Vladimir Osipov – about Georgia’s entry into Euro 2024
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Last night, the last three teams that will take part in the final part of the European Football Championship were determined – these are Georgia, Poland and Ukraine. The Euro 2024 draw took place back in 2023. The groups were formed in advance, but three tickets were played out in separate mini-tournaments. The finals included Georgia-Greece, Wales-Poland and Ukraine-Iceland. Kommersant FM sports commentator Vladimir Osipov followed the development of events.
The Euro 2024 draw took place back in 2023. Groups were also formed, but the last three spots were played out in a separate mini-tournament, in the three finals of which Georgia – Greece, Wales – Poland and Ukraine – Iceland competed.
The Georgian national team had never played at the Euro before, and therefore there was a real football excitement in the country before the home match with the Greeks. Tickets for the decisive game were sold out in six hours, which set a record, and the stadium in Tbilisi was packed to capacity. The fans demanded a brilliant performance from their players, but this time the technical Georgians were careful. Even Khvicha Kvaratskhelia worked on defense.
The teams played tough, at the end of the first half a massive brawl almost broke out on the field, but nothing happened. The main and extra time ended without any goals scored – 0:0. Everything was decided in a penalty shootout. The Greeks made two mistakes here, the overall score was 4:2, and Georgia qualified for the European Football Championship. At this historical moment, commentators on the national television channel did not hide their emotions.
The fans went crazy with happiness and rushed onto the field. The police didn’t interfere. This crazy impromptu celebration lasted about half an hour, and then moved to the streets of Tbilisi, where many celebrated the historical event until the morning. At Euro 2024, Georgia will play in Group F along with Turkey, Portugal and the Czech Republic. In addition to Georgia, Poland also entered the tournament, defeating Wales also after a goalless draw in a penalty shootout – 5:4, and Ukraine, which beat Iceland in regular time – 2:1.
In general, the football evening on March 26 was extensive. In addition to the play-offs, there were many friendly matches, and with serious signs. For example, Germany beat the Netherlands – 2:1, Spain beat Brazil – 3:3, and France beat Chile – 3:2. It is worth saying that before the game a funeral ceremony was held in Marseille. A minute of silence was declared at the Velodrome stadium in memory of those killed at Crocus City Hall. But all this football abundance went unnoticed by Russian TV channels. Of course, there were broadcasts on the Internet, but their quality left much to be desired. Fortunately, we will most likely be able to watch the final part of Euro 2024 simply on TV.
Now the rights to the European football championship in our country belong to the Telesport Group company, this has been confirmed more than once by UEFA. And with a high degree of probability, live reports from Germany will be conducted by Match TV. Representatives of the TV channel do not officially confirm the information, but the chairman of the Russian Association of Sports Commentators, Alexey Efimov, has little doubt about it:
“We need to read papers, contracts. There is a “force majeure” column, which everyone can interpret differently. But I have little doubt that our fans will see Euro 2024. On what channel? Most likely, it will be Match-TV and the channels of this holding. I have virtually no doubt, but I say again: in our time, everything is possible.”
Moreover, there is information that Match TV is going to show the European tournament in full, as well as the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. A certain problem could be the matches of the Ukrainian national team, which is in Group “E”, where it is damp with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania. But the federal TV channel is unlikely to refuse to show the main tournament of the continent entirely, especially considering the cost of television rights. For example, according to media reports, the rights to show Euro 2020 cost about €25 million. Yes, this time the Russian national team will not be at the tournament for obvious reasons, but this is unlikely to reduce the number of people wanting to watch great football in our country.
Everything is clear with us – Telegram channel “Kommersant FM”.
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