Georgian-Russian hostilities spill over to beach volleyball (*SPOILER*)

[babylonsister]

Georgian-Russian hostilities spill over to beach volleyball

By Tim Johnson | McClatchy Newspapers


BEIJING — In a bikini version of real-life conflict, the Georgian and Russian women's beach volleyball teams met in the sand Wednesday, and underdog Georgia squeaked out a victory in three sets — to the delight of the Chinese crowd.

But animosity boiled over after the match, when the Russian competitors refused to acknowledge that their side actually lost to Georgia.

Alexandra Shiryaeva, one of the two Russian players, sneered that both Georgian players are native-born Brazilians who only recently obtained Georgian passports so they could play in the Olympics.

"They don't even know who the Georgian president is, how can you call them Georgians? They are Brazilians and that is who we played against today," Shiryaeva said. Her partner on the sand patch, Natalia Uryadova, echoed her feelings: "We're not actually playing against the Georgian team."

Georgian Volleyball Federation President Levan Akhvlediani called the Russians "bad losers" and said the 21-10, 20-22, 12-15 victory for his nation's team was "wonderful for the Georgian people."

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/267/story/48005.html

[Swamp Rat]

1. Tadinhas Russas!

:eyes: