The miracle did not happen: instead of Greece, Georgia is going to Euro 2024

The Greek national football team was one step away from its dream. Previously, the team beat Kazakhstan with a crushing score of 5:0. To qualify for the Euro 2024 tournament, Greece only had to beat Georgia. This trip to the Euro would be the first in 12 years.

As for today's Greece, which has not qualified for major tournaments for exactly ten years, stylistically this is not at all the same team that won Euro 2004 in the most pragmatic style. Four goals by half-time in the game with Kazakhstan is proof of this. Not to mention the very worthy 2:2 with the French vice world champions at the end of the group stage. However, in Tbilisi the Hellenes began, as if Gustavo Poyet suddenly discovered Otto Rehagl’s dusty notes at the team base.

In the first 45 minutes, the guests, who initially came under aggressive pressure in the opposing half of the field, were not remembered for anything except the fall of a player in the penalty area who unsuccessfully stepped on the ball. But the Georgian team was not allowed to do anything at their own goal. The exception is Chakvetadze’s two free throws. In the first case, Dvali barely reached the cross near the far post. In the second, Vlachodimos sent the ball over the crossbar.

But the Greeks, who did not shy away from minor provocations, regularly got under their opponents’ skin. Tsimikas on the sideline once, apparently not without intent, hit Kvaratskhelia’s jaw with his elbow. The referee did not see this, and since the foul was still only for a yellow card, the VAR could not intervene. As a result, the accumulated tension before the break from a verbal altercation between Khvicha and his opponent resulted in a mass brawl on the sidelines and a red card for one of the home team’s coaches.

In the second half, little changed. The exception is the increase in the level of activity of the Greeks, which, however, resulted in almost sterile control and attempts at a positional offensive without any sharpness. When Kvarakhtzelia entered the penalty area and rolled the ball across the goal area, Tsimikas played confidently. I can’t say that Mikautadze’s appearance immediately added spice. In addition, the offensive potential of the hosts was affected by Shengelia’s unfortunate injury. After colliding with a slipping opponent, the winger left the field on a stretcher.

In general, it can be stated that the fear of both teams to concede at the highest level of responsibility deprived the game of entertainment and made an additional half hour inevitable. Kvaratskhelia tried to cancel them at the end of regulation time, but his shot from outside the penalty area was stopped by a defender’s foot, and the earned free kick ended up hitting the “wall.” Khvicha seemed to know that he would not finish the penalty shootout and would be replaced.

And the rest seemed to not want to bring the matter to the lottery, making overtime truly spectacular. It all started with Mamardashvili’s save after Bakasetas’ sharp shot. It continued with a corner and Mavropanos hitting the crossbar. Then Mikautadze showed what a master he is by making an exemplary pass towards the goal, but Vlachodimos parried Davitashvili’s killer shot with his feet. After this, it was already difficult to surprise him with Tsitaishvili’s attack into the near corner.

The main time of the meeting and additional 30 minutes ended in a 0:0 draw. And a penalty is always a drama. The Greek team leader Bakasetas faltered in the first attempt. The Georgians were unable to control their nerves when they took the third shot, Mikautadze, who deceived the goalkeeper but missed the target. Yakumakis missed after him, and Dvali, putting the ball under the bar, opened a window for Georgia to the Euro. The decisive penalty was scored by Nika Kvekveskiri. Georgia snatched a victory with a score of 4:2.

At the end of the first half, a massive brawl between football players occurred on the field, as a result of which the reserve goalkeeper of the Georgian team, Giorgi Loria, was removed from the bench.

Thus, for the first time in its history, the Georgian team had the opportunity to play at the 2024 European Championship, which will be held in Germany. It was a beautiful season for Greece, but that's where it ended. We applaud and hope for future victories, but we are sad.

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