Georgia and the example of Gareth Bale

After a tough classification on penalties in the play-off against Greece and now placed in group F with Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic, Georgia debuts in Germany in the final stage of the Euro Cup, between its level which seems lower than its rivals. and the reference of Wales Gareth Bale in 2016.

It was the last premiere that had the biggest impact on the continental competition, when the team dominated Chris Coleman went through the group stage, the round of 16 and the quarterfinals as a surprising team, without entering the predictions for more than a simple first participation in the final stage of Eurocup.

His performance was surpassed. Also to Bale, the leader of that team. The former player of real Madrid and of Tottenhamnow retired, has been outstanding since the first match, with one of the two goals as his team beat Slovakia on June 11, 2016. His goal tied Ondrej Duda. But he did well For example, Robson Kanu with a decisive 2-1.

Five days later, they lost to England (2-1)… But they won the qualifier on June 20, 2016 against Russia, which they overcame easily, with goals from Aaron Ramsey, Neil Taylor and Bale himself, who also won the round of 16 against Northern Ireland (1-0) and, above all, against Belgium in the quarterfinals by 3-1, when on July 1 of that year they added to their expression of surprise.

Even Nainggolan’s 0-1 draw did not slow them down. It was the 13th minute At half time Ashley Williams tied, in the 55th minute Robson-Kanu put Wales ahead and in the 85th minute Samuel Vokes was sentenced against Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Meunier, Jason Denayer, Toby Alderweireld, Yannick Carrasco, Axel Witsel. , Nainggolan , Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, in the starting eleven of their opponent.

Sagnol, on the bank; Kvarastheila, to attack

Georgia is the debutant today in the Euro Cup. His merits throughout the Nations League, apart from a play-off win against Luxembourg (2-0) and Greece (on penalties after 0-0), launched the team led from March 2021 by the former French international and world runner-up in 2006 Willy Sagnol at a level never before seen in his history as a national team, which dates back to 1992. He did not qualify for seven European finals.

Now yes, with Giorgio Mamardashvili to his purpose and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in their attack, the two most powerful references of the Georgian team, especially the last of them.

He is a massive winger, fast, agile, overflowing, conclusive and a scorer: 15 goals in 30 games with his national team. And author of 25 goals in the last two seasons with Naples.

Like Bale with Wales, he leads his team against the odds, against Cristiano Ronaldo and the dreaded Portugal, against Türkiye and against the Czech Republic. He had never faced the latter. Yes, they did it against the Portuguese team, once with a defeat (2-0), and against Turkey: one victory, one draw and three games lost against them.

In its 260 matches in its history as a national team, Georgia won 84, drew 52 and lost 123, from a 1-0 defeat on its debut against Lithuania on September 2, 1992 to a 1-3 victory on June 9 Montenegro.

Of their 80 qualifying duels for the Euro Cup, they won only 22, with 13 tied and 45 defeats. But, at the same time, in the last 25 matches under Sagnol, he won 15.

Since he was managed by the coach, he had 26 wins, six draws and lost twelve matches, but in the qualifying phase for Germany 2024 he finished fourth in the group against Spain, who beat him 7-1.

Their debut is on June 18 against Turkey, then they face the Czech Republic on June 22 and close their quartet on the 26th against Portugal. In the background, Wales’ success at Euro 2016. From Bale to Kvarastheila. Against all odds.