In Georgia’s first-ever debut in a major international competition, the Black Sea nation defeated Portugal 2-0 on Wednesday, marking a historic victory.

The club, led by Frenchman Willy Sagnol, finished third in Group F and advanced. They will take on the formidable Spain team on Sunday, who won every game in their group.

In a statement, the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed that its “honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili will award Georgia’s football team 30 million lari ($10.7 million) for qualifying for the last 16 of Euro 2024.”

It said, “In the event of a victory over Spain, an additional 30 million lari will be awarded.”
Despite not holding an official role in the government, Ivanishvili, the richest man in the nation, is often considered as a puppet master who controls power behind the scenes. He built his money in Russia during the 1990s.

His appointment as Georgian Dream’s “honorary chairman” last year formalized his authority to choose the prime ministerial candidate of the ruling party.

When he returned to active politics in 2023, there were concerns that he was moving Tbilisi away from the country’s aspiration to join the EU.

AFPWhen he returned to active politics in 2023, there were concerns that he was moving Tbilisi away from the country’s aspiration to join the EU.

AFP