After sleepless night I arrived in Gdansk, could not rest a little- at once went to the stadium and immediately my tiring disappeared, when amber color stadium was seen. The Baltic Sea and its coast always was used to be considered as layer of amber and when it was decided to build a stadium it was said that the arena would be amber color and the name was given relevantly. It took an hour to see interior and exterior of the stadium and I was amazed – the stadium responds international requirements and there is brilliant condition for journalists to work. It is equipped very well and it is very modern for VIP guests too. Dressing rooms are also brilliant, when I left dressing rooms I was surprised because before going into the arena for playing there is chapel where is possible to pray. I think it is a role model for such religious country as Georgia is, if there is not considered such thing as discrimination (during European championship, for four matches a lot of players, referees, delegates and guests of several religious arrive and walks around this room), why it is considered as discrimination here, in Georgia?
I attend preparation works before the first match at the third stadium and all time I listen to “Endless Summer” by Oceana, before the opening ceremony it is repeated several times at rehearsals and that’s why I listen this song twenty times a day. Last year in Kiev during the ballot was held presentation of this amazing song, I liked it very much and used to listen to it very often, but supposedly there is some fixed code for person, when you overtake this code you do not like the song. He is fed up, but in spite of this he has to listen!.. I have such attitude towards this song as I had in my childhood towards the anthem of the Soviet Union.
Spain-Italy! It was dream match for every fans and I also was looking forward to this match. Now it is very common in Georgian media to copy some Spanish-Italian or English football phrases, when 100 years ago Giorgi Nikoladze called football “fexburti” and settled this word, a lot of people were laughing. But now this word is almost a magic word for fans and I also would like to suit Georgian words to modern football! People do not know what is play-off and play-out and use these phrases, I think that “jildaoba” is the most suitable word for “Classico”. That’s why I used this word in headline. At the end of the year I have to publish football lexicon so provide me football terminology in Georgia in comments and promise all of you I will follow everyone’s advice!!! Mister admin, will you laugh at me if we use a brilliant Georgian word “gamoxatva” instead of comment.
At the press-conference before the match Italians were the first, Cessare Prandelli took Gianluigi Buffon at the press-conference and half an hour passed as San Remo concert! How beautiful is Italian language, no matter what are you talking about, about football, about love or about endocrinology discoveries! Italians made surprise for the fans, instead of 15 minutes, they announced whole training opened! In a word, the whole stadium was full and the Pole were supporting them with a strong applause and shouting!
There were more people at Spanish press-conference, Del Bosque, Casillas, Silva and Xavi – attended the press-conference. According to the preliminary agenda their training was open for media for 15 minutes and it happened so..
It is newsworthy that from 29 matches Spain managed to gain only 8 points, only at Olympic Games in 1920 year they won 2:0. Maybe that’s why Del Bosque stated at the press-conference that the first match is fundamental, that they are very determined to win but their rival is the strongest.
Mamuka Kvaratskhelia media-officer of UEFA
Special for “World Sport” from Gdansk
