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Well there weren’t many that expected this to be the 2 teams in the final!
Well there weren’t many that expected this to be the 2 teams in the final!
Georgia was obviously a banker but not many were saying Spain to make it through to the final. Especially, having played Portugal away in the Iberian Derby. Los Leones have done it their own way and now get the chance to have another stab at the Georgians in their own back yard.
Having a very lively affair in Madrid, a month ago, both teams will have had a pre cursor to what each other have to offer. But what has changed since that ding dong.
Spain have managed to execute a frustrating game plan against an expansive Portuguese side in Lisbon. And must have a similar plan to frustrate and slow down the Georgian onslaught. But unless there is a one sided flurry of cards, and key injuries. I don’t see another Tier 2 team that can match the Georgian game play this year. Although, the gap is closing slightly, there is still a sizeable gap.
Georgia make a number of changes ahead of this tie. They rotated the side ahead of the Romania clash and look to have returned some further strength in a different type of game ahead. Davit Niniashvili comes into 10, with Luka Matkava not in the squad having lost his brother earlier in the week. Dachi Papunashvili will fill the full back role and give a similar attack line from the Madrid battle. They will be looking to exploit any space offered to them and go forward at every opportunity.
Georgia Starting XV (1-15) Nika Abuladze, Vano Karkadze, Luka Japaridze, Mikheil Babunashvili, Lado Chachanidze, Luka Ivanishvili, Beka Saginadze, Beka Gorgadze, Vaso Lobzhanidze, Davit Niniashvili, Sandro Todua, Tornike Kakhoidze, Georges Shvelidze, Akaki Tabutsadze, Dachi Papunashvili
Georgia Replacements (16-23) Irakli Kvatadze, Giorgi Akhaladze, Irakli Aptsiauri, Guram Ganiashvili, Tornike Jalagonia, Gela Aprasidze, Luka Tsirekidze, Giorgi Kveseladze
Spain only make 2 replacements to the starting 15 from the trip to Lisbon. Ekain Imaz replaces Mateo Triki in the pack, and Alberto Carmona comes in at full back for Feta Casteglioni. Lucien Richards earns a recall to the bench and Alvor Gimieno comes in add options for the backline. Spain are building a real togetherness in their performances and avoiding too many replacements is a benefit for that. They will have to be well up for it, and keep their heads to avoid a feisty repeat of the Madrid battle.
Spain Starting XV (1-15) Titi Futeu, Alvaro Garcia Albo, Joaquin Dominguez, Matthew Foulds, Manex Ariceta, Mario Pichardi, Ekain Imaz, Raphael Nieto, Estanislao Bay, Gonzalo Vinuesa, Gauthier Minguillon, Gonzalo Lopez Bontempo, Inaki Mateu, Martiniano Cian, Alberto Carmona
Spain Replacements (16-23) Pablo Miejimolle Ligero, Hugo Pirlet, Lucas Santamaria, Ignacio Piñeiro, Vicente Boronat, Facundo Munilla lo Duca, Alvar Gimeno, Lucien Richardis
Can’t really see Georgia throwing away a home advantage in the hunt for 8th consecutive title. It will be a high scoring affair again, with Georgia winning by 20.
