In a pulsating showdown for the 2023 Tbilisi International Cup, the City Hall Cup witnessed Georgia going head-to-head with Montenegro, pulling off an electrifying 84:79 victory. It’s worth casting our minds back to the semis where Coach Zuros’ brigade showed their class, outplaying the Jordanians.

The Georgians hit the ground running, thanks to the combined force of Bitadze and Shengelia. Bitadze, like a brick wall, stymied Chicago Bulls sensation Vucevic, while the game’s opening salvo came from a brilliant defensive move by Bitadze, funnelling the ball to Shengelia, who with a deft no-look pass found Goga.

The Georgian sharpshooters were on point, sinking an impressive 4 out of 6 from downtown in the inaugural quarter. And just when you thought the quarter couldn’t end on a higher note, up steps Mamukelashvili with a deep trey off a slick Steph Beck assist, catapulting Georgia ahead by a solid 10.

Montenegro, not ones to back down, clawed their way back in Q2. Their resurgence had the unmistakable imprint of Mamukelashvili. Radović’s men then upped the ante both offensively and defensively, leveling the scores. But then, magic from Team Zuros – a Bitadze charge and a Shengelia masterclass, nudging them ahead. McFadden, however, was simply scorching, drilling three consecutive long-balls, allowing Montenegro to edge the quarter.

The third stanza saw Montenegro flexing their muscles, capitalizing on Georgia’s slip-ups. They surged ahead, even boasting a 7-point cushion at one stage. But just when all seemed lost for Georgia, McFadden delivered from beyond the arc, reducing the deficit to a mere two.

Q4 was nothing short of a nail-biter. Georgia nosed ahead early, courtesy of a dominating Bitadze who was a force in the paint. And then came the dagger – a Bitadze trey that ballooned Georgia’s advantage to 7, a gap too wide for Montenegro to bridge.
The final buzzer read: Georgia 84, Montenegro 79. What a game!