Today Georgian national basketball team will face Poland in a city of Lodz. Georgia has 3 wins in the account while Poland has two, with both teams losing each throughout the qualification stage so far. Poland shares third and fourth spots with Bulgaria in the Group C with Georgia on top.

In a first game between those two Igor Kokoshkov’s fellows overcame the opponent with a solid 19 points advantage. On the other hand, Polish side beat Belgium with a 20 point margin in their last home game and is ready to take revenge against Georgia.

One of the Georgia’s coaches David Ustiashvili expected a tough battle today while giving an interview to the Georgian Basketball Federation official website.  He discussed the last meeting with Bulgaria also.

Victory over Bulgaria was very important from the group standings perspective. The most important thing is that we have achieved satisfactory result against a team that practically never loses at home. Bulgarians hadn’t lost quiet a time at their home ground.

- What was the main factor of winning the game?

- There are several factors which are because of which we won. We were relatively mobilized before the game. We have produced a good team work in Sofia as well as showing great defensive play and making long range shots. We all know how Manuchar Markoishvili is good at shooting. However, a player could be on fire during one game and may not find a target in another. “Manu” has performed well in Bulgaria. His precise shots played a huge role in our victory.

- Georgian team was looking solid physically…

- Our team was prepared physically as psychologically. There were a couple of episodes when Bulgarians were ahead of us however Georgians were holding the game in control and played very confidently, which was a decisive factor. Bulgarians were prepared physically also.

- After the first round matches we are in the first place, however we await a hard battle in the further matches.

- Polish players know that they cannot lose. After tomorrow's game they will have to play away in Belgium and Portugal and then host Bulgaria. Victory is important for us as well. By winning this one we will secure the first place and will have to play two home games along with one away in Portugal… Therefore, today’s game is worth a lot for the both teams.

- Have you seen Poland game after they lost in Tbilisi?

- The last game which Poland won over Belgium was seen by the coaching stuff and analyzed with the team players. Despite the fact that we defeated Poland by 19 points in Tbilisi, they have proved their strength against Belgium. They have got three top class basketball players.

- What is our main goal for this match?

- To be maximum mobilized in a defensive line. Short as well as tall players that are present in opponent’s squad should be stopped. Polish team is filled with various players. If you will only think about blocking center forwards, danger will come from a perimeter. That is why we take every player seriously.

- Will Zaza Pachulia play?

- He had a pain in his foot; however it is over now and he is preparing with a team for the game against Poland.

P.S. It seems that Zaza Pachulia’s question of playing in tomorrow’s clash will be revealed just before the game. According to Georgian Basketball Federation President, Pachulia still has a foot pain and even went through an X-ray procedure. Zaza has missed the last practice as well. In case Pachulia will not be fit, Giorgi Shermadini will be responsible for stopping Marcin Gortat tomorrow.