Georgia

Schick saves Czechs in Euros draw against gutsy Georgia

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2024

Schick saves Czechs in Euros draw against gutsy Georgia

Hamburg: Patrik Schick chested home to earn the Czech Republic a 1-1 draw against debutants Georgia on Saturday in an entertaining match, but it leaves both teams in a tricky spot in Euro 2024 Group F.

They have a point each ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal facing Turkey later on, as the top two clash having already beaten the Czechs and Georgia respectively.

Georgia coach Willy Sagnol said his players’ disappointment at their opening defeat showed how far his team has come, and they gave everything in Hamburg to earn their first Euros point.

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made a string of superb saves to keep his team in the game and they took the lead just before the break through Georges Mikautadze’s penalty.

However Schick reprised his Euro 2020 goalscoring heroics with an improvised finish to leave honours even at the end of a pulsating clash.

Georgia’s key attacking duo Mikautadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both needed medical treatment in the warm-up but were able to start the match.

They pressed with fury from the off but it was Ivan Hasek’s Czech side who carved out the first clear chances and were more dangerous throughout.

Valencia goalkeeper Mamardashvili made fine early saves to deny Adam Hlozek and then Schick on a busy afternoon.

Georgia wanted a penalty when Zuriko Davitashvili fell under pressure from Ladislav Krejci, but their appeals were waved away.

After both sides were beaten in their opening matches, they were under pressure to take three points at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, leading to a thoroughly entertaining end-to-end game.

In their thrilling opening defeat by Turkey Georgia’s fans were outnumbered, but here they were in the majority and every time Napoli winger Kvaratskhelia got the ball in opposition territory they began to roar.

– End-to-end –

Czech right-back Vladimir Coufal was booked for clipping the Georgian as he attempted to counter.

Hlozek put the ball into the back of the Georgian net after 23 minutes but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for handball.

The striker’s first effort was saved by Mamardashvili, with the rebound hitting Hlozek in the face and then his arm before crossing the line.

Mikautadze also came in for some rough treatment, with the Czech goalscorer against Portugal, Lukas Provod, booked for clattering him.

In first half stoppage time Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanec saved brilliantly from Georgia captain Guram Kashia but VAR spotted a handball in the build-up by defender Robin Hranac and the referee awarded a penalty.

Mikautadze dispatched it confidently to give his side the lead at the interval, but not before Mamardashvili brilliantly saved low from Schick.

The Czechs were back level when Euro 2020 joint top scorer Schick chested home from close range after substitute Ondrej Lingr’s header from a corner bounced back off the post.

They almost took the lead in similar fashion when Krejci directed another header narrowly wide.

Schick’s strike took him ahead of Milan Baros as their top ever Euros scorer with six goals but the Bayer Leverkusen forward limped off with an apparent calf injury midway through the second half.

Georgia had a glorious chance right at the end of the match to win the game but at the end of a three-on-one break, substitute Saba Lobjanidze blazed over with just the goalkeeper to beat.

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Georgia

Comparing Mark Richt’s NFL Georgia stars since 2006 to Kirby Smart’s

Published

8 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Press Room

Comparing Mark Richt’s NFL Georgia stars since 2006 to Kirby Smart’s

ATHENS — Georgia football has been churning out elite NFL players for decades, and the past 10 years have been no different under the direction of Coach Kirby Smart.

The Bulldogs have produced 84 NFL Draft picks under Smart, including an eye-popping 21 first-round selections.

Georgia was churning out NFL Draft picks before Smart took over following the 2015 season, too, with College Football Hall of Fame coach Mark Richt recruiting and developing some of the best players in the nation.

Richt’s tenure (2001-2015) is understandably more heavily represented than Smart’s in a recent Pro Football Focus (PFF) feature on each NFL franchise’s best players over the past 20 years.

Richt-coached players from Georgia have had more time to make an impact in the NFL than Smart’s, many of whom are just beginning to reach elite levels in the pro ranks.

One thing for certain, Smart’s NFL players are curreently drawing bigger paychecks than those who played for Richt, with the exception of all-time NFL earner Matthew Stafford.

