There is felt in every step that EuroBasket takes place in Ljubljana – in streets, in buses, in stores. Local television stations broadcast the championship matches widely and differently. They televise not only the members of the team, but the concrete participating countries, fans and journalists.
I attended the match of Latvia – Ukraine yesterday. I spread banners and Georgian flag on tribune before the match. Ainars Bagatskis, head coach of Latvian team, immediately noticed this and loudly greeted us. As far as you know, he was the head coach of “Sokhumi”, Georgian basketball team, in February-October 2011. The assistant of Ainars, Arnis Vecvagars, also greeted us emotionally and warmly. I shouted to the Latvian team as loud as I could: “Latvia, hello from Georgia”. After a while in Ukrainian “Long live to the independent Ukraine”. When they saw such warmly reaction of Bagatskis, Vecvagars and basketball players, approximately 15-members group of Latvian fans sat near us.
Both sides were sorry that Georgia was not able to go out the group and they said jokingly: Georgia is still presented for the 2nd stage of EuroBasket – and if there will be a banners and flags of Georgia.
In the morning, we arrived in the hotel “Cubo”, which is situated in the center of Ljubljana, where the team of Slovenia settled. When we arrived the Slovenians were hurrying to the practice and they were sorry that they could not talk to us. But they expressed with a few words their warm attitude toward Georgia and our team…on my question – “What intends Slovenia, vice –champion or…” one of the Slovenian raised up his hands, smiled and told us – oh, there is a big way before it.
The Slovenian team leaves in the hotel “Cubo”, others live in the suburb of the city. We asked to the administration of “Cubo”, why the name of this hotel was such? They answered that the hotel is 4,5 star – one of the best in Ljubljana. It was opened 2 years ago, there are only 3 floors and beautiful restaurant. Before this there was a prestigious restaurant of the same name here. The administration could not explain what does this word mean. But we find out that at first the owner of the restaurant decided to open the restaurant “for the spirit”…
It is so lyrical deviation. In fact, it does not matter for Slovenian team and for Slovenians. Local fans and professionals hope, that Slovenia will go through the semifinal of EuroBasket, but after the loss against Croatia and Poland, their prognosis became more cautious. Slovenia will face to Italy today evening at “Stozice Arena”.
Tengiz Pachkoria, Ljubljana. especially for www.worldsport.ge
Photos by Khatuna Gabitashvili
EuroBasket-2013 is presented by online bookmaker TBILISIBET.COM and Spanish sports clothing manufacturer Joma
