Georgia creates a sensation against Portugal and is in the round of 16

Georgia has achieved what was hardly thought possible: the surprise guest at the European Championships has also advanced to the knockout round thanks to a 2-0 win against the Portuguese, who have already qualified for the round of 16.

With the right attitude, you can move mountains or make the difference of 68 places in the world rankings disappear. At its first finals, Georgia, number 74 in the FIFA rankings, put on a spectacle. With huge effort and exceptional players at the front and back, the team of former French international Willy Sagnol brought down Portugal’s B team, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

The scenario in Gelsenkirchen, where Schalke 04 usually writes the dramas, was perfect for Georgia. Less than 90 seconds had been played when Antonio Silva made a bad pass, which Georges Mikautadze and goal scorer Chwitscha Kwarazchelia used to make it 1-0. In the 57th minute, the Georgians doubled their lead with a penalty, which the Schwyz referee Sandro Schärer rightly awarded after a tip-off from video referee Fedayi San. Mikautadze, who was born in Lyon, France, was the first player to score his third goal in the tournament.

In addition to Napoli’s outstanding superstar Kwarazchelia and goal-getter Mikautadze from FC Metz, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili deserves special mention from the Georgian team. The FC Valencia keeper also shone against Portugal and prevented a goal several times when the tight defense of the outsiders allowed the Portuguese to score.

The reaction of the players, who seemed increasingly frustrated, showed how little Portugal’s second team – also highly paid – had expected this resistance. Ronaldo received a yellow card in the first half for complaining. Schärer had more to do and had to make more difficult decisions than the starting position in this group and the actually clearly assigned roles in this match would have suggested.

While Portugal, beaten for the first time under national coach Roberto Martinez, was surprised, Georgia was obviously prepared for the coup. They fought for every meter at the back and with the ball at their feet they consistently sought a quick advance in front of the Portuguese goal. The success was total and was rewarded with a place in the round of 16 against Spain. The victim of Georgia’s exploit is Hungary, which would otherwise have made it into the knockout round as one of the best third-placed teams in the group.

The report of the other game:

Georgia – Portugal 2:0 (1:0)
Gelsenkirchen. – 49,616 spectators. – Referee Schärer (SUI).
Tore: 2. Kwarazchel 1:0. 57. Mikautase 2:0.
Georgia: Mardaschwili; Kakabadse, Gwelesiani (76. Kwerkwelia), Kaschia, Lotschoschwili (57. Zitaischwili), Dwali; Tschakwetadse (81. Mekwabischwili), Kotschoraschwili, Kiteischwili; Mikautadse, Kwarazchelia (81. Dawitaschwili).
Portugal: Coast; Dalot, Danilo, Silva (66. Semedo), Inacio; Neto (75. Diogo Jota), Palhinha (46. Palhinha), Neves (75. Matheus); Conceiçao, Ronaldo (66. Ramos), João Felix.
Remarks: Georgia complete. Portugal without Rafael Leão (suspended).
Warnings: 28. Ronaldo. 44. Netto. 53. Neves. 85. Mekwabischwili. (abu/sda)

There is a large portion of Italy in the Swiss national team. Remo Freuler, who has played in Serie A for almost eight seasons, is looking forward to a round of 16 duel that is special not only for him (Saturday, 6 p.m.).

On Wednesday, a lot of Italian will be spoken in Stuttgart. After almost seven years in Bergamo and now a year in Bologna, Remo Freuler does not find it difficult to answer the questions of Italian (and Ticino) journalists in the national language. One thing seems particularly important to the 32-year-old. “Italy is the favorite,” he stresses. No further explanation is needed, because “l’Italia è l’Italia.” Basta.