The Georgia team has become the sensation of Euro 2024, marking its first qualification for the final phase of a major international tournament. Under the leadership of French coach Willy Sagnol, Georgia secured their spot in the round of 16 with a surprising 2-0 victory over Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
Patrick Guillou, a beIN SPORTS consultant and close friend of Sagnol, shared his perspective on the coach's success. Guillou, who has known Sagnol since the mid-90s and was his assistant in Bordeaux, remarked, 'He’s my friend, so obviously, in terms of objectivity, there’s a take-it-and-leave-it thing,' but praised Sagnol's clear and insightful analyses.
Despite being an under-publicized team in the football world, Georgia's achievement has garnered significant attention. The team secured third place in Group F with 4 points from three matches, enough to advance to the knockout stage. Sagnol expressed immense pride in the team's progress, stating, 'We give a very good image of Georgian football and Georgia. When you know where you come from, it's really a source of immense pride to already be there.'
Looking ahead, Georgia faces a formidable challenge in the next round, as they will compete against Spain, a team that has historically dominated their encounters. Sagnol acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match, saying, 'A wall will rise up in front of us! As since the start of this Euro, we have nothing to lose. There are no teams to avoid when you're Georgia. We're going to go into this match doing what we know how to do and trying to do it well.'
- The Georgian team's qualification for the round of 16 is a historic achievement, especially considering their total inexperience in the European Championship. The victory over Portugal was a testament to the team's hard work and determination.
- Sagnol's leadership has been instrumental in Georgia's success. His ability to inspire and motivate his players has been evident throughout the tournament. The coach's pride in his team's performance reflects the significant progress they have made under his guidance.
- The upcoming match against Spain will be a true test of Georgia's capabilities. Despite the challenges, the team remains optimistic and focused on performing to the best of their abilities. The match is set to take place on Sunday at 6 p.m., and fans are eagerly anticipating how the underdog team will fare against a seasoned opponent.
