Traditional tournament named after Zaza Bendeliani started with the match between “Spartaki” Tskhinvali and “Merani” Martvili. “Spartaki” is the only Supreme League club at “Bendela Cup” which will compete with the main staff.
The format of the current championship is different from the previous one. Teams will play on standard size pitch and none of the matches will finish draw. If main time does not find out winner, teams will take penalty shoot-out. Winner of the shoot-out will gain 2 points. If team wins with a big score, it will gain 4 points instead of 3.

“Spartaki” and “Merani” could not manage to score goals and they took penalties. “Spartaki” won shoot-outs.

 “World Sport” found out that “Iveria” Khashuri will not participate in Group A with “Spartaki”, “Merani”, “Zestaponi” and TSU. International Football Academy named after Revaz Dzodzuashvili will compete instead of “Iveria”.

“Spartaki” (Tskhinvali) – “Merani” (Martvili) 0:0 (pen. 3:2)

January 21, Ureki

“Spartaki”: Grishikashvili, Diego Lobjanidze (Sepiashvili), Tetunashvili, Boiomo, Mgeladze (Kakashvili), Temur Shonia, Kilasonia (Buzaladze), Dekanoidze (Clovis), Valeri Bolkvadze (Narimanidze), Mikheil Barabadze, Metreveli.

Head coach: Badri Kvaratskhelia.

“Merani”: Joni Sherozia, Giga Jvania, Iobashvili (Patsatsia), Kakushadze (Meliava), Anzor Sukhiashvili, Joeli (Tsotsoria), Beruashvili (Turmanidze), Iluridze (Poniava), Lasha Chaladze (Toradze), Ambroladze (tape), Kuchukhidze.

Head coach: Malkhaz Jvania

Penalties were scored by: “Spartaki” – Metreveli, Tetunashvili, Shonia; “Merani” – Turmanidze, Sherozia.

Penalties were missed by: “Spartaki” – Buzaladze; “Merani” – Poniava, Kuchukhidze, Jvania.

Referee: Giorgi Kikacheishvili (Kutaisi).

Phridon Kervalishvili