GEO - Zaza, Georgia thinking quarter-by-quarter

KLAIPEDA, Lithuania (EuroBasket 2011) - Georgia came into EuroBasket 2011 without any expectations of reaching the 2012 Olympics. They were just happy about making their debut on the European stage. But a victory in their first-ever match at the continental spectacle has the team - and nation - on a high.

In front of a Klaipeda Arena crowd heavily clad in red and white, the Georgia fans made their heroes feel at home and the players did the rest in blasting past Belgium 81-59.

"We are proud to be not only the ones who represent Georgia at EuroBasket for the first time ever, but the first ever Georgian team to play in European Championship final tournament," said Georgia's star Zaza Pachulia.

Among those in the stands was Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, who cheered with several hundreds Georgians and visited the locker room after the game to celebrate the first ever EuroBasket win with the players.

"He used to play basketball, and he always supports us," said Pachulia. "But it's not only about President. All our country is excited."

"I was not surprised with such a support from the stands. We are a small country. When we made it to EuroBasket, the talk about tickets and flights never stopped," added Pachulia.

While the team is on a high, they are not getting over their heads just yet and thinking about celebrating with their fans next summer at the O2 Arena in London.

"We know our strengths. But we don't want to stuck on them," said head coach Igor Kokoskov.

But the Serbian long-time NBA assistant coach said his team needs to remain grounded.

"Our approach is not even game-by-game, but quarter-by-quarter. We are ready to adjust accordingly to situation," said Kokoskov.

Pachulia also remains cautious about talk of making the next historical - i.e. Olympic - step. And he backs up his coach's "game-by-game, quarter-by-quarter" approach.

"I have pretty rich experience of playing basketball," Pachulia said. "And I know that it is never a right way to look too far forward. We need contributions from all 12 players and our coach just has to press the right buttons."

Kokoskov knows his team is not a favourite in any of the remaining games in the first round in Lithuania. But that is also not a bad thing.

"We want to be ready for every opponent. We are lucky to be a dark horse and we are ready to be the underdogs in every game we play. My guys are just enjoying playing basketball," concluded the coach.

FIBA