Georgian basketball

[rikhardur]

Superleague 2009/2010 - playoff finals: game 4

TSU 92 Energy Rustavi 95 (1-3) OT

Rustavi is champion once again, congrats! Anatoli Boisa paced the winners with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

[rikhardur]

The Best Wedding Gift A Georgian Can Receive

// 16 September 2010
By Jeff Taylor

Of all the big stories to break in Istanbul the past three weeks during the FIBA World Championship, none was more important than the announcement that EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania is to expand to a 24-team field.

The toughest of all the zone competitions is to open its doors to many more national teams, and one of those in Georgia.

A country that has produced some terrific basketball players over the years, Georgia had narrowly missed out on booking a place in qualifying this summer when they won five times in eight games and finished second behind Belgium in Division A, Group C.

The expansion means that for the first time, a national team from Georgia will compete at a European Championship in any sport.

To understand the significance, one need only look at the reaction of Zaza Pachulia, the captain of the national side.

On the day of the announcement, September 5, Pachulia, a center with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, was getting married to his long-time partner at a church in Georgia and all of his national team friends were in attendance.

During the ceremony, his phone rang and he answered it and was told he would play at the EuroBasket in Lithuania.

Believing it to be a joke, Pachulia had to be convinced that the tournament had indeed been expanded.

"After telling him for a third time that it was true, all I could hear on the phone were amazing sounds in the background," said the secretary general of the Georgian Basketball Federation, Merab Ratishvili, to Basketball World News.

"It wasn't just players and people involved with the team that celebrated, but ordinary people, too.

"You could hear car horns blowing through the night. There were cars being driven with Georgian flags, people crying (for joy) that we are in the European Championship.

"The headlines in Georgia read ‘Thanks to FIBA Europe'."

The announcement was so important for Georgia that Pachulia and his wife did something else.

"The next morning," Ratishvili said, "Zaza and his wife went to the airport and flew to Istanbul to personally thank (FIBA Europe Secretary General) Nar Zanolin.

"They also thanked (FIBA Europe President) Olafur Rafnsson."

Nearly two weeks on from the announcement on expansion, one thing is clear.

The world knows that countries like Spain, Russia, Greece, Lithuania, Serbia and many other national sides that seem to always make it to European Championships can play basketball at the highest level.

The world is about to discover that Georgia can, too.

"We're very happy," Ratishvili said.

"It's the first time in the history of Georgia that any team will play at a European Championship. You can understand what this means, what happiness that has brought to the players, the fans and everyone in Georgia.

"We're not going just to show up. We realize very well we cannot win the European Championship, but we go to win some games and to do our best.

"A lot depends on the system of the competition and once FIBA Europe announces that, we'll make our aims.

"We're definitely not going just to show up."

http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_f,QJY13GIqEKzkmlIxcdm1.articleMode_on.container_frontpage.html

Cars driven with Georgian flags and people celebrating in the streets, now that surprised me.

[rikhardur]

Kote Tugushi's triple-double lands him Player of the Week award - Dec 12, 2010 (by Eurobasket News)
26-year old guard Kote Tugushi (192-G-84) put on an amazing game in the last round for league's best team Army Sport Klub Tbilisi and receives a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 8.
He recorded a triple-double of 19 points and added 11 rebounds and 12 assists, while his team outclassed Dinamo Tbilisi (#10, 1-8) with 43-point margin 105-62. It allowed Army to take over top position in the Georgian league. Army have a solid 7-1 record. Tugushi turned to be Army's top player in his first season with the team. Tugushi has impressive league stats. He is in league's top in points (4th best: 18.9ppg), rebounds (5th best: 9.9rpg), assists (2nd best: 6.0apg) and averages solid 2.1spg and 54.8% FGP.

Second best performed player last round was David Ugrekhelidze (207-C-83). He is former international center in his first season at Army. In the last game Ugrekhelidze recorded impressive double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds. Of course together with Tugushi he helped Army with another comfortable win outscoring the lower-ranked Dinamo Tbilisi (#10, 1-8) 105-62. This victory allowed Army to move up to 1st position in the standings. His team lost just one game this season, while they won 7 matches. Ugrekhelidze is a newcomer at Army and quickly became the team's new leader.

