Georgia miss three key players in clash with Luxembourg

Only one EHF EURO 2018 Qualification Phase 1 match is held on Thursday, but it is a crucial one for home side Georgia. After taking their first victory in the competition since 2007 against Estonia in November, the hosts have the realistic hope to finish on top of the group with victory over Luxembourg.

The EHF live ticker is available for the match.

Group B: Georgia vs Luxembourg / Thursday 30 April, 18:00 hrs in Kutaisi

Georgia have severe injury problems going into the clash. Vladimir Rusia (Odorhei/ROU), Rati Mskhvildze and Sergo Datukashvili (Vojvodina/SRB), three key players in the victory against Estonia, are all out due to long-term injuries. And in total, coach Irakli Kekelidse is missing five left-handed players.

After a winless 2015 World Championship qualifying campaign with defeats to Slovenia, Ukraine and Switzerland, Luxembourg hope for a clear improvement in their first match. The last win in a competitive match was a 36:22 away to Cyprus for the team of Romanian-born coach Adrian Stot.