No one expected failure with Holland, but happened that, what would not happen. After three victories in a row, fans expected another victory. After the match against Holland, there was not held press-conference in Almere- hosts did not have desire of it, because even they did not expect victory and they were shocked with happiness. After the match a lot of colleagues and fans came to us – with me and with my colleagues they directly were saying that they did not expect victory. Even coaches did not expect victory.

And why we lost?

After the match no one had time for commenting- members of Georgian national team they were very disappointed. 130 Georgians attend this match (most of them were local Georgians) and all of them applaused them. In spite of failure, the fans were giving storm applause and encouraging- do not worry, get ready for Romania and Bosnia..

Several Dutch veteran basketball players told that the reason of the failure was tiring, because actually 7 men played in all the tree matches. Referees also supported Dutch team, but it expected.  We lost because Holland was outsider and it is difficult to be completely mobilized and focused on victory and to do your best in such occasion.

It goes without saying that there were mistakes of Georgian national team. In addition, injured Sainikidze also did not participate in this match.

There were some other reasons too, which caused our failure. But now it is necessary to analyze why we lost and why we complicated situation, afterwards we have to get ready for Romania and Bosnia and finally for revange against Holland.

Supposedly, it is necessary to correct tactic and balance staff.

As for Kokoskov, we warmly shook hands each other and talked a little with help of translator. The same happened in Tallinn, on July 29-31, when I was supporting Georgian national team with local Georgians (most of them are IDPs from Aphkhazia) he was little bit surprised that journalist was supporting the team at the same time.

I decided not to give any question to Kokoskov in Almere, because due to some reasons he does not make comments yet. In spite of this I wanted to ask him to make some comment for fans after the match in case of victory, but we lost and when he was leaving Sports Palace he seemed very disappointed and that’s why changed my mind.

To my mind coaching board will analyze mistakes very well and they will meet September 2 and 5 more mobilized against Romania and Bosnia.

Statistics of Georgian team:

23 points - Zaza Pachulia
20 - Shengelia
16 - Pullen
15 - Manuchar Markoishvili
9 - Tsintsadze
3 - Patsatsia

9-9 rebounds - Shengelia, Pachulia
4 – Tsintsadze.

Latvia- Romania 89:53

  Tengiz Pachkoria from Almere
special for worldsport.ge

 Photo by Khatuna Gabitashvili