Belgium defeat Georgia in EuroBasket opener

The International Basketball Federation noted in its highlights the “aggressive” play of Belgium squad, which recorded the first six steals of the game as they built a first half lead. They also added  “ultimately, Georgia turned the ball over 20 times as Belgium's defence prevailed”.Photo: Georgian Basketball Federation Facebook.

Agenda.ge, 02 Sep 2022 - 14:05, Tbilisi,Georgia

The opening match of EuroBasket for the Georgian national basketball team ended in a defeat to Belgium on Thursday, with the fate of the game decided in extra time.

A three-pointer by Jonathan Tabu three seconds from the end of the game gave the Belgian side a win with the score 79:76.

The International Basketball Federation noted in its highlights the “aggressive” play of Belgium squad, which recorded the first six steals of the game as they built a first half lead. They also added  “ultimately, Georgia turned the ball over 20 times as Belgium's defence prevailed”. 

Photo: Georgian Basketball Federation Facebook.

Georgia’s Goga Bitadze was injured in the course of the difficult encounter, with FIBA saying he had “fought bravely, however, limped off the court late in the fourth”.

Georgia’s head coach Ilias Zouros said his squad had “tried hard” and fans in the stands had given them energy, but noted the team had made many mistakes. “Tactically we didn't follow some of the things we had prepared”, he pointed out.