Third place about best performers goes to forward Richard Damus (198-F-83) of Sokhumi Tbilisi (#5). Damus scored 19 points and grabbed fourteen rebounds (!!!). He was a key player of Sokhumi, leading his team to a 79-57 easy win against GTU Tbilisi (#11, 0-8). Sokhumi needs these victories very badly if they think about getting closer to top teams. Their record at this point is 6 victories and 3 lost games. Damus has a great season in Georgia. After only 8 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 11.6rpg (#1 in league). He also has 1.8bpg and FGP: 63.5%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Giorgi Gulisabedashvili (194-G-88) of Samedicino - 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists
5. Talba Toudjani (201-F-80) of Energy Rustavi - 19 points and 11 rebounds
6. Zurab Korkotadze (194-F-83) of TSU Tbilisi - 26 points and 7 rebounds
7. Giorgi Barbakadze (203-F-91) of Kutaisi - 25 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists
8. Vakhtang Minashvili (200-C-79) of Army - 17 points and 7 rebounds
9. Levan Tsekvava (190-G-89) of Energy Rustavi - 22 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists
10. Nodar Tenieshvili (198-F-92) of Batumi - 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists

http://www.eurobasket.com/Georgia/basketball.asp?NewsID=211510

Sokhumi signed C Petras Baločka.

[Dato]

Georgian NT (Sakartvelo)

Roster:

4. Giorgi Gamqrelidze 183-G-86 (LTi Giessen 46ers, Germany)
6 Anatoliy Boisa 195-G-83 (Army, Georgia)
7 Zaza Pachulia 212-C-84 (Atlanta H., NBA)
8 George Tsintsadze 192-G-86 (TU/Rock, Estonia)
9 Giorgi Shermadini 216-C-89 (Union Olimpija, Slovenia)
10 Kote Tugushi 192-G-84 (Army, Georgia)
11 Manuchar Markoishvili 195-G-86 (NGC Cantu, Italy)
13 Viktor Sanikidze 203-F-86 (CS Bologna, Italy)
15 Nika Metreveli 212-C/F-91 (Immobiliare SR, Italy Lega 2)
21 Taurean Green 183-G-85 (Gran Canaria, Spain)
22 Nikoloz Tskitishvili 212-C/F-83 (Lagun Aro Gipuzkoa BC, Spain)
23 Tornike Shengelia 205-G/F-91 (VOO Verviers-Pepinster, Belgium)
Boisa Vladimir 209 C/F 81 (U.Olimpija, Slovenia)

Igor Kokoshkov - Head Coach (Phoenix Suns)


Good Luck!

[Dato]

Besik Liparteliani:"We will Provide all Terms for Preparation of National Team"

Georgian basketball fans were lucky at the ballot of final competition of Eurobasket 2011, which was held in Lithuania.24 nationals teams were seeded in 4 groups and Georgian National Team is seeded in group D. Slovenian, Russian, Belgian, Bulgarian and Ukrainian national teams are in the same group.

“World Sport” took an interview from Besik Liparteliani President of Georgian Basketball Federation, who attended ballot of the final stage of Eurobasket 2011.
- Do you agree with opinion that Georgian National Team was seeded relatively in weaker group?
- Of course, I agree. There is no weak team at final stage of European tournament, but there is difference between teams. We got the best variant.
- Why group D is the best variant?
- Slovenia was the best variant from the first seed, because Spanish, Serbian and Greek national teams are stronger than Slovenian one.
All teams in the second seed were strong (France, Croatia, Russia, Turkey). But in spite of everything I would prefer Russian National Team, because I know Russian basketball school very well. From the third (Germany, Lithuania, Montenegro, Belgium) and fifth (Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Bosnia) seeds of course we wanted Belgian and Bulgarian teams, which were competing in qualifying stage with us. Poland also was in our group but we had better results with Bulgaria.
As for the 6th seed (Ukraine, Latvia, supposedly Finland, Hungary or Portugal) maybe Ukrainian team is favorite with others in this group, but we have positive balance with them and we also know their basketball school very well.
- How do you think, which team will go through the next stage?
- Slovenia and Russia are favorites of group. Others have equal chances of being in top 3.
- What does Georgian National Team aim at final stage of European Championship?
- Georgian National Team competes first time at final stage of European Championship and that’s why going through the next stage will be big success for us.
- Have you talked to Igor Kokoskov head coach of Georgian National Team after ballot?
- Of course, I have.
- How Kokoskov estimate group D?
- Kokoskov as well as we is satisfied.
- Are any changes planned in Georgian National Team?
- Head coach has to decide it, we do not involve in his duty.
- How is preparation plan of Georgian National Team for Eurobasket 2011?
- We are waiting for ballot’s results. After finishing ballot, we will start preparation for Eurobasket 2011 in Vilnius and we will offer to hold sparring matches almost all countries. It has been already decided that on August 13-15 will be held Tbilisi City Hall Cup in Tbilisi and National Team of Israel will participate in this competition. Georgian National Team will have such preparation plane as Kokoskov will decide.
- Does national team have finance problem?
- I want to calm fans down that we do not have any finance problem. Georgian Basketball Federation is financially supported from the government for 5 years.

