The Secret Behind Georgia's Great German Adventure

Willy Sagnol's team have taken the tournament by storm with a distinct style and enthusiasm that should worry Spain

- MIGUEL DELANEY

As Khvicha Kvaratskhelia attempted to put words to what he'd helped create, with so much joyous feeling swirling around his brain, his thoughts ultimately went to the only place they could. “I’d love to see what’s happening in Tbilisi,” the Georgia playmaker said.

It’s a nice line, of a type that can be said about many smaller countries enjoying a first national moment. Those who attend the tournament actually miss it, because the real event is back home: the parties, the elation. Granted, the thousands of raucous Georgians who made the pilgrimage to Gelsenkirchen for this historic 2-0 win over Portugal won’t be feeling like that, especially after their victorious team insisted on a celebratory photo in front of them.

While Kvaratshkelia and his teammates will now be watching videos from back home, everyone else should want to watch them. That doesn’t just apply to their elated countrymen. On Sunday, Georgia will meet Spain, probably the team of the tournament so far. The Spanish, however, will be facing the story of the tournament so far. Even Roberto Martinez noted how Portugal “didn’t match their intensity”.

No one else can match the narrative and emotional momentum around Georgia. All of their games are spectacles, amplified by a national fervour, and with their team playing entertaining and genuinely distinctive football. Martinez was one of many to say as much, lauding their ingenuity. Georgia’s victory may have been counterattacking but it wasn’t quite backs-to-the-wall because they were so willing to get on the front foot… and then turn the other way onto the other foot. Georgia poured forward with abandon and adventure. It was thrilling.