After the final buzzer of the game between Georgian and Bulgarian national basketball teams, guests were celebrating victory, while hosts were shocked. Yesterday just after the end of the match we have introduced you the comments made by coaches and players. Furthermore, today we are going to let you know what was happening after the match.
Igor Kokoshkov (Head coach of team Georgia): We have arrived here to win but we were not sure in success, however. That is why I am very happy with this victory. Bulgaria is a strong team and we knew that very, very tough battle was awaiting us. Home side deserves respect, as they played with dignity till the end. Main reason of why we succeeded was the right game tactic. Important thing is that warm team atmosphere and increased battle caprice is present in our team. We have realized very important chances in decisive moments; when Bulgarians failed to score couple of times – we scored vital points. Georgian national team is not disturbed by the current group standings; however, do not consider this (statement) as we don’t want to qualify from the group. Simply, we do not look at the standings as we move step-by-step towards the success. Now our main target is the game in Poland and we are concentrated only on this match. Everything is yet to be decided in the group. I wish good luck to Bulgaria.”
Zaza Pachulia (Captain of team Georgia): Just like our coach said, we are very happy with this win. I knew that we are going to have tough battle. My assumption was based upon the last two meetings' experience against Bulgarians. 9 years ago I have played my first match and about 3-4 years ago I visited Bulgaria for the friendly game. I said to my teammates that victory will not be easy to achieve. Team of Georgia was perfectly prepared for this game. Moreover, we have learned the game style of our opponents, which helped us pretty well during the game. Players were trying all they could in order to follow coaches' directions. Of course we had bad times during the game, but in the end, we did it. “
Rosen Barchovski (Head Coach of team Bulgaria): A very bad result was recorded for us. We really needed a home win, so we could found ourselves in a good position from group standings perspective. Our defensive line was not as good as it was during the preparation period. Practically, we stopped Pachulia who has an average of 21 points but scored 12 against us. We managed to stop Georgians in the paint; however, problems came from the three point line. Upon this game, Georgians made only 27% of the three pointers, while today they scored 9 three pointers with a 45% shooting percentage. We were not prepared for this. I do not want to justify my team, but injured players played somewhat role. Philip Videnov, twin brothers Dejan and Kalojan Ivanov were not fit and did not manage to place themselves in the team rhythm. We were expecting more from American Earl Calloway, but I cannot find him guilty as he was over tired. Everybody should be active in order to achieve victory. 1 or 2 active players is not enough to win. Despite the defeat, we are going to fight will the end. I do not see difficult to achieve victories in Poland and Georgia.
Chavdar Kostov (Player of team Bulgaria): We have studied Georgian team game play. Coaches made a good job. Bulgarian national team was in front numerous of times, but due to the childish mistakes and bad defensive play we could not hold on to the lead. I think we did not play bad, but it was not our best match, however. We needed luck in the end, which did not appear.
