Important Georgian victory

Georgia beat Romania 22-7 in Tblissi on Saturday, thereby retaining the Antim Cup and consolidating their position at the top of the European Nations Cup.  Romania's defeat more or less eliminates them from contention.

The way things look, only Russia have a reasonable chance of stopping Georgia from again winning the title.

Romania opted for a team with only a very few foreign players.  Most of them are home-based players and young.

It was icy cold.  The maximum temperature was just 2°C, and the field had to be swept before the match.

The sides each scored a try in a match which was perhaps closer than expected.

At half-time the Lelos led just 10-7.  They were up 10-0 after Mamuka Gorgodze's power had opened the scoring but then veteran Marius Tincu, playing flank, scored a try.  The only scoring in the second half came from the boot.

Tincu, usually a hooker, and big Ionut Dimofte, both World Cup players were late inclusions.

Scorers:

For Georgia:
Try:  Gorgodze
Con:  Barkalaia
Pens:  Barkalaia 4
Drop:  Malaghuradze

For Romania:
Try:  Tincu
Con:  Vlaicu

Teams:

Georgia:  15 Otar Barkalaia, 14 George Shkinini, 13 David Katcharava, 12 Irakli Giorgadze, 11 Irakli Chkhikvadze, 10 Lasha Malaghuradze, 9 Irakli Abusseridze (captain), 8 Dimitri Bassil, 7 George Chkhaidze, 6 Shalva Sutiashvili, 5 Mamuka Gorgodze, 4 Kakha Uchava, 3 David Zirakashvili, 2 Irakli Natriashvili, 1 Goderdzi Shvelidze
Replacements:  16 David Dadunashvili, 17 David Kubriashvili, 18 Rati Urushadze, 19 Zviad Maissuradze, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Meko Kvirikashvili, 22 Rezo Guigauri

Romania:  15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Gheorghita Bigiu, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Catalin Dascalu, 11 Stefan Ciuntu, 10 Ionut Dimofte, 9 Valentin Calafeteanu, 8 Costica Mersoiu (captain), 7 Marius Tincu, 6 Mihai Macovei, 5 Alin Coste, 4 Valentin Poparlan, 3 Ion Paulica, 2 Bogdan Zebega, 1 Radu Basalau
Replacements:  16 Marcel Mihalache, 17 Mihai Adascalitei, 18 Vasile Rus, 19 Stelian Burcea, 20 Ciprian Caplescu, 21 Dan Vlad, 22 Catalin Fercu

Referee:  Neil Ballard (Wales)
Touch judges:  David Williams (Wales), Wayne Davies (Wales)

Lelos shock Oaks in Bucaresti

Georgia won the Antim Cup when they beat neighbours Romania 20-17 at the Stadion Ghencea in Bucharest on Saturday afternoon.

This away win could well mean that Georgia will -- not for the first time, -- wrest the European Nations Cup from Romania.  It is played over two legs and the second leg, next year, between the two rivals will be in Tblissi.

Georgia, who had assembled in Bucharest on Monday, had led 13-6 at half-time and 20-9 early in the second half till the Romanians fought back.

Scorers:

For Romania:
Try:  Petre
Drop:  Tofan
Pens:  Vlaicu 3

For Georgia:
Tries:  Guiorgadze, Udessiani
Cons:  Kvirikashvili 2
Pens:  Kvirikashvili 2

Teams:

Georgia:  15 Paliko Jimsheladze, 14 Gosha Shkinini, 13 Rezo Guigauri, 12 Irakli Guiorgadze, 11 Irakli Machkaneli, 10 Meko Kvirikashvili, 9 Irakli Abusseridze, 8 Besso Udessiani, 7 Mamuka Magrakvelidze, 6 Ilia Maissuradze, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Ilia Zedguinidze (captain), 3 David Zirakashvili, 2 Akvsent Guiorgadze, 1 David Khinchaguishvili
Replacements:  16 Avtandil Kopaliani, 17 David Gasviani, 18 Victor Didebulidze, 19 George Chkhaidze, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 David Katcharava, 22 George Elizbarashvili

Romania:  15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Catalin Fercu, 13 Gabriel Brezoianu, 12 Romeo Gontineac, 11 Cristian Sauan, 10 Ionut Tofan, 9 Lucian Sarbu, 8 Costica Mersoiu, 7 Mihai Macovei, 6 Florin Corodeanu, 5 Cristian Petre, 4 Sorin Socol, 3 Petrisor Toderasc, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Petru Balan.
Replacements:  16 Cezar Popescu, 17 Razvan Mavrodin, 18 Ion Paulica, 19 Valentin Ursache, 20 Valentin Calafateanu, 21 Csaba Gal, 22 Iulian Dumitras

Referee:  Colin Stanley (Ireland)
Touch judges:  Alan Rogan (Ireland), David Wilkinson (Ireland)