EuroBasket 2015 qualification starts on August 10. On this day the Georgian national basketball team will face Czech Republic. “Crusaders” need to win with big score. Georgia and Czech Republic are in the group with Hungary and Portugal. 21 basketball players were in the expanded composition of the Georgian national team. The team started meeting in Tbilisi. Then, they continued preparation in Slovenia and finished with Mayor’s Cup in Tbilisi. The hosts beat all three guests Great Britain, Moldova and Belarus and won the tournament.
Manuchar Markoishvili and Ricky Hickman could not participate in the meeting due to injuries. As for Giorgi Shermadini, he joined the team later and will be able to help his teammates from the second round. Oto Pkhakadze is injured and may not play against Czech Republic. Unfortunately, Markoishvili and Hickman will miss the qualifying round. Revaz Rogava, Lasha Pargalava, Irakli Chlaidze and Akaki Dvalishvili left the meeting early. So, 15 basketball players (Zaza Pachulia, Tornike Shengelia, Giorgi Tsintsadze, Viktor Sanikidze, Levan Patsatsia, Nika Metreveli, Beka Tsivtsivadze, Mikheil Chochua, Mikheil Berishvili, Duda Sanadze, Oto Pkhakadze, Beka Burjanadze, Giorgi Sharabidze, Giorgi Shermadini, Beso Lejava) will play in the qualifying round.
“World Sport” put some questions to Zaza Pachulia, captain of the Georgian national team.
- What can you tell us about tomorrow’s Georgia-Czech Republic game?
- Tomorrow’s game is very important for both teams, especially for us because we are playing home. We must win with big score.
- Czech Republic will not also play with the full composition. How do you estimate chances?
- Anyway, each member of our team must do their best.
- What can you say about other participants of the group?
- Basketball level has increased in Europe and not only there. So, we should be careful with Hungary and Portugal. We made through to the final tournament of EuroBasket twice in a row and fans will not forgive us failure this time.
Also, I want to ask fans to come and support us in home games.
Roland Labuchidze
