26
Jun
Believe
Georgia triumphed over Portugal with a score of 2-0, securing a place in the round of 16 at Euro 2024. This victory represents the country's most significant football achievement to date in the history of independent Georgia.
The unexpected win astonished many outside this Eastern European nation, as Georgia entered the tournament as an underdog, ranked 74th by FIFA. In contrast, Portugal, one of the favourites for Euro 2024, became the only top team to lose to a lower-ranked opponent. Prior to 26 June 2024, Georgia was widely regarded as the most underrated team at EURO 2024, prompting some football legends to voice their concerns about their debut. The victory garnered widespread acclaim, with Le Figaro dubbing Georgia the "Cinderella" of the tournament. Supporters from various countries quickly took to social media to express their admiration. These new fans from around the globe now hope to see Georgia replicate Greece's remarkable journey in the UEFA European Championship in 2004 or achieve a similarly stunning performance like Morocco's at Qatar 2022, where they defeated both Portugal and Spain.
While every team aims for victory on the pitch, Georgia has a complex and uniquely Georgian aspiration. I will attempt to explain that.
The initial mission is complete, but most Georgia fans understand that securing third place in Group F was not the original goal. The match showcased an outstanding performance that led to a remarkable victory for the debutants. However, their primary objective was to achieve second place in their group to avoid facing favourites like Spain, Germany, and France. Additionally, the team would have had a shorter rest period, lacking two days to prepare compared to other squads.
Nevertheless, Georgia has consistently confronted tough challenges, both as a nation and as a football team. Fans who believed in Georgia's potential to win did not fully anticipate such a spectacular result. Now, they are eagerly seeking tickets for the match on 30 June.
Victory is never guaranteed, even when it is well-deserved. Georgia learned this lesson the hard way during their matches against Türkiye and Czechia this June. Football is a game where anything can happen. This squad plays for the love of the sport and an even greater passion for their homeland, a motivation that few other teams in EURO 2024 possess, apart from Ukraine.
“Georgia, where have you been until now?” asked a Portuguese newspaper. There is an answer to that question.
Euro 2024 is not Georgia’s first appearance at the tournament. In fact, Georgia can claim to be the first team to win the inaugural Euro. This may sound unbelievable, but the facts speak for themselves, and we invite Europe to consider the Georgian perspective.
In 1960, the USSR claimed first place in Paris. Among the Russian players, the squad included one Ukrainian, Yuriy Voynov, and four Georgian footballers who contributed to that victory: three forwards—Mikheil Meskhi (23, Dinamo Tbilisi), Zaur Kaloevi (29, Dinamo Tbilisi), and Slava Metreveli (24, Torpedo Moscow)—along with defender Givi Chokheli (23, Dinamo Tbilisi). In the 1960s, they were all classified as “Soviets,” a term that referred to citizens of the former Soviet Union, even though they were Georgians from the Soviet Republic of Georgia. These players were instrumental in securing the USSR's victory at Euro 1960.
While UEFA credits the 1960 victory to “Russia,” it should accurately reflect either "USSR" or "Russia and Georgia." The four Georgian footballers were essential to the USSR team; otherwise, the Russians would have happily left them behind, as they had done on several occasions before and after. The true historical relationship between Russia and Georgia is detailed at the bottom of this page, shedding light on the significant contributions of Georgian players to the 1960 European Championship, marking the beginning of Georgia's football narrative.
In 1968, four other Georgian footballers played pivotal roles in the USSR squad's fourth-place finish, including midfielders Murtaz Khurtsilava (25) and Kakhi Asatiani (21) from Dinamo Tbilisi, forward Givi Nodia (20) from Dinamo Tbilisi, and goalkeeper Anzor Kavazashvili (27) from Torpedo Moscow.
In 1972, the USSR team secured second place with three outstanding Georgian players: midfielder Murtaz Khurtsilava (29), who captained the USSR, forward Givi Nodia (24), and defender Revaz Dzodzuashvili (27), all from FC Dinamo Tbilisi.
These facts and statistics are available on the UEFA website and can be easily verified. They may be hard to believe, but perhaps not after Georgia's last three games this June. While these topics have been widely discussed and written about, they are often only acknowledged in Georgian.
