Georgia‘s players will be decorated with the country’s Order of Honor following their historic qualification for Euro 2024.
Manager Willy Sagnol’s side won 4-2 in a penalty shootout against Greece on Tuesday in Tbilisi, meaning the country qualified for its first major tournament.
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“I want to congratulate our footballers on the historic victory and success achieved,” Georgia’s prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze said in a statement. “History was truly written … we have succeeded for the first time over these 30 years to get to the tournament of the highest ranking — the European Championship.
“We’ve taken the decision of granting the Orders of Honor to our praiseworthy members of the national football team of Georgia. We will be nominating the entire coaching team and management of the Georgian Football Federation.
“These people are truly honorable and it is the least we can do to reward them on behalf of the country and state.”
Videos on social media showed Georgia’s players dancing and singing in the changing room at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena after the game while fans celebrated on the streets of the nation’s capital.
“This achievement fills us with immense pride, of course!” Kobakhidze said. “It is impossible to convey the feelings and happiness which was experienced and which unified the entire country.”
The National Bank of Georgia announced it will issue an exclusive Euro 2024 collector’s coin to celebrate the football team’s feat.
Ranked 77th in the world by FIFA, Georgia will play in Group F at Euro 2024, alongside Portugal, Czechia and Turkey.