In the round of 16 of the Euros, the Georgian national team was eliminated after a 1-4 defeat to Spain. Now back home, tens of thousands of fans have gathered at Tbilisi’s Freedom Square to welcome their heroes.
According to the Georgian news agency Agenda, “Since joining UEFA and FIFA in 1992, this is the first time Georgia has qualified for a major tournament, a tremendous accomplishment. Tens of thousands of supporters have assembled in the capital Tbilisi’s Freedom Square to greet the national team’s coach and players, all considered heroes.”
The emotional reception deeply touched the team. Player representative Nika Kvekveskiri addressed the crowd from a celebration float: “Thank you for giving us incredible energy. The greatest strength of this team comes from our close bond with our fans!”
Team manager and former Bayern Munich star, Sabino Barinaga, commented, “My three and a half years in Georgia have been challenging. The players’ tireless work to achieve our goals. I hope to continue here for another three and a half years, pushing hard together for our shared objectives, regardless of the obstacles.”
The head of the Georgian Ministry of Sports addressed the celebration, saying, “Our boys have given us a genuine miracle, but I believe it’s just the beginning. Starting in September, we’ll have new, exciting matches, and I’m confident many fans will be there to support us.”
Georgia’s next match is on September 7th in the UEFA Nations League against the Czech Republic. The Georgian Football Federation aims to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following their European Championship appearance, with European qualifiers set to begin in March 2025.
The country’s leader also spoke at the celebration, stating, “Today’s achievement is a miracle. This is the Georgia I want. The boys, through hard work, dedication, talent, professionalism, team spirit, and love for their homeland, have created this miracle. It’s their glory, and it belongs to all Georgians.”
