Five years ago beach rugby appeared in Georgia and became vey popular due to very dynamic and fine playing. Its popularity grows day-by-day. This summer professional and amateur rugby players gathered at the sea-side and this tournament as well as 2010 one was hosted in Batumi, but this it tournament was much better organized. Organizers of this tournament, team’s whole staff and VIP guests stayed at the same hotel. Matches were held in new district in front of boulevard. Minister of Georgian Sport and Youth Affairs Lado Varzelashvili and other officials from Adchara government attended opening of first pitch of beach spots. After some formalities, tournament started. Beach rugby differs from other rugby disciplines with small staff, little playing period and dynamics. Beach rugby matches always are held in resorts, on the beaches. DJ tries to enjoy viewers with music, which does not stop even during playing. Between matches there are held some shows. The same was in Batumi.
On the first day 1200-place tribune was full and was strong support. Professionals, amateurs and women’s matches were held one after another. Rugby players after tiring matches were trying to restore energy for the next matches in the sea.
There were 10 teams of professionals. Tbisili clubs - “Kochebi”, “TBC”, “Devebi” “Xuligana”, “Academy” and “Armazi”. There also were Kutaisi “Aia”, Gori “Lions”, Poti “Raindebi” and Batumi “Batumi 15” these clubs were competing in two sub-groups. Each group consisted of 5 teams. Sub-group matches finished in the morning on Sunday.2-2 teams won the right in Cup fighting. Decisive matches were held in the evening on Sunday. Kutaisi “Aia” and Batumi “Batiumi 15” went through the final. Kutaisi team won “Xuligana” with gained object 2:1 at the end of the match. Famous Georgian rugby players Besik Khamashuridzr and Irakli Chkhikvadze were in a staff of Kutaisi “Aia”, Giorgi Shkinin in “Xuligana”. There was some incident after final whistle. Some rugby players got angry due to referee’s mistakes and physically insulted him. Organizers due to such behavior excluded “Xuligana” from the tournament. In the semi-final “Batumi15” beat “Academy”.
During the match between “Batumi 15” and Kutaisi “Aia” was heavy rain and due to it less spectators attended to this match. Kutaisi team beat “Batumi 15” 3:2 and won beach rugby championship second time.
There were 8 teams of amateur rugby players, these teams are the following: “Procredit Bank”, formula “Creative”, “SPA” which staff were soldiers, National Bank, veteran rugby players, “Cinema beach”, “TU veteranies”, “Natakhtari kasri” which staff were sport journalists.
Before the start was said that “SPA” is experienced in competing rugby championship of Georgian Army and next year would be better if they participated among professionals. Experienced “Spa” played against “Veteranies” and gained 6 objects. Sport journalists from the 1 group played till semi-final. From the 2nd group “Creative” and “TU veteranies “ went through semi-final and they were about to fight for the 3th place but “Creative “refused due to injuries in their team.
There was held mini-tournament between 3 women teams. Tbilisi “Jvarosnebi”, Kutaisi rugby school and Baku “Caspyis katebi” participated in tournament. “Jvarosnebi” held and won two matches on the first day and became champions. Kutaisi team beat Baku and won the 2nd place.
Traditional the 3 rd half was hosted by hotel bar. The general sponsor of this tournament “Natakhtari” hosted participants with “Natakhtari kasri’ and sponsor “Teliani velly” with vain. “Procredit Bank”, Centre-Point “and “Oriflame” awarded sportsmen with special prizes. Beach Rugby Championship 2011 will be held again in Batumi.
Otar Maglakelidze
