Spain faced a tough test in Georgia on Monday as part of the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. A young threat emerged just as the rival crowd began to settle in, disrupting the locals and proving to be a spark for his team. Rati Andronikashvili, a player who competes in the NCAA, helped his team swing the momentum, with Thad McFadden, Giorgi Shermadini, and Toko Shengelia playing pivotal roles for the visitors.
Although Spain had already clinched progression to the next knockout phase, their encounters against teams that advance tend to stretch into the second stage. Coach Sergio Scariolo underscored the significance of every match, especially one against an eager opponent. Spain initially struggled to seize control, allowing the Georgian squad to seize the initiative and take advantage of several missteps. The early period saw the hosts press hard, forcing some errors and giving Georgia a temporary advantage.
From the outset, Spain aimed to neutralize Shengelia and Shermadini, yet the home side remained composed. McFadden showed remarkable activity, using pressure defense and long-range shooting to close the first quarter with the advantage, preventing Spain from mounting a comeback. Scariolo called for adjustments as the offense hit a wall, and Georgia capitalized on several counterattacks. A first-half sequence, including a 6’75 line attempt, and a critical seven-foot shot, helped the locals establish a modest margin (21-16, end of the first period).
A halftime regroup brought a noticeable shift. Joel Parra returned to boost pace and Jaime Fernández injected energy, helping Spain regain tempo. Georgia realized they had lost their earlier control but remained resilient, closing the half with a narrow lead thanks to Shengelia’s buzzer-beating basket (37-31 at the break).
The Georgia bench cheered their side as the break split the momentum. Yet Spain remained stubborn, with Xabi López-Arostegui contributing on both ends and Ferran Bassas delivering critical support. Spain’s offense found rhythm, and Jaime Pradilla added a timely basket to pull the score within reach (41-43, 27th minute).
The battle intensified as both teams exchanged blows. The home defense pressured McFadden, making scoring harder, but the nationalized guard held firm, while Shengelia operated effectively on both sides of the floor to keep his team in front. With minutes to play, the scoreboard read a one-point game, establishing a dramatic finish (60-59, late in the third period).
López-Arostegui, Parra, and McFadden were instrumental as Georgia faced the threat of slipping away. A decisive steal by Andronikashvili over Bassas set up a late scare, though Brizuela tied the game with a three-pointer with eighteen seconds left. Shengelia’s late opportunity did not come to fruition, and the game moved to a final possession with everything on the line.
Brizuela’s final initiative earned him credit for the attack, yet Andronikashvili reclaimed momentum for Georgia with a late steal and a burst of consecutive points. Parra narrowed the gap, but with under thirty seconds to go, McFadden delivered a crucial three to tilt the balance once again.
The match remained tense until the final moments as Spain pushed for a turnaround. Andronikashvili’s late sequence kept Georgia within striking distance, while Parra’s late efforts narrowed the deficit. In the closing seconds, a three by McFadden capped a dramatic finish and sealed the result. The final result stood with Georgia edging ahead in a nail-biting finish.
Data sheet
82 – Georgia (15+22+7+23+15): McFadden (16), Andronikashvili (17), Sanadze (8), Shengelia (12), Shermadini (18) – five starts – Bakradze (-), Bekauri (5), Bokolishvili (-), Burjanadze (3) and Jintcharaze (3).
76 – Spain (14+17+16+20+9): Colom (-), López-Arostegui (14), Parra (11), Pradilla (6), Guerra (10) – five starts – Barreiro (-), Bassas (10), Fernández (3), Sima (2), Brizuela (12), Diez (4) and Saiz (4).
Referees: Glisic (SER), Vojinovic (MNE) and Prpa (Serbia). They ruled out the local Jintcharaze.
Events: The match was part of the qualifying windows for the 2023 World Cup, played in front of 8,000 spectators at the Tbilisi Arena in Tbilisi.
Cited sources: BaloncestoEspaña, athletic and sports reporting outlets. (Citations attributed to team press materials and post-match reports.)