Georgian national rugby union team beat Romania 18:11 in the 4th round of European “Nations Cup” and returned the lost “Antimoz Iverieli” Cup. After 4 hours, Spain won over Portugal and “The Lelos” became winner of “Nations Cup” 2011 one round earlier before the end of the tournament.
Considering the strength of the opponent, first 20 minutes were enough for Georgian team to achieve victory. In first quarter, “The Lelos” did everything well. They scored 2 tries and advanced 15:0. Spectators expected “The Lelos” to win with a big difference but Georgians gained only 3 points in last 60 minutes but it was enough for victory.
Advantages and disadvantages of Georgian team were shown in the matches against Portugal and Romania. “The Lelos” are weak in attack and in spite of that they scored 22 tries within 4 matches (10 against Ukraine, 9 against Spain, 1 against Portugal and 2 against Romania), their advantages were not showed in result well. Georgian team has perfect defence and only 1 try was scored against them. Though, if opponents had played well they could have used mistakes of Georgians.
Georgians gained first point at the beginning of the match when Merab Kvirikashvili scored penalty from 38 meters.
Soon after, Georgians scored try. It was Zirakashvili who scored it and Kvirikashvili used conversion. The match was resumed and Georgians owned the ball again. Besik Khamashuridze scored the second try but this time Kvirikashvili could not score conversion – 15:0.
After this, Georgians made mistakes in attack and defence. Especially, in the second half when Romanians played more actively.
In the middle of the first half, Florin Vlaicu had a chance to reduce the difference but he missed the penalty from 25 meters. But after 5 minutes he scored it – 3:15. Soon, Kvirikashvili won a chance to take penalty but he missed it. Then, Georgians could not use two moments to score tries. “The Lelos” played well in defence and won the first half with a 9-point difference.
The guests controlled the ball in the second half. They had two chances to minimize the score with penalties but Vlaicu missed both chances. Then, Kvirikashvili scored penalty – 18:6. Ten minutes before the end of the match, Romanians scored try. Referee could not see it and asked for video but because of not having it, he trusted linesman. Calafeteanu could not use conversion but the rest of the time was quite tense.
The match was played mostly on the half of Romanians. Kvirikashvili missed penalty and “The Oaks” could not cross central line. “The Lelos” had a chance to score try but they could not use it and the match ended up.
It must be said that spectators played key role in the victory of Georgians. The stadium was almost crowded. After the match, rugby players thanked fans for their support.
“I want to thank fans who supported us till the end. They played key role in our victory. I am happy that we returned “Antimoz Iverieli” Cup. Romania is the strongest opponent in our group and we knew that this match would have been difficult. Fortunately, everything ended up well” – stated captain Irakli Abuseridze who did not know yet that soon Georgia would have become official winner of “Nations Cup”.
Richard Dixon (head coach of Georgian team): “Boys were happy because a lot of fans came to watch the match. We started the match well and scored good tries but then we made some mistakes. Though, we played well in defence. In second half, we lost control over the ball. In spite of it, I am happy that we continue successful series. We will play better in the next matches. I am sure that Romania and Georgia will show different match at World Cup.
I think, injury of Labadze is not serious and we will play with optimum staff against Russia”.
Romeo Gontineac (head coach of Romanian team): “We expected difficult match against Georgia. The fate of the match was decided in first 15 minutes when Georgians scored 2 tries. Your team won the first half and we won the second one. Georgians played well in defence and that is why we lost this match. We will try to show another match at World Cup”.
Sorin Socol (captain of Romanian team): “Some of our leading players could not play in this match. Georgians had optimum staff. Besides that, a lot of fans supported you. We will be alone in New Zealand and another match will be played there. Today, Georgians beat us and they scored two tries”.
The match between Spain and Portugal started 4 hours after the Georgia-Romania match. The hosts scored try at the beginning of the match and used conversion, Spain advanced 7:0. Soon, the guests scored penalty and at the 20th minute, they scored try and used conversion – 10:7. At the 31st minute, Spain equalized the score and at the 37th minute, the team won the half with penalty – 13:10. In the second half, Spain scored 4 penalties and won 25:10.
In this round, Russia visited Ukraine, scored 6 tries and one penalty, used 4 conversions and won 41:5.
“There were some mistakes in this match. Though, victory made us happy. We will try to improve our mistakes and to play better against Georgia. Georgia is not a strong opponent only for us. We will fight for victory till the end”, - stated Nikolay Nerush, head coach of Russian national rugby union team, after the match.
European “Nations Cup” 2011-12. IV round
March 12. Tbilisi. “Mikheil Meskhi”. 23 000
Georgia – Romania 18:11 (15:6)
Georgia: 15. Besik Khamashuridze, 14. Irakli Machkhaneli, 13. Davit Kacharava, 12. Tedo Zibzibadze, 11. Lekso Gugava, 10. Merab Kvirikashvili, 9. Irakli Abuseridze; 1. Davit Khinchagishvili (17. Giorgi Jgenti 60), 2. Jaba Bregvadze (16. Irakli Natriashvili 68), 3. Davit Zirakashvili, 4. Levan Datunashvili, 5. Vakhtang Maisuradze (18. Giorgi Nemsadze 75), 6. Gia Labadze (19. Giorgi Chkhaidze 38), 7. Shalva Sutiashvili, 8. Mamuka Gorgodze.
Reserves: 20. Bidzina Samkharadze, 21. Irakli Chkhikvadze, 22. Lasha Malaguradze.
2 tries: Zirakashvili, Khamashuridze
1 conversion: Kvirikashvili
2 penalties: Kvirikashvili
Head coach: Richard Dixon (Scotland)
Romania: 15. Iulian Durmitas, 14. Madalin Lemnaru, 13. Ionel Cazan, 12. Robert Descalu, 11. Catalin Fercu, 10. Florin Vlaicu, 9. Florin Suruju, 1. Nicolae Nere, 2. Bogdan Zebega, 3. Dragos Dima, 4. Valentin Ursache, 5. Cristian Petre, 6. Mihai Macovei, 7. Daniel Ianus, 8. Daniel Carpo.
Reserves: 16. Adrei Radoi, 17. Vasile Mariskariu, 18. Sorin Socol, 19. Valentin Popirlan, 20. Valentin Calafeteanu, 21. Csaba Gal, 22. Danut Dumbrava.
1 try: Popirlan
2 penalties: Vlaicu
Head Coach: Romeo Gontineac
Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)
Assistants: Michael Black, Oliver Hodges (both Ireland)
Ukraine- Russia 5:41
Spain- Portugal 25:10
1. Georgia 4 4 0 0 153-26 18
2. Russia 4 2 0 2 91-83 10
3. Spain 4 2 0 2 84-111 10
4. Portugal 4 2 0 2 67-74 9
5. Romania 3 1 0 2 61-45 6
6. Ukraine 3 0 0 3 21-138 0
V round. March 19
Russia– Georgia (Sochi)
Romania– Spain
Portugal- Spain
Zura Ksovreli
