Basketball Super League ended with victory of “Armia”- active champion of the country. In the fourth final serie extra match, “Armia” beat “Olimpi” a debutant club of the Super League with a big point-difference -91:67, in serie matches “Armia” won over “Olipi” 3:1 and became champion of Georgia the second times.
In this season, “Armia” besides becoming champion of Georgia, won Georgian Cup and Zurab Sakandelidze-Mikheil Korkia Memorial. Kote Tugushi’s players have chance to win one more prize- Super Cup named after Otar Korkia. In the decisive match, which is to be held at Tbilisi Sports Palace on May 30, “Armia” plays against finalist of the cup and bronze-medal winner “Kutaisi-2010”.
As for 2011-12 season tournament, Dudu Dadiani Memorial, “Armia” did not participate in this competition, because they were preparing for Euro-Challenge with special program.
It is remarkable that “Armia” also did well in qualifying round of Euro Challenge, with “Leiden” (Holland) they shared II-III places.
As far as you know “Armia” won this following tournament without any failure. In play-off quarter-final It beat TSSU, in semi-final “Sokhumi” -2:0. “Armia” lost only one match in the second match of final serie, the hero of this match became Giorgi (“Bu”) Tsintsadze player of Georgian national team and “Olympic”- two minutes before ending the match he scored two-point kick and brought victory to his club.
Unfortunately, in the first quarter of the fourth match of final serie Tsintsadze injured leg and could not manage to continue playing.
While Tsinstadze was playing, the clubs had transitional superiority. Milutinovic scored first but soon Jeremy Richardson scored for “Armia” and equalized and then advanced 7:2.
At the thirdminute, Tutus scored three-point kick and equalized and Mikheil Berishvili advanced his club 11:9.
The clubs had transitional superiority for some minutes. Richardson and Woodside did well and as a result “Armia” won the first quarter – 22:18.
After Tsintsadze’s leaving, Giorgi Gamkrelidze member of Georgian national team led “Olimpi”, but his teammates did not do well and he could not do anything else alone. It can be said that the first period was decisive, when “Armia” managed to win with 17-point difference-50:33.
“Armia” led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. “Armia” outrebounded “Olimpi” 41-25 including 29 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Ben Woodside, who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 8 assists and the other American import swingman Jeremy Richardson (200-G/F-84, college: Delta St.) who added 18 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Mikheil Berishvili responded with 20 points and 5 assists and Serbian center Ilija Milutinovic scored 9 points and 7 rebounds.
Kote Tugushi (head coach of “Armia”): “I gained the title of champion as a head coach for the first time. This day was very emotional for me. I thank everyone and first of all – my players. We had hard days and I am proud that I am a member of “Armia”. I thank all fans, our rival and journalists. We consider all your opinions and try to be better.
It is worth mentioning that this year was a very strong championship. Giorgi Tsintsadze and Giorgi Gamkrelidze played a key role in it. It is a pity that both of them are injured. Tsintsadze could not continue playing”.
Zviad Babiashvili (basketball player of “Armia”): “I became champion as a captain for the first time. I agree with the coach and I would say that we worked hard. Our rival competed well and was a worthy rival”.
Anatoli Boisa (basketball player of “Armia”): “We were leading for the whole season and it is logical that we won”.
Gia Kazanjian (head coach of “Olimpi”): “Armia” was stronger and deserved this victory. As for us, we gathered two weeks before the start of the tournament. So, I think we achieved good result. I held the season as a head coach of the first time. I gained a great experience and I hope it will help me in future. I want to thank all my players. We will try to show better result next season”.
Giorgi Gamkrelidze (basketball player of “Olimpi”): “Armia” is a quite strong team. I hope it will strengthen more and will compete in EuroChallenge successfully. I think, finals were interesting and I hope, it will be better next year”.
Roland Labuchidze
Rusudan Chumburidze