[Dato]

Davit Ustiashvili:"We have Chance of Going Through the Next Stage"

There is not weak team in final stage of Eurobasket 2011, but there is a little difference between them. For example leadership of FIBA considered the teams of the following countries equal: Germany, Lithuania, Montenegro and Belgium, which are seeded in the third seed. But it is noteworthy that team of Belgium is weaker in compare with other teams. Luck plays big role in ballot and Georgian National Team was lucky that its rival is Belgium, in other way our opponent would be Lithuanian team, which hosts this tournament. Georgian team will compete in D group, Russian National Team is our rival from the second seed, Belgian National Team is opponent of Georgian National Team from the third seed. As for the opponent from the 4th seed, it is Italian National Team, which has a little unsuccessful period now.
Davit Usitashvili head coach of MIA, finalist of Georgian Cup and assistant of Igor Kokoskov head coach of Georgian National Team gave an interview to “World Sport”.
- Most of Georgian specialists and fans consider that Georgian National Team was seeded in comparatively weak group. Do you agree with this opinion?
There is no weak team at final stage of European Championship. In spite of this the group where is seeded Georgian team is not bad group and it was quite possible to have rather strong opponent team.
- How do you think, which teams have chance of going through the next stage?
- Slovenian and Russian National Teams have chance of taking the first and the second places
- Do you know possibilities of all the opponents of Georgian National Team?
Most of all I know possibilities of our rivals Belgian, Bulgarian and Ukrainian teams. Belgium and Ukraine were playing in qualifying round of European Championship with us. We did not have official match against Ukrainian team, but we played sparring matches against each other. We have never played against Slovenian team. As for Russian National Team, we held sparring match and beat them 87:71 on July, 2004 in the city of Italy, San Georgo. But it was long time ago and Russians have another team now.
- There are not new players in Georgian National Team for several years…
Everyone is welcome in Georgian National Team, but it does not mean that everyone who has wish of playing there will become member of team. Firstly they have to show their possibilities in their clubs.
- Your team’s rival is “Army” on February 1 at Georgian Cup…
Unfortunately, Davit Imnadze central striker of MIA will not be able to play due to leg’s injury. In spite of this MIA will do its best to win this title first in its history.
- How would you estimate chances of MIA and “Army”
My estimation is 50/50.

[rikhardur]

Georgia On Tskitishvili’s Mind

By Jeff Taylor

Nikoloz Tskitishvili was not wearing a smile on his way to the team bus after playing in what turned out to be his last game for Spanish club Lagun Aro GBC, at Power Electronics Valencia on Sunday.

None of the players from the San Sebastian team were after their 84-75 defeat, a fifth consecutive loss.

Tskitishvili's demeanor changed instantly, though, when a certain subject was raised.

"Nikoloz, are you looking forward to playing for Georgia at the EuroBasket?"

The 27-year-old stopped, grinned and began chattering like there was no tomorrow.

"Unbelievable," he said to Basketball World News.

"I've been in the national team for 12, 13 years.

"I started when I was like 15 years old.

"We kept trying hard and hard and we were close, but never made it.

"Then, out of nowhere - boom!

"We hear ‘You guys are in the EuroBasket' and everybody was happy."

Georgia did come very close to qualifying last summer but finished second in EuroBasket Division A, Group C to Belgium with five wins in eight games.

It wasn't good enough to make it to Lithuania, but then FIBA Europe announced they were increasing the 16-team field by eight.

It was as if the sun had finally broken through the clouds.

"We got a little big lucky with the FIBA Europe decision," Tskitishvili said.

"Now there are 24 teams.

"But we've been fighting for this for a long time."

Hard Games Ahead

There will be no easy games in Group D, with Slovenia, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Belgium set to compete with Georgia for a top-three spot that will clinch a place in the next round.

The Georgians had better not be taken lightly.

Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia led the team last summer in scoring at 15.8 points per game while Viktor Sanikidze was the team's leading rebounder at 9.4 per contest.

Manuchar Markoishvili, Gran Canaria's Taurean Green - a naturalized Georgian - and George Tsintsadze also got big minutes last year for Georgia.

"We're good," Tskitishvili said.

"We have a lot of talent.

"When we get together, we work hard. We have a good coach also, Igor Kokoskov.

"Okay, we have some tough games like Russia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Belgium, but at least we've got a chance.

"It depends on us and what kind of shape we're in. We're going to try our best."

The NBA experiment

Tskitishvili has something in common with Pachulia.

He also played in the NBA.

Tskitishvili was the fifth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft but his career across the Atlantic didn't evolve as he'd hoped.

He returned to Europe before the 2006-07 campaign and has had stops in Russia, Spain and Italy.

"I really enjoyed America," he said.

"I had some hard times as a rookie.

"I was disappointed in myself because I thought I could do better but, other than that - I loved living there.

"I want to go back and visit in the summer.

