FORMER Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis blew a penalty-kick to cost Greece a place in the Euro 2024 Finals in the summer.
The powerhouse frontman fired past the post in the shoot-out as Georgia won 4-2 in the spot-kick decider after a goalless draw in Tbilisi.
The ex-Hoops frontman, who quit Parkhead for MLS club Atalanta in February last year, was out of luck in the play-off encounter against the nation who finished fourth in Scotland’s qualifying group. They earned a play-off berth through their performance in the Nations League.
CONCENTRATION…Giorgos Giakoumakis prepares to take the crucial penalty-kick.
HIT…Giakoumakis fires the spot-kick low to the keeper’s right.
MISS…Giakoumakis is dejected as he fails to hit the target and the Georgian keeper celebrates.
Giakoumakis, who came on as a second-half substitute, hit the crossbar with a header from a left-wing corner-kick before the tie went to penalties.
The ex-Celt had the opportunity to make it 3-3 following earlier misses from both sides – but he rolled the ball wide of the target to open the way for Nika Kvekveskiri to claim his country’s fourth and clinching goal to send Georgia through to a place in a major tournament for the first time.
Giakoumakis was a serial spot-kick sinner at the champions with misses against Livingston, home and away, and he also blasted high over the bar in the shoot-out with Everton in the Sydney Super Cup in Australia in November 2022. Ange Postecoglou’s side lost 4-2 after a scoreless stalemate against the Goodison club.
Georgia will take their place alongside Turkey, Portugal and Czech Republic in Group F in the German extravaganza.
The defeat is massive blow to Euro 2004 winners Greece, who had been favourites to win through.
Scotland will kick off the tournament against the hosts in Munich on Friday June 14 with an 8pm start.
