History of Georgian national rugby union team started in 1989 and “The Lelos” has held 149 matches for 24 years. On February 23 the Georgian team will hold the 150^th match and will try to gain the 90^th victory (89 wins, 5 draws and 55 losses).

Our anniversary coincides with the day of Soviet Army and our opponent will be Russian team. The match will be held on the stadium named after famous Georgian football player Slava Metreveli in Sochi. The Georgian and Russian teams have held 16 matches against each other. The Georgians won 14 matches, played one draw and lost only once. It was in 1993.

The Russians does not hope to win but have a desire. They say – “The Georgians are laughing at us. Meteorite rain will come to the earth rather than the Russians will beat the Georgians. Perhaps, it is that rain which came to Chelyabinsk several days ago”. In short, they want to defeat us so much that will not refuse the flood. But the Georgian rugby players know how important this match is for our nation and the Georgian rugby. They will do their best.

It is pity but it is fact that the matches of the Georgian and Russian teams are always discussed politically.

In short, the match will start at 15:00 Tbilisi time tomorrow in Sochi. After this match, “The Lelos” will reach this year’s Nations Cup and World Cup 2015. Two best teams of Nations Cup 2013/2014 will compete in World Cup. The third team will have a chance to play in England.

“The Lelos” left for Sochi by charter flight.

Live broadcast of the match is not planned and only internet users can watch the match. The Georgian side plans to make its own streaming. The match internet broadcast is planned on http://www.sochiinfocom.ru/. French referees will judge the match. On February 23 weather will be 10 gradus and it will rain in Sochi.

 

European Nations Cup 2013. Qualifying round of World Cup 2015
February 23
Russia. Sochi. 15:00 (Tbilisi time)
Russia - Georgia
Russia: 15. Igor Klyuchnikov, 14. Vasily Artemyev, 13. Dmitry Gerasimov, 12. Alexey Makovetskiy, 11. Mikhail Babaev, 10. Sergey Ianushkin, 9. Alexander Ianushkin); 1. Alexey Volkov, 2. Maxim Timoshuk, 3. Andrey Igrotsev, 4. Alexander Voytov, 5. Kirill Kulemin,  6. Andrey Temnov, 7. Pavel Butenko, 8. Viktor Gresev.
Substitutes: 16. Andrey Polivalov, 17. Evgeny Pronenko, 18. Innokenty Zykov, 19. Pavel Kvernadze, 20. Artem Fatakhov,  21. Alexey Shcherban, 22. Sergey Sugrobov, 23. Sergey Trishin.
Head coach: Kingsley Jones (Wales)
Georgia: 15. Lasha Khmaladze, 14. Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13. Tedo Zibzibadze, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Irakli Machkhaneli, 10. Merab Kvirikashvili, 9. Giorgi Begadze, 1. Mikheil Nariashvili, 2. Iuri Natriashvili, 3. Davit Zirakashvili, 4. Giorgi Chkhaidze, 5. Konstantine Mikautadze, 6. Shalva Sutiashvili, 7. Mamuka Gorgodze, 8. Dimitri Basilaia.
Substitutes: 16. Shalva Mamukashvili, 17. Vasil Kakovin, 18. Davit Kubriashvili, 19. Lasha Lomidze, 20. Vito Kolelishvili, 21. Vazha Khutsishvili, 22. Davit Kacharava, 23. Beka Tsiklauri.
Head coach:  Milton Haig (New Zealand)

Spain - Romania
Portugal - Belgium

1.    Romania           2    2    0    0    48-27    8
2.    Georgia        2    2    0    0    42-25    8
3.    Russia               2    1    0    1    27-38    4
4.    Belgium                 2    0    1    1    34-38    3
5.    Spain             2    0    1    1    30-34    3
6.    Portugal      2    0    0    2    25-44    1

March 9
Georgia - Spain
Portugal - Russia
Belgium - Romania
March 16
Romania - Georgia

Spain - Portugal

Russia - Belgium

 

Zura Ksovreli