Soccer-Georgia to look back with joy when dust settles after defeat

Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Spain v Georgia - Cologne Stadium, Cologne, Germany - June 30, 2024 Georgia coach Willy Sagnol REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) - Georgia failed to pull off more giant-killing against Spain on Saturday but once the disappointment of defeat lifts, they will be overjoyed at how Euro 2024 went, coach Willy Sagnol said.

"We're a bit sad because we lost. But I'm sure in some days we will realise what we have done and I'm sure happiness is going to come back very quickly," said the Frenchman after Georgia's 4-1 defeat by Spain in the last 16.

The lowest-ranked team at the tournament, at their first major finals, defied all expectations to progress from their group after sparkling performances including a shock win over a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal.

"You have to take some time to sit and look at what you have done. I think we can sit in peace and quiet and everyone can be very happy at the last year, because the evolution of the team, the squad, has been absolutely fantastic," said Sagnol.

"I'm very proud of what the players have done in the last months. Now it's the end of a journey, but I'm sure the next one will also be very exciting."

Remarkably, Georgia went in front against Spain, ranked 66 places higher, when Robin Le Normand scored an own goal. However, Spain fought back and equalised before the break.

"To take the lead, it was our first offensive situation, but I think if at halftime we had still led 1-0, we would have had a bit more energy for the second half," he said, also lamenting an injury to talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

"But in the large spectrum, Spain deserved the win, there's no doubt about it."

When the dust settles, Georgia's next focus will be on getting back to another big tournament, the coach said.

"I think it will take some days to realise because I think it was such a fantastic team and group performance ... We worked so hard to get here, we will try our hardest to come back to another major tournament," he said.

"We are so happy and proud of what we have done in the last days, the last weeks ... Everything has been such a great experience. I think tomorrow morning everyone will want only one thing - to come back."

(Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Ken Ferris)