Here’s a look at former Georgia players that PFF has selected from among the best with the years they played with each team:, including two former UGA stars who are regarded as the best at their position for two different teams in the past 20 years:

(players recruited by Richt in boldface type)

QB Matthew Stafford (2009-2020), Detroit

QB Matthew Stafford (2021-2025), L.A. Rams

SLB Leonard Floyd (2016-2019), Chicago

SLB Leonard Floyd (2020-2022), LA. Rams

LT Andrew Thomas (2020-2025), N.Y. Giants

DL Jalen Carter (2023-2025), Philadelphia

C David Andrews (2015-2024), New England

WR A.J. Green (2011-2020), Cincinnati

DL Gino Atkins (2010-2020), Cincinnati

RB Nick Chubb (2018-2024), Cleveland

CB Champ Bailey (2006-2013), Denver

DL Richard Seymour (2009-2012), Las Vegas

DE Justin Houston (2011-2018), Kansas City

DE Charles Johnson (2007-2017), Carolina

LB Thomas Davis Sr. (2006-2016), Carolina

There’s no doubt that in time many of Smart’s players will ascend to such heights, as their experiences and contributions in the NFL grow.

Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers, just two years into NFL play, serves as perhaps the best example of a Georgia player recruited and coached by Smart who might soon be considered the best tight end in his franchise’s history.

Jordan Davis, a former first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, is another player who could become the best at his position with the franchise.

Buffalo’s James Cook led the NFL in rushing last season, and linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are now in Las Vegas and emerging.

Indeed, the majority of Smart’s NFL draft picks have come over the past six years, with 63 Bulldogs selected:

• 2021 -9 draft picks

First round: Eric Stokes (29th)

• 2022 -15 draft picks*

First Round: Travon Walker (1st); Jordan Davis (13th); Quay Walker (22nd); Devonte Wyatt (28th); Lewis Cine (32nd)

• 2023 – 10 draft picks

First Round: Jalen Carter (9th); Broderick Jones (14th); Nolan Smith (30th)

• 2024 – 8 draft picks

First Round: Brock Bowers (13th); Amarius Mims (18th)

• 2025 -13 draft picks

First Round: Mykel Williams (11th); Jalon Walker (15th); Malaki Starks (27th)

• 2026 – 8 draft picks

First Round: Monroe Freeling (19th)

*- NFL record number of picks from one collegiate team in a draft

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Georgia

FBI assigns 260 staffers to Georgia election investigation

Published

18 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Press Room

FBI assigns 260 staffers to Georgia election investigation

article

FBI Atlanta executes search warrants at Wellmade Industries in Bartow County on March 26, 2025 (Credit: FBI Atlanta, X)

ATLANTA – The FBI has asked field offices across the country to assign more than 200 employees to help with its investigation into the handling of the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.

The memo directs the agency to “surge” 260 investigative analysts and staff operations specialists to the effort, describing it as a “priority investigation.” It instructs each employee to review about 708 records by July 17.

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While the memo does not specify the investigation, people familiar with the matter confirmed to the AP that the additional personnel are being assigned to the ongoing investigation involving Georgia’s 2020 election. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal FBI operations.

Investigation continues

The backstory:

In January, FBI agents seized hundreds of boxes containing ballots and other election-related records from Fulton County, Georgia’s most populous county and home to most of the city of Atlanta.

A spokesperson for Fulton County declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Justice Department has previously said it is investigating “irregularities that occurred during the 2020 presidential election” in Fulton County.

What they’re saying:

President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed fraud affected the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Courts and election officials found no evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed the results.

Georgia’s presidential ballots were counted three times, including a full hand recount, with each count confirming Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the state.

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Georgia

Middle Georgia looks to see a scorcher for the Fourth of July

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2026

Press Room

Middle Georgia looks to see a scorcher for the Fourth of July

As we approach the nation’s 250th birthday, the weather looks to cooperate for the most part. However, there is one thing that will be certain, it will be hot.

For most of the day, skies look to be partly cloudy with a small chance to see some pop-up showers or storms. If they are to appear, they will likely be short lived. The chance for rain will also dwindle as the sun goes down.

The big story will be the heat.

Butts, Jasper, Putnam, and Hancock counties are under a Heat Advisory until July 4th at 8 PM.

This means that heat index values could reach 105 degrees or above.

Even if you’re not included in a Heat Advisory, it will be hot.

FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURE FORECAST 10 AM

The heat index values, or the feels like temperatures, around 10 AM are forecasted to already be in the low 90’s.

FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURE FORECAST 4 PM

By the time we make it to the peak heating of the day, the feels like temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 100’s.

FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURE FORECAST 9 PM

When it’s time to shoot off fireworks, it’s forecasted to still feel like the low 90’s to the upper 80’s.

HEAT RISK FOR MIDDLE GEORGIA

Most of Middle Georgia is under a major risk for heat risks on Saturday. This means that you should take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of water. Also make sure to listen to your body.