Euro 2024: Georgia secures place for the first time, and Ukraine qualifies amid war | euro cup

Two former Soviet republics secured a place in the European Championship this Tuesday. Georgia, which became independent in 1991, secured qualification for the tournament for the first time in its history by beating Greece on penalties 4-2, after a goalless draw in regular time and extra time. And Ukraine, which has been mired in war against Russia for more than two years, qualified for the first major tournament since the start of the conflict, beating Iceland 2-1.

Best moments | Georgia 0 (4) x (2) 0 Greece in the Euro Qualifiers

The Georgians will be in group F of Euro 2024, along with Portugal, the Czech Republic and Turkey, and the Ukrainians will compete with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania in group B of the tournament. The Euro Cup will be played in Germany, between June 14th and July 14th.

Georgia will have Euro 2024 as the first major tournament in its football history. The Eastern European country, independent for just 33 years, qualified for the European Championship for the first time by overcoming Greece in the C playoff decision, this Tuesday. After a goalless draw in normal time and extra time, the Georgians prevailed on penalties: 4 to 2. The euphoric fans invaded the pitch to celebrate.

The hero of the night in Tbilisi, the country’s capital, was goalkeeper Mamardashvili, who plays for Valencia and is one of the highlights of the national team. The archer saved the first Greek shot in the decisive dispute, from Bakasetas, in addition to making good interventions throughout the 120 minutes. It was up to Kvekveskiri to take the penalty that guaranteed historic classification for the Georgians.

Georgia – a former republic of the Soviet Union that became independent in 1991 – will compete in the European Championship for the first time, falling into group F, which has Portugal, the Czech Republic and Turkey. The debut will be against the Turks, on June 18, in Dortmund.

Georgia guarantees place in Euro and fans invade the field to celebrate

The dispute between Georgia, candidate for newcomers, and Greece, champion in 2004, remained tied for 120 minutes, after a tense start – in the first half, four yellow cards were shown. Over the 90 minutes, the Greeks had more opportunities, although the Georgians also created chances.

The Georgian fans tried to make a difference in extra time, as did Kvaratskhelia, star of Napoli and the host team, who looked for individual plays, but was well marked. The star ended up being substituted at the beginning of the second extra time, very tired. Greece even hit the crossbar in a play in the area, but the match went to a penalty shootout.

Kochorashvili opened the contest by converting his shot for Georgia, and soon after Bakasetas stopped in Mamardashvili’s defense. Davitashvili and Masouras hit the target, and Mikautadze sent the ball wide for the Georgians, with Bouchalakis leveling 2-2 for Greece. Dvali converted his shot, and Giakoumakis later also shot off target, leaving the Greeks at a disadvantage. Kvekveskiri then sent the ball into the back of the net to qualify Georgia for Euro 2024.

The Ukrainian team secured a place in their fourth consecutive European Championship with a great comeback victory. The Eastern European team beat Iceland 2-1, playing in Poland, as they cannot play their matches at home due to the war against Russia. Chelsea standout Mudryk scored the decisive goal six minutes from time after Gudmundsson opened the scoring for the visitors in the opening half and Tsygankov equalized early in the second half.