"When I look back, I'm always thinking I should have waited to go until I was older and had developed more.

"But the opportunity was huge and you could never say no."

Looking Forward

Tskitishvili turns 28 on April 14.

He had some good games this season for Lagun Aro but didn't play much in their last three outings.

"Things could be better," he said.

"Much better.

"I'm working on my game now and hopefully next year, I'll be somewhere where I can contribute and play more."

On Tuesday, club and player decided to part ways.

Lagun Aro announced in a statement: "GBC and the player Nikoloz Tskitishvili today reached an agreement to terminate the contract of Georgian player. The club wishes him well in his future career."

http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_zk0fXxJEJ9657JNvkDxZI3.articleMode_on.html

[Dato]

Hope this info is true

Reports:Jeremy Pargo may receive a Georgian Passport - Apr 19, 2011 (by Nikloz Arveladze)
American guard Jeremy Pargo (188-PG-86, agency: Priority Sports, college: Gonzaga) may receive a Georgian Passport according to reports in Georgia.
Reports says that the Georgian federation are considering naturalizing Pargo so he will play for Georgia in Eurobasket 2011 in Lithuania.
Pargo,who plays for Israeli champions - Maccabi Tel-Aviv and led the team to the Euroleague final four in Barcelona in May after having a great season averaging 13ppg,3.5rpg and 3.9ap.
The guard was voted for Euroleague MPV of March after leading his team to a 3-1 playoffs victory over Spanish outfit Caja Laboral and the ticket to the Final four.
Current naturalized player for the Georgian team is American guard Taurean Green (185-G-85, college: Florida) who plays for Spanish team Gran Canaria.Green led Georgia to this summer Eurobasket after averaging 11ppg,2.4rpg and 2.5apg in the Eurobasket qualifying round.
Georgia already had Naturalized several American players as Shammond Williams,Tyrone Ellis,Malvin Sanders and Green.
It may be seen if Green will continue and play for Georgia in The Eurobasket or Pargo will replace him in the Naturalized position.

http://www.eurobasket.com/Georgia/basketball.asp?NewsID=223923

[Xristos]

Georgia lost to Austria, this match was not taken seriously according to both head coaches. The official match is today

Gamkrelidze (1), A. Boisa (6), V. Boisa (7), Pachulia (10 points, 10 rebounds), Tsintsadze (7), Sanikidze (9), Tskitishvili (9), Haynes (7 points, 3 assists), Shengelia

Any link for the game today?

[CKR13]

Tornike Shengelia is drawing interest from several NBA scouts.

[rikhardur]

All-Star Game 2012

Legionaries 137 Locals 125

[rikhardur]

Armia achieve 2011/2012 title defense

Olimpi - Armia 67:91 (1-3)

Armia achieve 2011/2012 title defense in Georgia. The Winner of the Regular season won the series over Olimpi to triumph in the country.
Armia led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. Armia outrebounded Olimpi 41-25 including 29 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Ben Woodside (180-PG-85, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Dakota St.) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 8 assists and the other American import swingman Jeremy Richardson (200-G/F-84, college: Delta St.) who added 18 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Mikheil Berishvili (205-F-87, agency: Regeneracom Sports) responded with 20 points and 5 assists and Serbian center Ilija Milutinovic (211-C-88, agency: Global Sports Plaza, college: Oakland) scored 9 points and 7 rebounds.
Last year Armia triumphed in the country winning the series 3-1 over TSU. The last game finished with 65:61 for Army that brought them gold medals.

Olimpi: Mikheil Berishvili 20, Giorgi Gamqrelidze (183-G-86, agency: Interperformances) 15, Ilija Milutinovic 9
Armia: Ben Woodside 20, Jeremy Richardson 18, Will Thomas (203-PF-86, agency: Two Points) 15

http://www.eurobasket.com/Georgia/basketball.asp?NewsID=272342

[JRS Bonnet]

Georgia NT (preliminary roster):

In Spanish: http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=95562

Luke Zeller & Ricky Hickman. I did not see that coming.

[rikhardur]

Luke Zeller & Ricky Hickman. I did not see that coming.

Even the news mentions "addition", as if this was a club or something. When will FIBA stop this? Both Zeller and Hickman never touched Georgian soil for sure and might not even know where the country is (maybe they thought it's American Georgia and said "Yes!" in a blink of an eye).

[Dato]

FIBA allows having one naturalized guy in a roster. Therefore, we do not need to seek Georgian roots or some mystic spiritual connections to add the player. The fact that it is legal and equally applies to all countries is the best argument for me. Explanations like ,,he already lives in a country for years", "he is dating local girl", ,,his grandfather's close friend's neighbor was the national of my country" and etc. is less convincing.

P.S. Hope Hickman will at least partially compensate absence of Zaza.