Spain shock Georgia

The Leones of Spain pulled off a great surprise when they beat the Lelos of Georgia 32-17 in Madrid on Saturday afternoon in a European Nations Cup match.

Spain had lost to Portugal, Russia and Romania in earlier matches while the Lelos had beaten the mighty Oaks of Romania, the reigning champions.

This is a pleasing win for Spain over a team qualified to go to the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The match did not begin well for the home side.  Spain made a mess of the kick-off and conceded a five-metre scrum from which for David Bolgashvili scored a try for the visitors in the very first minute of the game, but, as Spain began to exert pressure on the Georgians, three penalties by Estaban Roqué gave Spain a 9-5 lead at the break.

The Leones got their first try early in the second half when David Mota went over under the posts and Roqué converted.  16-5.  That lead did not last long for Bolgashvili got a second try, this time converted by Merab Kvirikashvili.  16-12.

Spain extended the lead when Victor Marlet got his first try, chasing Roqué's kick ahead.  This was followed by one by wing George Shkinin to make the score 23-17.  Roqué kicked a fourth penalty and then Spain attacked from a five-metre scrum.  Mota chipped ahead and Marlet got his second try, just before the final whistle.

It was a happy day for the Spaniards in Madrid on Saturday.

Scorers:

For Spain:
Tries:  Mota, Martlet 2
Cons:  Roqué 2
Pens:  Roqué 4

For Georgia:
Tries:  Bolgashvili 2, Shkinin
Con:  Kvirikashvili

Teams:

Spain:  15 Pedro Martín, 14 Juan Cano, 13 David Mota, 12 Javier Canosa, 11 Víctor Marlet, 10 Esteban Roqué, 9 Pablo Feijóo, 8 Iván Criado, 7 Alfonso Mata, 6 Cyril Hijar, 5 Sergio Souto, 4 Guillermo Barcena, 3 Javier Salazar, 2 José María Bohórquez, 1 Óscar Ferreras.
Replacements:  16 Manuel Serrano, 17 César Caballero, 18 Juan González, 19 Martín Aceña, 20 Carlos Arenas, 21 Manuel Olivares, 22Manuel Mazo

Georgia:  15 George Elizbarashvili, 14 Otra Eloshvili, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Irakli Giorgadze, 11 George Shkinin, 10 Merab Kvirikashvili, 9 Bidzina Samkharadze, 8 David Bolgashvili, 7 Sandro Mchedlishvili, 6 Ilia Maisuradze, 5 Viktor Didebulidze, 4 Shalva Papashvili, 3 David Ashvetia, 2 Revaz Belkania, 1 Avtandil Kopaliani.
Replacements:  16 David Dadunashvili, 17 George Jgenti, 18 George Nemsadze, 19 Bevan Gevelidze, 20 George Kacharava, 21 Irakli Chkhikvadze, 22 David Gurgenidze

Referee:  Dean Richards (England)
Touch judges:  Roy Maybank (England), Paul Emerson (England)
Match Commisioner:  Gilbert Gruel (Belgium)