DPA
Berlin
Georgia will play at a European football championship for the first time in their history as they secured one of the last three spots available at the Euro 2024 on Tuesday.
Georgia defeated Greece 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra-time. Midfielder Nika Kvekveskiri scored the decisive penalty to spark delirious celebrations.
They will now line up in Group F and will make their debut against Turkey on June 18, before facing the Czech Republic on June 22 and Portugal on June 26.
Ukraine are also going to the Euros in Germany this summer after a 2-1 comeback win against Iceland, while Poland also needed penalties to defeat Wales 5-4.
Albert Gudmundsson put Iceland in the lead in the 30th minute, but Viktor Tsygankov levelled in the 54th and Mykhailo Mudryk’s late goal secured qualification for Ukraine, who will join Group E and play their first match against Romania on June 17. They then face Slovakia on June 21 and Belgium five days later.
Wojciech Szczesny was Poland’s hero as he denied Daniel James in the final spot kick to seal a 5-4 win after a goalless draw.
Poland will join the difficult Group D, with Netherlands, Austria and France. They start the tournament against the Dutch side on June 16.
The Euro 2024 start on June 14, when hosts Germany welcome Scotland in Munich.
Georgia ‘heroes’ to be
nominated for state award
Georgia celebrated its first-ever qualification for a major football championship in the form of Euro 2024 into the early hours of Wednesday, with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze naming the players "heroes” and nominating them for a state award.
Kobakhidze celebrated with players and fans in downtown Tbilisi after the team defeated former champions Greece 4-2 on penalties to book their place at the June 14-July 14 finals in Germany.
Kobakhidze said he will ask the nations’s president, Salome Zourabichvili, to award the team with the Medal of Honour state prize for the historic achievement.
"These guys are heroes and heroes need to be appreciated,” Kobakhidze was quoted as saying on the government Facebook account.
"These are the most honourable people, and that’s why, together with [parliament speaker] Shalva Papuashvili, we made a small decision - our boys will be nominated for the Medal of Honour, each one of them! "Today is the happiest day and this is the happiness that unites us!” he said.
At the Euros, Georgia will play Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, the Czech Republic and Turkey.
The tournament will bring their French coach Willy Sagnol back to Germany where he played at Bayern Munich from 2000 until 2009.
Zelensky congratulates Ukrainian team
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the national football team of his war-torn country for qualifying for the European Football Championship set to take place in Germany this summer.
"Thank you, boys! Thank you, team!” Zelensky wrote on Telegram on Tuesday evening, adding "If the Ukrainians have a hard time, but they don’t give up and keep fighting, then the Ukrainians will inevitably win.”
On Tuesday, Ukraine won their play-off final 2-1 (0-1) against Iceland and, like Poland and Georgia, qualified for Euro 2024 at the last moment.
Albert Gudmundsson scored in the 30th minute to give the Icelanders an initial lead in Wroclaw, Poland. However, Viktor Tsyhankov scored in the 54th minute and superstar Mykhailo Mudryk found the net 30 minutes later to turn the game in the Ukrainians’ favour.
Ukraine will join Group E and play their first match against Romania on June 17. They then face Slovakia on June 21 and Belgium five days later.
The country has been defending itself against Russia’s military invasion for more than two years. There are currently no home games for Ukrainian national teams playing international matches. The national team and Ukrainian clubs play as guests at stadiums in other countries.