The Georgian national basketball team celebrated the most titled victory in its history. The team of Igor Kokoskov which is preparing for EuroBasket 2013 without injured captain Zaza Pachulia and Tornike Shengelia defeated one of the European grands Serbia 75:71.

The mentioned game was held at the Antibes international tournament and 1000 spectators attended it at “Azur Arena”. In the first game the Serbs were close to beating the host France. The guests were winning but in overtime the hosts did not lose their chance…

The Serbs were considered as favorites and justified their status in the first half. The team of Dusan Ivkovic advanced with 9:1. The Georgians managed to improve the situation but the opponent had advantage.

At the third minute of the second quarter Manuchar Markoishvili scored 3 points and advanced the Georgians (20:19). It was followed by horrible period for our team. The Georgians basketball players could not score a point for 4.5 minutes. The Serbs advanced – 36:20.

Nothing has changed before the big break. The Serbs controlled the game and had a 15-point advantage (42:27) after the second quarter. The fate of the game seemed to be decided but a miracle happened in the second half.

The third quarter turned out decisive. The Georgians won it 26:10. Viktor Sanikidze scored 8 points, Levan Patsatsia – 2 3 points, Giorgi Tsintsadze – 4 points and Manuchar Markoishvili – 3 points bonus free throw.

Thanks to 2 points of Nikoloz Tskitishvili, our team was leading (53:52) before the fourth quarter. Two minutes turned out important. Tsintsadze scored 3 points, Beka Burjanadze – 1 and the Georgian basketball players advanced with 10 points (66:56).

The Georgians kept the score till 01:23 minutes before the final siren. Sanikidze scored 2 points and 72:62. Finally, the Georgians won 75:71.

And who was the best on arena? Sanikidze was the best from the Georgians with 19 points. Tsintsadze earned 17 points, Markoishvili – 11 points, Shermadini – 7 points and 12 rebounds.

It is a pity that the Georgian fans could not watch this game. But today they can watch the game against France which will start at 22:30 Tbilisi time. French Sport+ will broadcast live.

Antibes international tournament

Georgia - Serbia 75:71 (14:17, 13:25, 26:10, 22:19)

Georgia: Tsintsadze (34 mins. 17 p. 3 rebs. 5 a. 4 s.), Shermadini (28 mins. 7 p. 12 rebs.), Markoishvili (32 mins. 11 p. 4 rebs. 3 s.), Patsatsia (25 mins. 6 p. 3 a.), Sanikidze (28 mins. 19 p. 6 rebs.); Sanadze (15 mins. 3 p. 3 rebs.), Tskitishvili (14 mins. 2 p. 3 rebs.), Burjanadze (8 mins. 3 p.), Lezhava (10 mins. 4 p.), Pkhakadze (4 mins. 3 p.).

Head coach: Igor Kokoskov.

Serbia: Bogdanovic (35 mins. 12 p. 6 rebs.), Bjelica (24 mins. 8 p. 4 rebs.), Markovic (23 mins. 3 p. 7 rebs. 4 a.), Nenad Krstic (24 mins. 14 p.), Kalinic (16 mins. 2 p. 3 rebs.); Nemanja Krstic (2 mins.), Dangubic (3 mins.), Mitrovic (16 mins. 4 p. 4 rebs.), Andusic (23 mins. 13 p.), Stimac (16 mins. 10 p. 5 rebs.), Micic (18 mins. 5 p.).

Head coach: Dusan Ivkovic.

Dato Manjavidze