Shengelia Puts Georgia Back On Top

Forward Tornike Shengelia registered a double-double in points and rebounds to lead Georgia to an important road win

Georgia remain on course for a spot at the EuroBasket next summer by going back to the top of Qualification Round Group D after Tornike Shengelia showed his quality in a 91-74 win in Romania.

Shengelia was the pick of an impressive number of fine Georgian performances as he completed a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds to manouvere his team into a strong position and to the verge of booking successive Final Round appearances.

Georgia never looked like they would falter after leading Romania from tip to buzzer, always managing to hold their opponent at arm's length and managing to pull away any time the home side threatened a period of rejuvenation.

Having built a double-figure lead at 42-31, Georgia witnessed their supremacy threatened when Romania finished their scoring in the first-half with a quick-fire eight points only for Manuchar Markoishvilli to convert from behind the three-point line to once again slow down the hosts' momentum.

That became a familiar pattern during the second half as Georgia kept Romania at bay to ease their way to the win and take one step nearer their target of making it to Slovenia.

George Tsintadze dished up eight assists for Georgia whilst Rares Mandache had 22 points for the losing team.

Quotes Romania vs. Georgia

Georgia head coach Igor Kokoskov
"It's a big win for us. We didn't underestimate in any moment the Romania team. They have a very good team, with talented players. We came here to win, but we knew that it would be a tough game. We hoped in victory till the end and we played 40 minutes to obtain this. We won the game in the end of the fourth quarter."

Romania head coach Mladen Ostojic
"First of all, I want to congratulate Georgia. We played better in Georgia than here. They have an excellent team, with a lot of very good players. We try to do the best, but we must be concentrated all the game on offense. Today, my team gave 100%, but little things on defense made the difference."

Georgia player Tomike Shengelia
"For us it was a good performance after the last loss in the Netherlands. We've tried to do a very good job in defense. Romania was a good opponent and they didn't give up untill last few minutes. We have three more games left and we hope to qualify. But the next game is important."

Romania player Andrei Mandache
"It was a very difficult game. This evening we played against a very experienced team which, unfortunately for us, controlled the game most of the time. In the end, you saw the difference on the scoreboard. Our team had oscillating moments. With very good phases of play, but also with weaker moments, with a lot of mistakes in defense. Towards the end we fell physically."