Latest news with #Kvaratskhelia
OC Media
5 days ago
- Politics
- OC Media
Georgian court sentences another protester to 4.5 years in prison
Sign in or or Become a member to unlock the audio version of this article Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member Tbilisi City Court has sentenced 26-year-old Anri Kvaratskhelia to four years and six months in prison for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at a police officer. Kvaratskhelia, who was detained in early December, was sentenced on Thursday morning. Several Georgian media outlets noted that no police officer involved in his case appeared to have sustained any physical injuries. According to Kvaratskhelia's defence had challenged the allegations, pointing to a lack of evidence and a forensic report and stating that it was impossible to identify the person who had allegedly thrown the Molotov cocktail. Kvaratskhelia was arrested during a raid on his home on 5 December 2024, one week into the ongoing protests against the Georgian government's decision to suspend the country's EU membership bid. In an interview with RFE/RL, Kvaratskhelia's wife, Nutsa Eremniani, described the raid as traumatising, and that she had suffered a miscarriage shortly afterwards. went on to note that the Prosecutor's Office based the charges against Kvaratskehlia on two videos: the first showing him, with his face blurred, showing his middle fingers, presumably at the police, during a protest. The second shows a man igniting what appears to be a Molotov cocktail and throwing it near the riot police. Advertisement Kvaratskhelia's defence team has not contested that their client appeared in the first video, but argued that it was impossible to identify the man in the second. The outlet additionally reported that two riot police officers, Nika Chavleishvili and Simon Gambashidze, testified against Kvaratskhelia in court, saying the Molotov cocktail landed 'some three to four metres from them', but denying that they had been injured and noting that they were unable to identify the man who had thrown the petrol bomb at them. In his closing speech before his verdict was delivered, Kvaratskhelia dismissed the charges pressed against him, stressing that he was proud to have 'stood by [his] country'. 'Thank you very much for being so concerned and attending my hearings. It doesn't really matter to me what years you sentence me to, Mr Judge, because I am very proud to have stood by my country', he said, according to Publika. 'Once again, thank you very much for standing by my side. Take care of my mother, considering that she's an immigrant. When she arrives, give my warmest regards to her. Be well, we will see each other soon. We are one big family.'
New York Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How PSG and Bayern's positive tactics resulted in the best game of the Club World Cup
If the starting line-ups contain names such as Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman on one side, with Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the other, there is a high probability of entertainment. Yet how both teams approach the game factors in whether we see the individual flair or not. Advertisement Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich didn't disappoint the audience on Saturday, with their proactive and positive approaches resulting in a thrilling match where Luis Enrique's side came out victorious. PSG and Bayern played to the strengths of their forwards, focusing on isolating their wingers to get the best of their dribbling abilities. However, different methods were used to reach that target. Luis Enrique's team wanted to shift Bayern's block towards one side of the pitch, by overloading that area, before switching the play quickly to put Barcola or Kvaratskhelia in an isolated situation. In this example, Vitinha and Joao Neves are overloading the right side, which drags Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic towards the touchline, with Bayern's right-back, Konrad Laimer, moving inside to mark Fabian Ruiz. As Vitinha plays the ball to Fabian, Barcola attacks the space inside the pitch… … and combines with the Spain midfielder, with Laimer completely out of position. On the other side, Kvaratskhelia is free and calling for the pass… … which Fabian plays in the space vacated by Laimer. Meanwhile, Olise drops to cover for his right-back and intercepts the pass… … but Kvaratskhelia wins the ball back. Doue then picks up the loose ball, but his shot misses the target. Laimer's pressing role meant that if PSG could drag him out of position and switch the play in time, Kvaratskhelia would be in a one-versus-one situation against Dayot Upamecano. Here, PSG are shifting the ball from the left side to the right to move Bayern's block, and Laimer is moving towards Fabian as Kimmich and Pavlovic are keeping an eye on Vitinha and Neves. With Kimmich and Pavlovic in advanced positions, Achraf Hakimi plays the ball inside the pitch to find Barcola's run behind the midfield duo. Once PSG penetrate Bayern's block, Laimer's pressing role becomes a liability because as he is marking Fabian in the centre of the pitch, Kvaratskhelia (out of shot) is in acres of space down the wing. After Barcola receives Hakimi's pass, he dribbles inside… … and switches the play to put Kvaratskhelia in a one-versus-one situation. The Georgian dribbles past Upamecano with ease… … but he is denied by a brilliant save from Manuel Neuer. In another example, Vitinha, Neves and Fabian are near the left side of the pitch, and Willian Pacho immediately switches the play towards the right wing. Barcola's immaculate first touch creates an isolated situation against Bayern's left-back, Josip Stanisic, because it allows him to control the ball before Kimmich and Pavlovic can shift across. The right-winger then dribbles inside the pitch and drags Stanisic out of position, which allows PSG to combine and find Hakimi's third-man run. The Morocco full-back then plays a low-curling ball across goal… … but Kvaratskhelia only manages to hit the side-netting. After the first-half cooling break, Vincent Kompany altered his side's pressing scheme by leaving the role of marking Fabian to Bayern's centre-backs, or Olise when PSG were building the attack on the other side. By adjusting their pressing, Bayern stifled PSG's possession game and were able to have more time on the ball for the remaining hour. Bayern's isolation method revolved around putting their full-backs in the half-spaces to create a direct passing lane into their wingers and prevent PSG from doubling up against them. In this example, Laimer, who moved to left-back after Sacha Boey replaced Stanisic, plays the ball to Coman and attacks the space between Hakimi and Marquinhos. Laimer's movement occupies Hakimi and creates a one-versus-one scenario for Coman, who dribbles past Neves twice… … forcing PSG's right-back to change his focus and leave Laimer to Marquinhos. This sequence of events means that Harry Kane has a bigger space to attack inside the penalty area if Bayern can find him with a cross. This happens when Coman dribbles past Neves again… … and puts in a left-footed cross that the England striker heads over the bar. In another example, Boey dashes forward in the right half-space to prevent Fabian from doubling up against Olise. In the one-v-one, Olise wrong-foots Nuno Mendes and dribbles inside the pitch… … but his shot is saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Despite Bayern's control in the second half, PSG managed to take the lead through Doue in a transitional moment after Neves won the ball back in midfield. Later in the game, Ousmane Dembele scored on another transition to make it 2-0 and seal PSG's place in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup. PSG's goals reflected another part of the game that made it more exciting. Both teams were willing to press high up the pitch, counter-press when they lost possession and hit on the counter whenever there was an opportunity — all of this suited the match's most skilful players. Tactics doesn't shackle individual talent, rather they empower it to help it flourish.
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
PSG ease past Seattle Sounders
Achraf Hakimi (R) scored Paris Saint-Germain's second goal in their 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders at the Club World Cup on Monday. Photo: AFP Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi scored either side of half-time as European champions Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders on Monday to secure their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup. PSG needed to bounce back from their 1-0 loss at the hands of Botafogo in their last Group B outing and they were too strong for the MLS side without ever really playing to their full potential. Kvaratskhelia deflected a wayward Vitinha shot into the net to open the scoring on 35 minutes in front of 50,628 fans at Lumen Field, Sounders' home stadium. Hakimi then made it 2-0 just before the midway point in the second half to kill off any prospect of a comeback by the hosts. PSG are through and advance as group winners on goal difference, climbing up from second place because of Botafogo's late defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid at the same time in Pasadena. The French champions will now go through to a tie against the Group A runners-up in Atlanta on Sunday, as they leave the west coast for the first time since arriving in the United States. "It wasn't easy because the pitch was very different to what we are used to in Europe so we couldn't play with the fluidity that we like, but we adapted," said PSG coach Luis Enrique. He complained that the ball "bounced around like a rabbit" but also praised the opposition for their performance. "It was a great match, difficult for us, tough from the beginning because Seattle played a great match, with intensity and quality on and off the ball," said the Spaniard. Dembele again absent The Paris coach made four changes to his line-up following the defeat at the hands of Botafogo, with captain Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves all coming in. However, Ousmane Dembele, their top scorer during the European season just finished with 33 goals in all competitions, played no part for a third game running after travelling to the tournament with an injury. The Sounders needed a big win combined with a defeat for Atletico to progress to the last 16, something which was always going to be a big ask for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners. They didn't have the quality to overly trouble PSG, who saw Desire Doue threaten early on with a powerful shot that was tipped over by home goalkeeper Stefan Frei. A mistake by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at the other end gifted a chance to the home side, but it was not an easy one for Jesus Ferreira and he fired off-target. The UEFA Champions League winners got the opening goal 10 minutes before the interval when the ball came out to Vitinha on the edge of the area and his attempt took a rather lucky touch off the back of Kvaratskhelia to find the net. The second goal arrived on 66 minutes after Doue played a delightful pass out to the wing for Bradley Barcola and the substitute cut in from the left before setting up Hakimi to control and slot in his 10th goal since the season began.
Ammon
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Ammon
PSG ease past Seattle Sounders and into Club World Cup last 16
Ammon News - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi scored either side of half-time as European champions Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders on Monday to secure their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup. PSG needed to bounce back from their 1-0 loss at the hands of Botafogo in their last Group B outing and they were too strong for the MLS side without ever really playing to their full potential. Kvaratskhelia deflected a wayward Vitinha shot into the net to open the scoring on 35 minutes in front of 50,628 fans at Lumen Field, Sounders' home stadium. Hakimi then made it 2-0 just before the midway point in the second half to kill off any prospect of a comeback by the hosts. PSG are through to the next round and advance as group winners on goal difference, climbing up from second place because of Botafogo's late defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid at the same time in Pasadena. The French champions will now go through to a tie against the Group A runners-up in Atlanta on Sunday, as they leave the west coast for the first time since arriving in the United States. Paris coach Luis Enrique made four changes to his line-up following the defeat at the hands of Botafogo, with captain Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves all coming in. However Ousmane Dembele, their top scorer during the European season just finished with 33 goals in all competitions, played no part for a third game running after traveling to the tournament with an injury. The Sounders needed a big win combined with a defeat for Atletico to progress to the last 16, something which was always going to be a big ask for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners. They didn't have the quality to overly trouble PSG, who saw Desire Doue threaten early on with a powerful shot that was tipped over by home goalkeeper Stefan Frei. A mistake by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at the other end gifted a chance to the home side, but it was not an easy one for Jesus Ferreira and he fired off-target. The UEFA Champions League winners got the opening goal 10 minutes before the interval when the ball came out to Vitinha on the edge of the area and his attempt took a rather lucky touch off the back of Kvaratskhelia to find the net. The second goal arrived on 66 minutes after Doue played a delightful pass out to the wing for Bradley Barcola and the substitute cut in from the left before setting up Hakimi to control and slot in his 10th goal since the season began. AFP
The Independent
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Lionel Messi sets up PSG reunion with Inter Miami as Atletico Madrid bow out of Club World Cup
Paris Saint-Germain beat Seattle Sounders to advance to the last 16 of the Club World Cup but Atletico Madrid bowed out despite a late 1-0 win over Botafogo. The European champions went into their final Group B match at risk of elimination following a shock loss to the Brazilian side, but goals from Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi proved enough to top the group. Atletico, thumped 4-0 by in their opening match, needed to win by three clear goals to progress but a late winner from substitute Antoine Griezmann was not enough and it was Botafogo who reached the next stage. PSG's progression was not without a scare as Seattle started well at their own Lumen Stadium and could have grabbed a shock lead when Jesus Ferreira almost punished goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for a rare mistake. Kvaratskhelia was fortunate to deflect a Vitinha effort into the net in the 35th minute and Hakimi added a second in the 66th minute on the end of a sweeping attacking move moments after Obed Vargas had come close to equalising. Atletico struggled to assert themselves against Botafogo with keeper Jan Oblak forced into good saves to deny Jefferson Savarino and Igor Jesus. Griezmann found the net in the 87th minute when he swept home Julian Alvarez's low cross from the left but it was not enough and Botafogo will face Palmeiras at the next stage after the Brazilian side's 2-2 draw with Inter Miami. Miami came close to finishing top of Group B after goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez put the MLS side up 2-0. But their hopes were dashed in a matter of minutes as Paulinho and Mauricio struck in the 80th and 87th minutes. The draw meant Miami were forced to settle for second place in the group, with Lionel Messi 's side taking on the veteran's former team PSG in the next round. A hat-trick from striker Wessam Ali was not enough for Al Ahly as a 4-4 draw with FC Porto ensured both sides were knocked out. After Al Ahly took a 2-1 lead into the half-time break, a flurry of goals early in the second period paved the way for a thrilling finish at MetLife Stadium. Ali nabbed his third in between goals for William Gomes and Samu Aghehowa to bring the scores level at 3-3, until Mohamed Romdhane found the back of the net in the 64th minute to put Al Ahly on the verge of victory. Pepe's 89th-minute goal prevented the Egyptian side from securing the win needed to have a chance of qualifying. PA
