"I wish them good luck" - Giorgi Mamardashvili responds after Spain star says they want to 'score lot of goals' in Euro 2024 knockout clash vs Georgia
Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has laid down the gauntlet in response to Spain star Nacho Fernandez's recent comments ahead of their Euro 2024 encounter. The two nations meet in the last 16 of the tournament in Germany tomorrow (June 30) at Cologne Stadium.
Mamardashvili challenged La Roja to try their best to get past him amid an impressive campaign for the Valencia shot-stopper thus far. He said (via Madrid Zone):
"Nacho said they will try to score a lot of goals? I wish them good luck."
Mamardashvili, 23, has been one of Euro 2024's standout performers and arguably the best goalkeeper during the group stages. He leads the way with saves made (20) and kept a clean sheet in Georgia's memorable 2-0 win against Portugal.
Nacho, 34, had waxed lyrical about Mamardashvili ahead of Spain's clash with Willy Sagnol's Georgian underdogs. The veteran defender acknowledged his form for club and country but promised Luis de la Fuente's men would be eyeing lots of goals (via UEFA's official website):
"Mamardashvili has been proving himself to be a great goalkeeper for years. He is doing very well in La Liga and is having a fantastic Euro. He is an important player for the Georgian national team. But don't worry, we will score as many goals as possible and try to make sure he (has) a bad day."
Spain advanced to Euro 2024's knockout stages as the only nation to win all their group games. La Roja beat Albania (1-0), Italy (1-0) and Croatia (3-0) and have been the most exciting team to watch thus far.
Mamardashvili will need to be at his best when Georgia face the three-time European Champions. He'll know many of their players from playing for Valencia in La Liga.
"Spain is the big favorite" - Mamardashvili urged Georgia to show heart until the end in their Euro 2024 clash
Mamardashvili named Spain as his favorite to win Euro 2024 amid their three-game winning streak. They were somewhat outsiders heading into the tournament but the likes of France and England have majorly disappointed.
The Valencia goalkeeper looked to galvanize his teammates by explaining how he hoped Sagnol's side perform against La Roja. He said (via Marca):
"For me, Spain is the big favourite to win the Euros. 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. I'm not going to say that we are going to win. What we have to do is fight until the end and see what happens."
Spain has a strong record against Georgia, having met them in Euro 2024 qualifiers. La Roja beat them at home (3-1) and away (7-1), and you have to go back to June 2016 for the last time Jvarosnebi beat the Spaniards. They won 1-0 in an international friendly.