Last year when three from four Georgian clubs went through the third qualifying round of European tournaments, representatives of Georgian football talked about development and progress of infrastructure.
Of course, that success of Georgian clubs counts but now I want to ask that people – are we having progress? Has infrastructure developed? I think when only “Zestafoni” is allowed to hold home match at European tournaments does not mean development of infrastructure. Moreover, when matches are held on stadiums where reconstruction is underway and chairs must be installed because Danish fans are to arrive.
But I am not surprised. This people must speak because their employed relatives must not have problems. It is a pity when those people talk about development of infrastructure who has been abroad and has seen good infrastructure. Of course, nobody is against new grass surface but when you say: “I have done stadium”, it must be said what has been done.
Unfortunately, only “Dila” continues competing in European tournaments. Danish “Aarhus” was not an easy opponent. Reason of “Dila” success is experienced players. The team cannot do anything with young players. It is clear why teams choose young players in Georgia. The teams do not have or do not want to spend more money.
“Dila” made accent on experience and it does good for the team. It the team continues this way, it will be one of the main favorites at Georgian Championship. On Thursday’s match, 9 players who have players for Georgian national team were in lineup. Play of Mate Vatsadze is worth mentioning who proved once again that he has talent of top scorer and this forward is too good for Georgian Championship.
One bad fact happened. Two members of “Dila” delegation were detained for shoplifting. One did not want to return to homeland. Yesterday I saw with my eyes how one fan told one of the managers of “Dila”: “Take me instead of those robbers”. Such people get in “charters” who only want to go abroad. There were some facts when press attaché or photographer of club did not leave for European tournaments.
It is a pity because I have seen at European Championship how important press attaché is for any team. He is member of staff. Even Bert van Marwijk and Joachim Low talked to him like an assistant.
These people were sitting on substitute chair and were indivisible part of the national team.
Phrase “Azerbaijan is ahead” is not active anymore. It is reality. “Neftchi” did not look strong team which could not be defeated by “Zestafoni”. But “Zestafoni” is weaker now. “Neftchi” had more experienced players than “Zestafoni”. Finances are one of the decisive factors in modern football. One of the photographers of “Netchi” fan-clubs has salary of 800 USD.
Koba Zhorzhikashvili, head coach of “Metallurg” Rustavi, knew that Czech “Plzen” was a favorite. The Rustavi team did what it could do. “Metallurg” had the strongest opponent. The Czech fans had placard on the stadium: “We greet you Dimitri”. The Czechs greeted Dimitri Tatanashvili who played for “Plzen”. It is undoubtedly valuable behavior, especially when the Czech fans applauded Tatanashvili.
Lasha Tabagari
