Georgian national rugby team will hold the last match in Tbilisi this year. Georgians will play against Romanians at European Nations Cup and will try to equalize the score. Rugby players stated that they would do their best as usual and they would show interesting match to spectators.
This will be the last match of “The Lelos” which they will play in their homeland and all fans will have chance to see boys off to Sochi against Russians. Fans have to do two things for it – they should go to “Mikheil Meskhi” at 15:00 on March 12. Tickets prize is 2 GEL. Georgian and Romanian teams will play against each other at World Cup in New Zealand and ticket prize will be 50 times expensive than this time. I am sure that the stadium will be full with spectators. Georgian and Romanian teams are rivals. Last year, Romanians beat Georgians in Bucharest and won “Nations Cup” and “Antimoz Iverieli Cup”. Now, Georgians are fighting for returning these cups. If “The Lelos” beat its opponent and score 4 tries, they will win “Nations Cup” one round earlier before the end of the tournament.
It is worth mentioning that Georgian national team which is in the 15th place at world ranking, will move up to the 14th place. After one week, Georgians will try to improve the rating against Russians in Sochi.
“We have prepared physically. We are losing against Romanians 4:5 and we will try to win the 5th match. To tell the truth, we do not think about scoring 4 tries and to win Nations Cup one round earlier. I prefer to beat them even with one point, then to beat Russians in Sochi and to win Nations Cup” – stated Davit Zirakashvili, the best player of Georgia 2010 and member of the national team.
Romanians beat Georgians 8 times and “The Lelos” won 5 times. Romanians won European “Nations Cup” 4 times and Georgians – 3 times. Portugal won the cup once. If we beat Romanians and if Portugal does not score 4 tries against Spain, Georgia will win “Nations Cup” 2011 one round earlier before the end of the tournament.
After losing against Portugal in the first round, Romanians’ match against Ukraine was postponed because of bad weather. In the previous round, Romanians beat Russians 33:3 but could not score 4 tries.
“Georgian national team started “Nations Cup” well. They beat Ukraine and Spain with great advantage and then they won over Portugal. We lost against Portugal. Tomorrow’s match will be difficult for both teams. I think we are prepared. We had some injuries. We are preparing for World Cup and we are observing 35-40 sportsmen. Georgian team has progress but they also have weak points and we will use it” – stated Romeo Gontyneak, head of Romanian national rugby union team. He has played at World Cup 4 times. Now, he is coaching the team.
“Traditionally, match between Georgian and Romanian teams are tense. We respect our opponent. Georgian players play for the best French clubs. But we will play devotedly” – added captain Sorin Socol.
Head coach and rugby players of Georgian national team were dissatisfied with the match against Portugal. Now they promise that they will do their best to show beautiful match and to leave the field as winners. “The Lelos” have not lost match in Georgia since 2004.
“In spite of winning previous 3 matches, we were dissatisfied with the match against Portugal. Now, we will try to improve our mistake. Romanian team is strong. They beat Russians 33:3. We will do our best to beat the opponent” – stated head coach of Georgian national team Richard Dixon.
Davit Kacharava, player of Georgian national team, hurt knee at the training on Friday. But he will be in the main staff on Saturday and he believes that they will not make the same mistakes and will show better result – “We are planning to improve previous mistakes in the match against Portugal. We should show beautiful match to spectators and we must win this match”.
“We trained hard during the whole week. Mamuka Gorgodze will play in this match. He is a great strength for the team. We will do our best to achieve success” – added captain Irakli Abuseridze.
After the end of the press conference, head coach and players of “The Lelos” presented jerseys of KOOGA firm. “The Lelos” will play with these jerseys at World Cup. Jerseys are in one color. “The Lelos” will play in New Zealand with red or white jerseys. The team will not put on new jerseys before the start of World Cup and Dixon hopes that new jerseys will bring success to the team.
European “Nations Cup”. IV round
March 12. Tbilisi. “Mikheil Meskhi”
Georgia – Romania (15:00)
Georgia: 15. Besik Khamashuridze (“Aia”, Kutaisi, 56 caps, 65 points), 14. Irakli Machkhaneli (“Macon”, France, 46, 85), 13. Davit Kacharava (“Nice”, France, 41, 55), 12. Tedo Zibzibadze (“Perigueux”, France, 54, 75), 11. Lekso Gugava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi, 18, 20), Merab Kvirikashvili (“Figeac”, France, 50, 245), 9. Irakli Abuseridze (“Auxerre”, France, 70, 35), 1. Davit Khinchagishvili (“Brive”, France, 33, 15), 2. Jaba Bregvadze (“Army”, Gori, 10, 0), 3. Davit Zirakashvili (“Clermont”, France, 26, 30), 4. Levan Datunashvili (“Figeac”, France, 40, 10), 5. Vakhtang Maisuradze (“Saint Nazaire”, France, 3, 0), 6. Shalva Sutiashvili (“Massy”, France, 18, 5), 7. Gia Labadze (“Marseille Vitrolles”, France, 64, 60), 8. Mamuka Gorgodze (“Montpellier”, France, 35, 90).
Reserves: 16. Irakli Natriashvili (“Steaua”, Romania, 31, 20), 17. Giorgi Jgenti (“Montpellier”, France, 9, 0), 18. Giorgi Nemsadze (“Montauban”, France, 17, 25), 19. Giorgi Chkhaidze (“Montpellier”, France, 46, 30), 20. Bidzina Samkharadze (“Steaua”, Romania, 54, 25), 21. Irakli Chkhikvadze (“Aia”, Kutaisi, 22, 20), 22. Lasha Malaguradze (“Beziers”, France, 30, 100).
Head coach: Richard Dixon (Scotland)
Romania: 15. Iulian Durmitas (“Lourdes”, France), 14. Madalin Lemnaru (“Timisoara”), 13. Ionel Cazan (“Steaua”), 12. Robert Descalu (“Steaua”), 11. Catalin Fercu (“Timisoara”), 10. Florin Vlaicu (“Steaua”), 9. Florin Suruju (“Bucharest”), 1. Nicolae Nere (“Steaua”), 2. Bogdan Zebega (“Steaua”), 3. Dragos Dima (“Blagnac”, France), 4. Valentin Ursache (“Aix en Provence”, France), 5. Cristian Petre (“Saint Etienne”, France), 6. Mihai Macovei (“Baia Mare”), 7. Daniel Ianus (“Steaua”), 8. Daniel Carpo (“Constanca”).
Reserves: 16. Adrei Radoi (“Baia Mare”), 17. Vasile Mariskariu (“Bobin” France), 18. Sorin Socol (“Lourdes”, France), 19. Valentin Popirlan (“Bucharest”), 20. Valentin Calafeteanu (“Timisoara”), 21. Csaba Gal (“Baia Mare”), 22. Danut Dumbrava (“Steaua”).
Head Coach: Romeo Gontineac
Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)
Assistants: Michael Black, Oliver Hodges (both Ireland)
Ukraine – Russia (17:00)
Spain – Portugal (19:00)
1. Georgia 3 3 0 0 135-15 14
2. Portugal 3 2 0 1 57-49 9
3. Spain 3 1 0 2 59-101 6
4. Romania 2 1 0 1 50-27 5
5. Russia 3 1 0 2 50-78 5
6. Ukraine 2 0 0 2 16-97 0
Round V, March 19
Russia– Georgia
Romania– Spain
Portugal- Spain
Zura Ksovreli
