Georgian rugby team defeats Russia

Georgia's national rugby team has defeated Russia in front of a home crowd, with a significant score of 36 points to 10 in the 2014 European National Cup tournament.

More than 50,000 people attended tonight's game at Dinamo Arena, which began with a minute of silence in tribute to the people who have died in Ukraine.

As the commentator announced, the minute of silence was a request of Georgian and Russian team members.

Many fans waved Ukrainian flags to express solidarity towards Ukrainian people. Some held banners, including one which read: "Abkhazia and South Ossetia is Georgia".

The Georgian crowd encouraged their team throughout the whole game and were very vocal. The noise was deafening while spectators whistled while the Russian national anthem was performed. 

Today’s game was also attended by Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Levan Kipiani, Chief of the General Staff of Georgian Armed Forces Vakhtan Kapanadze and the International Rugby Board (IRB) President Bernard Lapasset.

A small crowd of Russian supporters was also present.

The high Georgian score ensured the team received a bonus point for scoring four tries against their opponent.

In addition, the victory against Russians has guaranteed Georgia a place in rugby's biggest forum. Today’s match was the second phase of the qualification for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

To date, the Georgian and Russian rugby teams have played each other 18 times. Of this, Georgia have won 16 matches, one game ended in a draw and one game ended with a victory for the Russian team.