David Marshall's Euro Diary Day 17 - An Ode to Georgia (Patreon)

I come to you tonight, heartbroken and inconsolable. My beloved Georgia have been cruelly ripped out of this tournament like a baby deer suckling from its mother’s teet. I have prepared a short acrostic poem that I would like to share with you all. It’s called “An Ode to Georgia”

G is for Georgia, the Georgist of all the Georgias

E is for everything, that you have come to mean to me

O is for overwhelmed, by my love for you precious Georgia

R is for Russian battleship, that you told to fuck off 

I is for irreplaceable, there will never be another like you 

A is for adieu, you were too pure for this tournament. 

By David Marshalladze 

Thank you. 

It all started so well. After bravely enduring a vicious Spanish onslaught at the beginning of the game, it looked like the miracle was on. Otar Kakabadze burst down the right wing and put in a dazzling cross which was turned into the net for yet another own-goal by Robin le Normand.

Delirium in the stands of Cologne, delirium in the streets of Tbilisi, delirium on a blue couch in Linwood!

Georgia had to go back to soaking up the pressure but there was a moment when I thought for a second they might double their lead. We had a short VAR review when Georgia should have had, for what I thought was, an obvious penalty. But the corrupt bureaucrats at UEFA are no fun and decided there was no infringement. Disgraceful. 

Spain would get the equaliser through a jammy goal from Rodri. A goal which should have been ruled out for offside as, to me, Alvaro Morata was clearly in an offside position and interfering with the play. Another disgusting decision. 

I’ll be honest though, at this point, I was starting to worry. Georgia were clearly desperate for the halftime whistle and Spain were quite incredible in attack. Fabián Ruiz put Spain ahead early in the second half and it already looked like curtains for brave and mighty Georgia. 

Nico Williams produced a sublime goal before an exquisite finish from Dani Olmo finally sealed Georgia's fate. If I’m being honest, Spain were worthy winners tonight and were fantastic to watch. From what I’ve seen so far, I just don’t know who stops them. 

Next up for Spain is a tantalising quarter-final tie with Germany. The old boche will have my full support as I seek some revenge. As for Georgia, they may have not won the tournament but they have won my heart. And isn’t that the real prize? The answer…is no. 

What else happened today? Ah yes, England were boring, dull and insipid again before getting bailed out by the amazing Jude Bellingham. They’ll face Switzerland next where they could be in some trouble.