During the Soviet occupation, national teams from the Soviet republics were unable to compete internationally, resulting in the USSR team serving as the sole platform for players to showcase their talents. Many Georgian footballers played significant roles in the united team's achievements, meaning the USSR squad was as much Georgian as it was Russian in those matches.
The national team of Georgia technically existed as FC Dinamo Tbilisi, which featured only local players. On 13 May 1981, FC Dinamo Tbilisi won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
Tonight marked a significant moment in Georgia's football history as the national team emerged victorious. This achievement did not surprise Georgian football fans; it was simply another chapter in their legacy that began 64 years ago. These young players honed their skills in the Dinamo Tbilisi Academy, continuing the proud heritage of their predecessors, who were less fortunate in celebrating their victories with their anthem, flag, and language. However, after every win, the Georgian players returned home to a warm welcome, reflecting the appreciation and love expressed on social media throughout Georgia tonight. They proudly represented their homeland, rather than the USSR—the Empire of Evil. The world may not have known it yet, but Georgia never doubted its ethnicity and national identity during the Soviet occupation.
Football has always meant more than just a game in Georgia. It has served as a classy means of fighting for their independence and identity. Tonight was no different: Georgia aimed to showcase their love for the sport and their skills, hoping to make Europe take notice of who they are. The answer is evident: Georgia is a small country of immense significance, akin to a diamond. That is why they shine and will always shine, and all Europe needs to do is watch and enjoy. Georgia promises to play beautiful football and will strive to win if given the opportunity.
And now, here is a piece of history that the world needs to know.
The annexation of the Kingdom of Georgia by the Russian Empire spanned sixty long years, from 1801 to 1861. Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, the Republic of Georgia regained its independence with assistance from Germany, later receiving support from Britain and France. However, the Soviet regime reoccupied the country in February and March of 1921, maintaining control for the next seventy years. Throughout this period, the Georgian people never surrendered willingly or without resistance, staging significant plots and rebellions every decade in their quest for freedom and state independence.
In 1991, Georgia finally reclaimed its independence, but not without struggle. Major demonstrations in the autumn of 1988 culminated on 9 April 1989, when the Russian Army and special forces attacked locals, resulting in the deaths of 21 innocent civilians, including three young girls. Many others sustained life-changing injuries. The tragedy could have claimed more lives if not for the actions of 250 Georgian police officers who ensured a safe passage for protesters fleeing the assault by 1,300 Russian soldiers on either side of Rustaveli Avenue.
The Georgian protesters gathered in front of the House of Government, holding small crosses and tiny lit candles. They prayed, sang, and danced to keep warm in the chill of the night. Meanwhile, heavily armed occupying military units received orders to prevent any locals from escaping the area. As a result of this severe operation, 90 Russian soldiers and numerous Georgian policemen also sustained injuries.
Independent Georgia has endured two wars against Russia in the regions of Abkhazia and Samachablo, with the Tbilisi War being orchestrated by Russia in between. This history sheds light on the strained relationship between Georgia and its northern neighbour.
In 1958, Sergo Kotrikadze made his debut as a goalkeeper for FC Dinamo Tbilisi. The legendary Boris Paichadze advised him to always remember that he was not just protecting Dinamo's goal but also the Darial Gate. The Darial Gorge, located on the border between Russia and Georgia, historically served as a narrow passage through the Caucasus, allowing enemy forces to invade Georgia from the north. For Georgians, the term "Darial" has become a symbol of homeland defence. In 2024, Giorgi Mamardashvili will guard the "Darial" goal at Euro 2024.
This context clarifies the question of where Georgia has been all this time. Amid political challenges, the country has continued to fight for its independence and freedom while also embracing football. Among the fans tonight sat another remarkable squad from the 1990s, the former Georgian footballers. This group represents the first generation of players in independent Georgia who paved the way for the current national team’s journey to Euro 2024.
P.S.The only Portuguese who should feel satisfied with tonight’s outcome is Cristiano Ronaldo, and here’s a compelling reason why. In 2013, the most decorated footballer of all time attended the opening of the Dinamo Tbilisi Academy, where he met young Georgian players, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Chakhvetadze, Zuriko Davitashvili, Giorgi Kochorashvili, and Anzor Mekvabishvili. These aspiring athletes dreamed of emulating their football icon, Ronaldo. Tonight, those young players, who have diligently honed their skills, fulfilled their promise to their role model. As a result, the legendary Portuguese footballer rightfully shares in their recent success.
