Unfortunately, it happened which everybody was afraid of. Four participants (Nika Tskitishvili, Vladimer Boisa, Giorgi Gamkrelidze, Lasha Parghalava) of Euro-2011 final tournament are left beyond the national team. In this case, you must pray that all players of the national team to be healthy and not to get injured. Zaza Pachulia, central forward of the Georgian national team, might not play in the game against Romania in the qualifying round of Euro-2013.

Zaza has injured leg muscle and it got worsened in Germany. That is why he missed the game against Germany. If Zaza does not play, debutant Richard Matiashvili will substitute him. We respect “Richo” but it will be difficult for the debutant to hold this game well. On August 18 Georgian national team will start participation in Euro-2013 qualifying. “Crusaders” will play for getting in Euro-2013 which will be hosted by Slovenia on September 4-22, 2013. The Georgian team is holding the last stage of meeting which started on July 1. Our team held 8 test matches in the preparation period. The team won four (Estonia (twice), Belarus, Ukraine) and lost four (USA college teams, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany).

Coaching staff of “Crusaders” chose 12 basketball players (Giorgi Tsintsadze, Jacob Pullen, Manuchar Markoishvili, Anatoli Boisa, Beso Lezhava, Levan Patsatsia, Viktor Sanikidze, Tornike Shengelia, Nika Metreveli, Zaza Pachulia, Giorgi Shermadini, Richard Matiashvili) for Euro-2013 qualifying. Other two sportsmen, Akaki Dvalishvili and Cory Fisher will be with the team too.

Yesterday, the Georgian team held open practicing before the game against Romania. “World Sport” talked to coaching staff and basketball players of the national team.
 

Kote Tugushi (assistant of head coach Igor Kokoskov)
- Will Zaza play against Romania?

-         Unfortunately, Zaza is injured. He will be in the list and perhaps, he will play in case of necessary.

-         How do you think, will we need help of Zaza?

-         We considered Romania as an outsider of the group but the team defeated Holland. The game will show everything.

-         In the first round of Group “D” Bosnia won over Latvia only with three points (87:84). Outsider Romania beat Holland 90:84. Did you expect such start in our group?

-         Basketball level has risen in Europe. I would not have been surprised if Bosnia had lost.

-         How many games must you win to take the first place in the group?

-         6 from 8 games.

-         What can you say about failure against Germany?

-         Germany is quite strong team without Nowitzki and Kaman and one of the best in Europe.

-         How do you estimate our team?

-         Tbilisi tournament proved that we are not weak team.
 

Zaza Pachulia
- How do you feel yourself?
- I have injured muscle and I do not know if I will play against Romania.
- What can you say about our opponents in Group “D”?
- There are not leaders in our group and each game is very important.
 

Viktor Sanikidze
- You earned 2-2 points against Ukraine and Germany. We did not expect it from you…

- We had advantage against Ukraine. We were tired with journey in the game against Germany.

-    How do you feel now?
-    Perfect.
-    We might play without Zaza against Romania. In this case, you will have to play better. Are you ready for it?
-    I will do my best to gain 2 points against Romania.
 

Richard Matiashvili
-    You will have a difficult mission in the first official game of the national team. You might play instead of leader Zaza Pachulia. Are you nervous?

-         No, I am not. I am excited to hold the first official game in the national team.

Roland Labuchidze