Georgia’s Euro 2024 heroes have been promised millions of pounds by their former Prime Minister if they beat Spain on Sunday. Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream party, has already awarded the national team £8.4million from a charitable foundation for making it to the knockout stages.
Georgia escaped Group F after defeating Portugal 2-0 and pulling off one of the Euros’ biggest ever shocks. And Ivanishvili has pledged another £8.4m for every subsequent victory in Germany, where Georgia are the lowest-ranked team remaining.
A statement read: “The honorary chairman of ‘Georgian Dream’ thanks every player of the football team, the coaching staff and the Georgian fans for this historic and dream victory.”
Buoyed by three goals from Georges Mikautadze, impressive performances from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and solid goalkeeping from Giorgi Mamardashvili, Georgia have made it to the last 16 in their first-ever major tournament appearance.
Willy Sagnol’s side grew into the group stages as a loss to Turkey in their opening game was followed by a draw against Czech Republic and a win over Portugal. Up next: Spain, who were the only team at Euro 2024 to win all three of their group matches.
Manager Luis de la Fuente believes his players are the best in the world. And Georgia boss Sagnol, who will stand alongside De la Fuente in the Cologne Stadium dugout this weekend, is fully aware of the task at hand.
“Spain is coming, Spain is probably the best team of the first round so it’s another big challenge for us,” said the Frenchman. “For sure we’re going to fight to the last minute as we have done since the beginning of the competition.
“It’s still difficult to realise what we have done. It will probably happen when we eventually lose, and when we will go back to our homes and on holidays. I’m so proud of the players because of the image they have shown of Georgia. I feel very proud to be their manager.”
There are 67 places between Georgia and Spain in FIFA’s world rankings but De la Fuente is under no illusion that their last-16 showdown will be easy.
“We have maximum respect for them,” he said. “They are a team that is having a great tournament. They defeated Portugal and we have seen that they have been improving and progressing with their performances.
“We will have to give the best version of ourselves to have a chance of going through. We will have to be very careful. The motivation that comes from beating Portugal will make them more dangerous.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk