On Tuesday, thousands of Georgians took to the streets of Tbilisi carrying flags to give a rousing welcome to their national team returning from an impressive debut at the European Championship. Despite being knocked out in the Round of 16 by Spain, the team’s qualification for the knockout stage as first-timers filled the nation with pride.
The Georgian heroes rode an open-top bus through the capital, cheered on by the crowd, arriving at Freedom Square for a ceremony in their honor. Fireworks lit up the sky in celebration.
Levan Zhvania, the Head of the Presidential Administration, said, “We have gathered here today to express gratitude for the positive emotions and fantastic performances our players brought. As a debutant team, they achieved remarkable results.” He also emphasized that the Georgian people are proud of their players.
President Salome Zourabichvili attended the ceremony, presenting the players with honorary medals for their “historic feat” and for “advancing football in the country.” Zourabichvili noted that the players had earned both the government’s and the people’s recognition.
George Kacharava, a midfielder for Georgia’s national team and Levante UD in Spain, shared, “We had an unforgettable journey in Germany. As first-time participants, we showed our character and achieved our main goal. We believe the people of Georgia will be proud of us. We are delighted and confident that even better results lie ahead.”