Spain run Georgia close
Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:59
Spain who led 17-12 at half-time and went ahead 20-12 early in the second half on Saturday just lost 22-20 to the Georgia, the new European Nations Cup Champions, and that in Tblissi.
It was a fine display by the Leones and suggests that their victory over the Lelos in Madrid in the first leg of the tournament was no fluke.
At one stage the young Spanish side led 17-0 but eventually the power of the Georgian pack prevailed. Spain struck early with a try by Juan Cano, converted by flyhalf Mathieu Gratton. The second try was a brilliant solo effort by the Leicester Tigers scrumhalf Pablo Feijóo who eluded several tacklers and raced 60 metres to score. After 20 minutes Spain led 14-0. Gratton then goaled a penalty.
The Georgian pack then took over with several-phased driving and two tries to reduce the Spanish lead to 17-12.
At the start of the second half Gratton made the score 20-12. That ended Spain's scoring.
A Spanish error at the time-out gave the home side their first score of the second half and then, while fullback Cesare Sempere was in the sin bin, the winning try.
Jesús Moreno, Juan González Marruecos and Jesús Recuerda made their debuts for Spain.
Georgia were then presented with the Championship trophy.
Scorers:
For Georgia:
Tries: Gorgodze 3, Urushadze
Con: Barkalaia
For Spain:
Tries: Cano, Feijóo
Cons: Gratton 2
Pens: Gratton 2
Georgia: 15 Otar Barkalaia, Malkhaz Urjukashvili, 13 David Katcharava, 12 Rezo Guigauri, 11 Sandro Todua, 10 Lasha Malaghuradze, 9 Irakli Abusseridze [Capt], 8 Dimitri Bassilaia, 7 George Chkhaidze, 6 Rati Urushadze, 5 Mamuka Gorgodze, 4 George Nemsadze, 3 David Kubriashvili, 2 Irakli Natriashvili, 1 David Dadunashvili
Replacements: 16 Simon Maissuradze, 17 Shota Melikidze, 18 Kakhaber Uchava, 19 Bessarion Udessiani, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Merab Kvirikashvili, 22 George Shkinini
Spain: 15 César Sempere, 14 Juan Cano, 13 Javier Canosa, 12 Jaime Nava, 11 Ignacio Martín, 10 Mathieu Gratton, 9 Pablo Feijóo, 8 Iván Criado [Capt] , 7 Rafael Camacho, 6 Cyril Hijar, 5 Sergio Souto, 4 Leandro Fdez-Aramburu, 3 Javier Salazar, 2 José Mª Bohórquez, 1 Jesús Moreno
Replacements: 16 Manuel Serrano, 17 Juan González, 18 Jesús Recuerda, 19 Martín Emir Heredia, 20 Víctor Marlet, 21 Manuel Mazo, 22 Rafael Álvarez
Referee: Carlo Damasco Italy)
Touch judges: Domenico Sironi Italy), Riccardo Bonaccorsi Italy)
