"Georgia on My Mind." Georgia 2 x Scotland 0

Tonight in Tbilisi, Scotland succumbed to pressure that perhaps in recent years has been missing from their resurgent program. A very average but organized Georgia side defeated them, 2 x 0, to further complicate qualification for Euro 2008.

A tie would have served the Scots very well tonight; however, they are now still on 23 points with the key game next month against Italy. Now, the Azzurri only need a tie to most likely qualify (Faroe Islands is their last opponent at home). For Scotland, a home win in their last qualification game will be necessary. Then they must wait for the results on 21 November.

Scotland had 16 shots on goal, but only 2 were deemed on target. Georgia had 6 shots, 4 were on target, and Levan McHedlidze in the 16th minute, and David Siradze in the 64th minute, were successful against keeper Craig Gordon.

Other games:

France 2 x Lithuania 0. Two goals by Thierry Henry, late in the game, elevated France to top of the Group B table.

Italy had a friendly against South Africa, with mostly an experimental team, and won on two late headers by Cristiano Lucarelli, 2 x 0.

Here is the situation in Group B:

• France: 25 points after 11 games. One game remaining at Ukraine on 21 November.
  
  
• Scotland: 24 points after 11 games. One game remaining against Italy in Glasgow on 17 November.
  

• Italy: 23 points after 10 games. Two games remaining against Scotland, and then the Faroe Islands at home.

Ray Charles: Georgia on My Mind

I don't know if Mr. Ray Charles appreciated the beautiful game, but his voice was one for the ages. For a blind man, he saw things that few of us could imagine.

To watch his signature performance of "Georgia on My Mind," please click here.