Georgia dominates Montenegro and shakes up the World Cup battle

Georgia executed its first match of the second qualifying phase perfectly. In Tbilisi, the team led by Aleksandar Dzikic displayed superior basketball, especially in the interior game, to dominate Montenegro without question. The score of 101-74 reflects the absolute superiority of the Georgians on a night where the calculations for the window were resolved emphatically. While Spain was losing ground in Zaragoza against Portugal, exactly what was least beneficial to Spanish interests was happening in the Georgian capital: a victory that thrust Georgia firmly into the struggle for the spots to access the world tournament.

The dominance of an irresistible trio

Toko Shengelia, captain and soul of the Georgian project, set the pace from the very beginning with 24 points and seven rebounds. His presence was decisive, not only in numbers but in the tactical direction he imposed on the match. At 34 years old, Shengelia remains the indisputable reference for his national team, even after recently leaving the Liga Endesa. The player paid nearly a million euros to terminate his contract with Barcelona and seek new experiences in Dubai under the orders of Xavi Pascual, but in these international windows, he remains the pillar on which Georgia rests.

Goga Bitadze completed the interior storm with 23 points and eight rebounds, once again demonstrating why he is considered one of the best centers in the region. His defensive capability and presence in the paint made life virtually impossible for the Montenegrin big men. Sandro Mamukelashvili rounded out the offensive triangle with a highly versatile performance: 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Between the three of them, they scored 64 points, more than enough for the match to lack excitement from the early moments.

Montenegro crumbles in defense

The Montenegrin team never found defensive answers against Georgia’s rhythm and precision. Yogi Ferrell, with 12 points, was the top scorer for the Balkans, followed by Igor Drobnjak and Jovan Kljajic, both with 11. Insufficient figures in a context where Georgia controlled the tempo of the game from the perimeter and dominated under the boards without debate. Marcquise Reed, the naturalized Georgian guard, contributed 12 points and eight assists, completing an offensive picture that operated without friction.

The 27-point difference was not the result of luck or a bad day for Montenegro, but of evident tactical and technical superiority. Georgia played where it wanted, when it wanted, and Montenegro had no capacity to impose its rhythm or press effectively. Dzikic’s team executed a clean game plan, with fluid ball circulation and smart offensive decisions that constantly put pressure on the opposing defense.

A group I transformed in just one day

The first day of the second phase has completely altered the landscape of group I. The standings after the first matches present a radically different picture than expected. Spain holds a record of 5-2, sharing the lead with Ukraine, also 5-2. Portugal has 4-3, while Montenegro, Georgia, and Greece stand at 4-3, 4-3, and 3-4 respectively. Six teams separated by just two victories, three spots available for the World Cup, and five games still to be played.

The Spanish defeat against Portugal in Zaragoza, combined with Ukraine's victory over Greece and the overwhelming Georgian win, has compressed the standings to unprecedented extremes. Any team can still dream of qualifying, but anyone can also find themselves out. The tiebreakers, those details that seem secondary, will play a decisive role. Spain lost the head-to-head average against Georgia in the last game of the first phase and has now surrendered it to Portugal as well. In such a tight group, those nuances can be as decisive as the results themselves.

The Shengelia factor and the Georgian experience

It is no small detail that Toko Shengelia, after six seasons in Baskonia and his time in Valencia, decided to leave the comfort of the Liga Endesa to take on a project abroad. His leadership in Georgia transcends the numbers he puts up in the score sheet. He is the reference that holds the team together in every qualifying window, the player who takes responsibility in critical moments, and the one who imparts experience to younger teammates. His ability to impose rhythm and his game vision were key in the superiority that Georgia displayed against Montenegro.

With five matchdays still ahead, group I presents a scenario where consistency will be fundamental. The teams with the best ability to maintain a stable level of performance will be the ones to advance to the next round. The extreme competitiveness of the group contrasts with the predictability that many assumed before the start of this second phase. Georgia has shown that it is capable of fighting for the top positions, and Montenegro, despite the rout, remains mathematically alive in the standings.

What’s next: a decisive second round

The next round of matches promises to be equally intense. Spain travels to Athens to face Greece in a match where the head-to-head average and shared leadership will be at stake. Georgia will host Ukraine in a direct clash between two of the strongest contenders. Portugal, for its part, will visit Montenegro in a match where the Balkans will seek to redeem themselves from the humiliation suffered. Each result will significantly alter the positions and possible scenarios for the final matchdays.

The standings have become a labyrinth where each victory adds up but guarantees nothing, and each defeat does not close doors definitively. Georgia, with its display of strength against Montenegro, has sent a clear message: it is here to compete for the spots to access the World Cup 2027. Spain, despite losing sole leadership, still has viable options. Portugal emerges as a dangerous rival. Ukraine remains among the favorites. Montenegro is still in the fight. Even Greece, with its most deficit record, is not mathematically eliminated. In such a compressed group, the upcoming matches will be decisive to determine who will be in Qatar in 2027.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Georgia domina Montenegro y revoluciona la pelea por el Mundial