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June 27 – Suddenly, everyone now has Georgia on their minds.
Having tried and failed 14 times to qualify for a major tournament since becoming independent, Willy Sagnol’s team made history in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday night with a 2-0 win over Portugal, the 2016 champions, that tore up the script and secured a memorable last-16 spot against Spain.
So after the greatest upset in Euros history in terms of rankings, there was only really one question to ask the charismatic Sagnol. How on earth did a side ranked 74th beat a team 68 places higher?
“When you’re the ‘small team’ in the competition, you know you have nothing to lose,” was Sagnol’s simple explanation. “But It’s still difficult to realise what we have done. It will probably happen when we will lose, and when we will go back to our homes and on holidays.”
“Today I don’t have a lot of words so I will try to stay basic and say that I’m so proud of the players because what an image they have shown of Georgia today… I feel very proud to be their manager.”
The euphoric post-match celebrations, when substitutes and staff rushed off the bench at the final whistle to sing and dance with supporters in the stands, will live long in the memory.
Sagnol, the former France and Bayern Munich full-back who played in the 2006 World Cup, had already become a living legend in Georgia when they secured qualification for Euro 2024 through the Nations League, beating Greece on penalties in the playoffs.
But this was on another level, writing a new chapter as they caught their illustrious opponents cold after just 93 seconds and went on to play with no fear.
“The only thing we said before the competition is whatever happened, we don’t want any regrets after the competition, the regret of maybe not having played our football or maybe not having enjoyed the competition as much as we should have done,” said Sagnol.
“So, you have no weight on your shoulders. It’s difficult…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/06/27/proud-sagnol-reflects-euros-record-georgias-greatest-day/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-06-27 09:37:51
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