Mamardashvili: Georgia's man mountain (2024)

Eight shots on target for Czech Republic in that first half — the most in a half of European Championship football since Euro 2016 — but no goals.

And that is because of one man: Giorgi Mamardashvili.

He has been sublime for Georgia so far and, with eight saves, has already levelled the record for most saves in a single match at Euro 2024. More of the same will be needed from the 23-year-old in the second half as Czech Republic push for a way back into the match.

HT Georgia 1-0 Czech Republic

Superb use of the snickometer in that penalty decision, after the ball very clearly thunked into the middle of Hranac's arm, just to confirm that he did handle it.

HT Georgia 1-0 Czech Republic

I'm not sure many players have had a worse 135 minutes at this European Championship than Czech Republic's Hranac.

He scored a calamitous own goal that brought Portugal back into the game on Tuesday before slipping and allowing Francisco Conceicao to score the winner. And today, it was his handball that led to Georgia's penalty.

Surely it can't get any worse for the 24-year-old!

HT Georgia 1-0 Czech Republic

Well, where to start with that stoppage-time period.

There was the gilt-edged chance for Kashia, the surprise VAR check, the penalty decision, the penalty scored and a huge save from Mamardashvili all in the space of a few minutes.

And even before that, it had been a brilliant game — let's hope for more of the same in the second.

HT Georgia 1-0 Czech Republic

What an ending to the half, one that Georgia have finished with the lead.

And breathe...

45+5' Georgia 1-0 Czech Republic

And Mamardashvili comes up HUGE at the other end for Georgia!

Czech Republic worked the ball into Schick from the kick-off and his left-footed strike from the edge of the box was destined for the bottom corner, but Mamardashvili flew across to make a vital save.

The Georgia goalkeeper has been, by far, the best player on the pitch so far.

45+4' Georgia 1-0 Czech Republic

Mikautadze sends Stanek the wrong way and Georgia have the lead!

45+2' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

Referee Siebert has been across to the VAR monitor and has awarded a penalty after a handball from Hranac.

There were no appeals for it, but it doesn't look good on the replays.

Mikautadze will take for Georgia...

45+1' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

That is as close as we have come to the opening goal and Georgia defender Kashia had to score.

A wide free kick dropped to him in the centre of the goal a few yards out, but his tame effort was brilliant saved by Stanek.

Now there's a VAR check for a penalty!

45' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

This Czech Republic side are "physical defenders". Small digs in the back. Little nudges as Georgia player try to entre the final third. Attacking players getting back to double up on any threats. Two players have been carded but they're very good at not getting noticed.

44' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

Well, with the other yellow cards that have been dished out, I'm not sure how Krejci has avoided one there.

After the ball had petered out for a Georgia throw, he shoved Davitashvili into the advertising hoardings and it was picked up by the assistant referee.

The referee moved across to diffuse the situation — and did — but somehow didn't get his yellow card back out.

42' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

The pitch seems to be cutting up in Hamburg - it was one of the two grounds that UEFA inspected just before the tournament and told the hosts to relay the pitch, the other being Dusseldorf.

There were significant issues in Frankfurt too, where England played — which we covered below.

40' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

In the last five minutes or so, the game has become very stop-start with fouls from both sets of players disrupting the rhythm.

The latest player to go tearing into a late challenge was Provod and he became the third player to have his name taken by the referee.

37' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

The game's second yellow card is shown to Georgia's Kashia. He arrived very late to a bit of a naughty challenge on Soucek, leaving the Czech Republic midfielder in a heap.

Kashia was not surprised at all to see the yellow card brandished by referee Siebert.

34' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

This is better from Georgia. Their first period of settled possession.

The cross didn't quite result in a shot in target, but they are beginning to find their rhythms.

33' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

Now, it is Georgia's turn to build a bit of pressure.

The Czech Republic barrage has eased somewhat and it has allowed their opponents to gain a foothold in the match.

No sign of any clear-cut chances, though.

30' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

This Georgia team could do with a target man to hold the ball up while Davitashvili and Kvaratskhelia can surge up the field. Mikautadze is a talented forward in his own right, but his side are lacking an outlet.

At the moment, Georgia resemble Steve Bruce's Newcastle with Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron. The wingers have to carry the ball 40-50 yards at a time to get into the final third.

28' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

Despite seeing their goal ruled out, Czech Republic are playing some brilliant stuff.

They have been Manchester City-like at times with their attacking cohesion and the latest fast-flowing, one-touch move left Cerny through on goal.

But he couldn't quite keep his balance and could not test Mamardashvili. The offside flag then went up anyway, so it would not have counted.

25' Georgia 0-0 Czech Republic

A big let off for Georgia who are very fortunate to see that one chalked off.

A cross into the box finally paid off for Czech Republic as Krejci won the first contact and Hlozek was the fastest to react at the far post.

His initial shot was saved by Mamardashvili but bounced back onto him and into the back of the net. Firstly, it hit Hlozek's face but then it ricocheted onto his arm which is why the goal has been, subsequently, disallowed.

24' Georgia 0-1 Czech Republic

A VAR check is underway for a potential handball.

Hlozek scored after the ball rebounded onto him from Mamardashvili, but did it catch his arm before going into the back of the net?