On October 25, Georgian U-15 rugby team returned from the city of Switzerland, Geneva. Georgian team took the 2nd place at Sevens rugby tournament of world's capitals.
First in the history of Georgian rugby, U-15 team became finalist of international sevens tournament: on October 24, on the closing day of the tournament, South African and Georgian anthems were sung at "Budemond" stadium.
Irakli Svanidze, captain of Georgian U-15 team, was awarded with Cup. South Africans were awarded with the same Cup but it was bigger.
This tournament is held by initiative of French Rugby Union. This year the tournament was held in Geneva because of rugby development. Next year it will be held in Paris again.
Georgian U-15 team participated in this tournament for the first time. According to members of our delegation, the tournament was organized quite well. Rugby players were invited to the City Hall for supper. Young rugby players were invited to the hockey match between Zurich and Geneva teams.
Two groups with 6 teams participated in the tournament. Halves lasted for 7 minutes. Only semifinals and finals were held by two 7-minute halves. South Africa, Argentina, Portugal, French teams "Biarritz" and "Paris" were in the group with Georgia.
South Africa and Georgia won in the group. All teams had 4 wins and one loss. Scored tries decided the championship. Georgia needed to score 5 tries against Portugal to go through the next round. Young Georgian sportsmen scored 6 tries within 7 minutes against Portugal.
Referee did not count one try but Georgian team had enough points to go through the semifinal where our opponent was winner of the second group Argentina. Georgian rugby players beat South Americans easily and in the final they played against South Africa. Georgians lost 2:3 and took the 2nd place.
Georgian U-15 team gathered for the second time. Last year this age team was sent to international match for the first time. This tournament "Al’ouverture" was organized by French Rugby Union. It is held once in two years. Georgian players were in Vienna, then in Corsica, Bastia and Calvi. Because of financial difficulties, this age team were not sent to different tournaments.



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