After “Basko” (1), “Dinamo” (1), STU-“Geocell” (1), TSU – “Nikora” (1), SSAU (1), “MIA Academy” (1), “Energy-Invest” (1), “Tbilaviamshen” (2) and “Armia” (2), “Kutaisi-2010” became the 10th team, which won the Georgian Cup in basketball.
In the final 12th meeting of Georgian Cup “Kutaisi-2010” won over “Sokhumi” 81:66. “Sokhumi” participated for the first time in the decisive meeting of the Cup and “Kutaisi-2010” for the second time. For the first time “Kutaisi” was in final of the Cup in the 10th draw, where lost to “Armia” 80:86. In the current 23th National Championship “Kutaisi-2010” has 24 points and is in the 3rd place. As for “Sokhumi”, it has 21 points and occupies the 6th position. “Kutaisi-2010” was considered as a favorite. They opened the score, but “Sokhumi” equalized soon and promoted 8:2, however “Sokhumi” could not maintain the advantage. The first three quarters proceeded with transition advantage. During this time, none of these teams maintained the advantage. At the 2nd minute of the 3rd quarter “Sokhumi” promoted 38:32. After this “Kutaisi-2010” won 45:38. Despite such failure, “Sokhumi” was still able to mobilize and 2 minutes before the end of the 3rd quarter minimized the difference 49:50).
The fate of the match was decided in the final quarter. “Sokhumi” was tired and “Kutaisi-2010” used this opportunity and defeated them with a big score 81:66.
Vakhtang Kadaria, forward of “Sokhumi” had the highest 23 points in this meeting. Zaur Pashaev (18 p. 9 as.8 reb.) had the best result from “Kutaisi-2010”. Akaki Dvalishvili, teammate of Pashaev and forward scored the double-double by 12 points and 20 rebounds.
Giorgi Barbakadze (16 p. 4 as. 7 reb.), forward of “Kutaisi-2010”, was named as the best basketball player of the final, who was given a special prize. A special prize was also awarded to Malkhaz Kokhreidze, head coach of “Kutaisi-2010”. As for the main prize, it was awarded to Davit Barbakadze, captain of this team. After winning Dudu Dadiani Memorial, Georgian Cup is the second tournament, which “Kutaisi-2010” won in its history.
With the exception of Zaur Pashaev (Azerbaijan), “Kutaisi-2010” is fully staffed by the Georgians. Thus they proved that it’s possible to make a good team with the Georgian basketball players too.
Despite the defeat, how can we say anything negative about the players of “Sokhumi”, who have not received their salaries for 7 months. Despite the financial crisis, “Sokhumi” won Dudu Dadiani Memorial this season and played in the final of Zurab Sakandelidze-Mikheil Korkia Memorial and Georgian Cup. So far, none of the Georgian teams showed such a good result in 2013-2014. Championship final and Super Cup is ahead and it is possible to “Sokhumi” and “Kutaisi-2010” in the decisive meeting of Super Cup.
Press conference was held after the final:
Mediko Mkheide (assistant of the head coach of “Kutaisi-2010”): “Thanks to everyone, who shared the victory of “Kutaisi-2010”. The final is always tense and unpredictable. This meeting was no exception and both teams deserved to win. We had a slight hitch in the first half, in the second half we improved the game and got the desired result. We all know the problems of “Sokhumi”. If we were in equal conditions, no one knows what the final outcome would be”.
Vazha Kvaratskhelia: “I congratulate Kutaisi this victory. “Kutaisi-2010” is uncomfortable opponent for us and we almost every time loss to them. Due to our current situation, winning the final was almost impossible for us and it happened so. It is difficult to demand the basketball player accomplish the task, who have not received salary for 7 months”…
Roland Labuchidze
