettencourt scored it. Soon, the Georgians gained advantage in scrum and the hosts committed a foul. Merab Kvirikashvili restored balance from 25 meters/
Soon, the advantage of the guests became obvious. “The Lelos” did not give the opponent chance by aggressive play. Portugal committed another foul in scrum and Kvirikashvili scored from 40 meters. At the 20th minute Kvirikashvili scored another penalty and the Georgians were leading 9:3.
The hosts could not do anything. In the middle of the half Irakli Machkhaneli broke the line but his decision was not right and lost a chance of try. At the end of the half when the opponent committed foul in scrum Kvirikashvili threw the ball out. The Georgians chose scrum and Tedo Zibzibadze scored try. Last year Zibzibadze scored two tries against this team. The conversion was missed and the half finished 17:3.
The second half started like the first one and Portugal scored penalty but Kvirikashvili also scored penalty in two minutes. The hosts minimized the difference by penalty at the 51st minute but they could not do more. The Georgian rugby players felt advantage and started playing on tries.
Kvirikashvili scored the second try at the 58th minute. Giorgi Shkinini had a chance to score try in seven minutes.
At the 70th minute the back liners started a good offence and the third try was scored. Vazha Khutsishvili assisted Lasha Khmaladze who gave the ball to Tamaz Mchedlishvili. He ran 25 meters and assisted Lasha Malaghuradze who gave the ball to Davit Kacharava and he scored try. Kvirikashvili used conversion and earned 24 points in this match and overall, 515 points.
The Georgian national team tried to score the fourth try and was close to the goal but the referee finished the match and “The Lelos” gained only four points. So, the Georgians gained the leadership.
If the Georgians win over Russia on February 22, “The Lelos” and Romania will guarantee playing at the 2015 World Cup. In the last matches they will fight for the first place in the qualifying round.
It is important to win the 2014 Nations Cup because the winner will play the host team on “Aviva” in Ireland in November. In England the winner will be in the group with New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and the winner of the African qualifying round.
The 2014 European Nations Cup. The 2015 World Cup qualifying
II circle. II round
February 8. Saturday
Lisbon. “Estadio Universitario”.
Portugal – Georgia 9:34 (3:17)
Portugal: 15. Antonio Aguilar. 14. Gonçalo Foro, 13. Pedro Bettencourt Avila, 12. Jose Lima, 11. Carl Murray (23. Nuno P. Costa 70), 10. Diogo Miranda (21. Luis Salema 76), 9. Emmanuel Rebelo (22. Francis P. Magalhaes 73); 1. Jorge Segurado (18. Bruno Medeiros 76), 2. Mike Tadjer (17. Joao Correia 67), 3. Bruno Rocha (16. Anthony Alves 56), 4. Eric Santos, 5. Gonçalo Uva (20. Rui D'Orey 67), 6. Aurélien Béco, 7.Fernando Almeida (19. Kevin Costa 53), 8. Vasco Uva.
3 penalties: Avila
Head coach: Frederico Sousa
Georgia: 15. Merab Kvirikashvili, 14. Irakli Machkhaneli, 13. Davit Kacharava, 12. Tedo Zibzibadze (23. Tamaz Mchedlidze 66), 11. Giorgi Shkinini, 10. Lasha Khmaladze (22. Lasha Malaghuradze 67), 9. Giorgi Begadze (21. Vazha Khutsishvili 41); 1. Mikheil Nariashvili (17. Zurab Zhvania 51), 2. Shalva Mamukashvili (16. Jaba Bregvadze 51), 3. Levan Chilachava (18. Anton Peikrishvili 51), 4. Kote Mikautadze (19. Giorgi Nemsadze 61), 5. Levan Datunashvili, 6. Vito Kolelishvili, 7. Giorgi Chkhaidze (20. Shalva Sutiashvili 61), 8. Dimitri Basilaia.
3 tries: Zibzibadze, Kvirikashvili, Kacharava
2 conversions: Kvirikashvili
5 penalties: Kvirikashvili
Head coach: Milton Haig
Referee: Cedric Marchat (France)
Assistant referees: Jean-Luc Rebollal, Eric Soulan (both France)
Russia - Romania 3:34
Spain – Belgium 11:6
| 1 | Georgia | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 204-70 | 28 |
| 2 | Romania | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 172-68 | 28 |
| 3 | Russia | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 141-175 | 18 |
| 4 | Spain | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 108-163 | 10 |
| 5 | Portugal | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 84-154 | 7 |
| 6 | Belgium | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 98-177 | 6 |
The next round. February 22
Georgia - Russia
Romania - Spain
Belgium - Portugal
Zura Ksovreli
