July 1 – Georgia manager Willy Sagnol vowed that the Eastern European country will return to major finals after their success on debut at Euro 2024, his side falling victim to a second-half Spanish comeback in the round of 16.
The Georgians took the lead against the three-time winners in the 17th minute, but following Rodri’s first-half equaliser, they no longer had the legs, intensity and skill to match their illustrious opponents, who ran out comfortable 4-1 winners.
Even so, Georgia defied expectations and, at times, football’s natural order to impress in their maiden finals.
“When the players, the staff and everyone will realise what we have done here, we will try our best to come back in a major competition,” said Sagnol at a news conference. “Everything has been such a great experience. Tomorrow morning, I think everyone will want to come back.”
Since independence, Georgia had been trying to qualify for major finals and after 14 failed attempts, they succeeded in reaching the European championship in Germany where they exceeded expectations by progressing from a group with Turkey, the Czech Republic and Portugal. Sagnol’s team’s trademark was for lightning-fast counterattacks.
In 2026, the World Cup will feature 48 teams, allowing more European teams to qualify. Sagnol however remained coy about his own future when quizzed if his journey with Georgia would continue with the World Cup qualifiers around the corner.
“We had some good and bad times, that is the story of every national team,” said the Georgia manager.
“You need to take the time and sit down, and look at what you have done. The evolution of the team and the squad has been absolutely fantastic, I am very proud of what the players have done. It is the end of a journey, but I am sure the next one will also be very exciting.”
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