The Georgian national handball team has secured a place in the European Championship for the second consecutive time, following a hard-fought 29:26 victory over Greece in Tbilisi during the fifth round of qualification.

Needing a win to overtake Greece and claim second place in the group, Georgia rose to the occasion despite facing early adversity. A key player, Teimuraz Orjonikidze, was injured early in the match and could not continue—an emotional and strategic blow to the team. Greece held a narrow 16:14 lead at halftime, but Georgia mounted a determined comeback in the second half.

Led by head coach Tite Kalandadze, the team showed precision and resilience in the closing minutes, securing the crucial win that guarantees their qualification. The victory follows a narrow loss to Greece in their first meeting (27:26), making the Tbilisi triumph even more significant.

The final qualifying match will take place in Iceland on May 11.

In recognition of the team’s achievement, the Georgian government has awarded the national squad a monetary prize of one million GEL (approximately $365,000), as confirmed by a decree signed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The Prime Minister, along with the President and Cabinet members, attended the decisive match at Tbilisi Arena and personally congratulated the players.