The founder of Georgia’s ruling party, billionaire former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, said on Thursday he would donate 30 million lari (USD 10.7 million) to the national soccer team after they upset Portugal to qualify for the Euro 2024 last 16, writes Onmanorama.

“In a statement, his Georgian Dream party said Ivanishvili congratulated the team and pledged the money from his charitable foundation in recognition of what he called a “historic and dream victory”.

Ivanishvili, who is worth USD 4.9 billion, pledged a further 30 million lari if Georgia beat Spain in the last 16 on Sunday (Monday 12.30 am IST).

Born in Georgia, Ivanishvili made his fortune in Russia in the 1990s, before returning home and founding Georgian Dream in 2011. He won elections in 2012, and served as prime minister for one year, before handing over to a chosen successor. He is widely believed to exert influence over the ruling party, of which he is the honorary chairman”.