"Better than all of Spain’s players" - Georgia star makes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia claim ahead of Euro 2024 knockout clash with La Roja
Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has said that attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is better than any Spain player ahead of their Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash on Sunday (June 30) in Cologne.
The Crusaders made their European Championship debut a memorable one by reaching the knockouts in their maiden attempt. They finished third in Group F, finishing behind group winners Portugal (6) and Turkey (6).
Their stunning 2-0 win over a much-changed A Selecao side brought them a tryst with history and a clash with three-time winners La Roja, who have looked one of the best teams at Euro 2024.
However, ahead of the meeting with La Roja, Mamardashvili said about Kvaratskhelia (as per Marca):
“I think it’s better than all of Spain’s players”
About his team's dream campaign in Germany, he added:
"We have already had a good Euro Cup. Now we have to enjoy, fight and compete."
Mamardashvili, though, is realistic about his team's chances against La Roja:
"For me, Spain is the big favorite to win the Euro Cup. Georgia, on the other hand, is a small country, but with a big heart, and we have to fight as hard as possible to see what happens."
Ranked 74th in the world, Georgia, with their win over sixth-ranked Portugal, scripted the biggest upset in European Championship history.
A look at Spain's Euro 2024 campaign so far
Three-time European winners Spain have been on a roll at Euro 2024. Perched in the 'group of death' with defending champions Italy in Group E, La Roja opened their campaign with a 3-0 demolition of Croatia.
Captain Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock in the 29th minute before Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal ended the game as a contest. Croatia had a late penalty ruled out due to infringement, but La Roja held on for a comfortable three points.
In their next Euro 2024 campaign, Luis de la Fuente's side locked horns with the Azzurri, prevailing by a Riccardo Calafiori own goal in the second half to book their place in the knockouts as group winners.
La Roja rang the changes but still had enough to beat Albania by a solitary goal in their final group game, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal of the contest in the 13th minute.