You all see how Georgian National Championship has started. It is not like England Premier League where "Chelsea" finishes all matches 6:0. Two rounds have been held here and everyone has already lost and won points. This season seems to be tense. It appears that there will be no obvious leader - we cannot say about any team that it is better than others. Though, if tension determined level of championship it will be good.
Now about matches of the 4th round. It is nominally 4th but 3rd in fact because first round matches are postponed until September 15.
29.08. 17:00. Zugdidi. "Central".
Baia (Zugdidi) - Dinamo (Tbilisi)
Referees: G. Dograshvili; K. Gabriadze; L. Todria; J. Khorava.
This match was to be held in Tbilisi but there is preparation process for Georgia - Israel match (September 7) on the national stadium. The clubs agreed that they would play in Samegrelo region. It is difficult to win in Zugdidi and we think this match will be interesting. Maybe 3 leading players - Mate Vatsadze, Nika Pirtskhalava and Ednilson will not be able to play in the team of Kakha Kacharava. They have injuries.
"Baia" defeated "Torpedo" 1:0 in the previous round. "Dinamo" was beat by champion "Olimpi" with the same score. In spite of that it is early to count points but according to the last season, teams should make less mistakes - "Olimpi" became champion at the expense of that because it did not have any advantage in the matches against leader group teams.
29. 08. 17:00. Rustavi. "Poladi".
Wit Georgia (Tbilisi) - Samtredia
Referees: Kh. Gagnidze; M. Elikashvili; Z. Pipia; L. Silagava.
Disqualified: Davit Lomaia (Wit Georgia).
"Wit Georgia" won and lost one match. Irakli Klimiashvili will not be able to help team of Merab Kochlashvili. He is in Belgium and is going to transfer to Belgian "Lokeren". "Wit Georgia" is young team and it will be difficult for them to fight for championship in this season. Players need to get on well with each other and this everything needs time.
"Samtredia" has only one point yet. Team of Gela Sanaia bought Lasha Kebadze and Mikheil Kakaladze. They are experienced players but the main issue is that if they are in good condition.
29. 08. 17:00. Gori. "Kartli"
Spartaki (Tskhinvali) - Sioni (Bolnisi)
Referees: M. Beuklishvili; G. Kruashvili; L. Mikeladze; Sh. Kukhilava.
"Spartaki" Tskhinvali is one of the weakest teams. Team of Gocha Kashia has several famous players but team had not so good preparation period. "Sioni" kept experienced players. "Bolnisi" has the oldest players. Last year when the team was under risk of leaving championship, they began winning the matches.
This match will be held on the Gori "Kartli" because International Rugby Tournament is taking place on the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.
29. 08. 18:00. Kutaisi. "Central".
Torpedo (Kutaisi) - Kolkheti (Poti)
Referees: A. Krichashvili; Z. Jvaridze; I. Ukleba; T. Gvantseladze.
"Torpedo" has a good staff. They bought Davit Digmelashvili who played good seasons in "Dinamo", especially in "Wit Georgia". "Torpedo" is expecting the first victory but we think it will not be easy. In last two rounds "Kolkheti" proved that they are not competing in Supreme League for fictitious participation: they are leading the schedule with 4 points without receiving goal.
There was time when matches between these teams were discussed with more interest. Let us hope that they will fight for high places in this season.
29. 08. 19:00. Zestaponi. "Davit Abashidze".
Zestaponi - Olimpi (Rustavi)
Referees: D. Kharitonashvili; G. Chigogidze; B. Chichinadze; A. Nonikashvili.
Of course, it is a main match of the round. Champion with changed staff visits Imereti region and will try to beat another favorite: After defeating "Dinamo", no one can say that team of Temur Makharadze will give championship easily. Last year "Zestaponi" won no home matches against "Olimpi" (both matches finished draw 2:2 and 1:1). Now they will try to win.
"Zestaponi" has been fighting for championship for several years and first it was considered as a main favorite. The club has good infrastructure and staff. Especially, if Rati Tsinamdzgvrishvili will play well in the next matches. Rati made double in the match agaist "Spartaki" at last weekend. No one argues that he is talented forward. Frequent and difficult injuries made him miss so much time that other player would give up playing.
Let us hope this match will not be like the third round match of last season when ball was kicked from the reserve seat of "Olimpi" (to prevent "Zestaponi" from attacking). You all remember what happened next. Players began quarreling and referee Giorgi Vadachkoria stopped the match. The match "finished" 1:1 but both teams were considered as losers (minus 3 points for "Olimpi").
"Olimpi" was different then - coach and name of the club is the same but the staff is completely changed.

 

Ilia Nanobashvili