Georgia qualified for Euro 2024 thanks to a 4-2 shootout win over Greece after a tense playoff final ended 0-0 following extra time on Tuesday (Mar 26) as they made history by reaching their first major tournament. Substitute Nika Kvekveskiri converted his spot kick after Greece's Giorgos Giakoumakis put his penalty wide to send the home crowd wild as their side edged through to the finals. Georgia will be in Group F alongside Portugal, Turkey and Czech Republic at the Euros in Germany which begin on Jun 14.
Georgia created history by reaching their first major tournament with a penalty shootout win over Greece in their Euro 2024 play-off.
Home substitute Nika Kvekveskiri scored the winning penalty, squeezing his effort past the outstretched arm of Greece keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The 4-2 shootout success, which came after a tight and tense goalless draw, sparked joyous scenes in Tbilisi.
Georgian supporters ran on to the pitch to congratulate their players, having seen the national side – which played its first match in 1990 when still part of the Soviet Union – qualify for a major tournament at the 15th attempt.
Fans climbed on the crossbar of one of the goals and kneeled on the pitch in celebration.
Georgia will join Turkey, Portugal and the Czech Republic in Group F at this summer's finals.
A cagey match, which saw only one shot on target in normal time, eventually burst into life in the extra period.
Greece defender Konstantinos Mavropanos hit the home bar with a powerful header from a corner, but a sloppy pass from the West Ham player seconds later let Georgia in.
Georges Mikautadze raced through before being forced out wide, but his cutback found Zuriko Davitashvili, whose low shot was well saved by visiting keeper Vlachodimos.
Penalties were needed to separate the teams and Lech Poznan midfielder Kvekveskiri, 31, converted the decisive one after Greece's Giorgos Giakoumakis put his spot-kick wide.
The Euro 2024 finals will begin on Jun 14 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The tournament concludes on Jul 14, with the final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
