According to the decision of Professional Football League of Georgia and Georgian Football Federation, start of XXII National Championship was postponed for a week. There were no changes in the schedule of games. But the first round was postponed for September 15. The reason is known for everyone – “Dinamo” and “Zestaponi” which are competing in European League had no time to prepare for the first match of the championship. Nothing else has changed – from a new season all those teams will compete in Supreme League which had a right. There was a chance that “Samtredia” may not be allowed to compete in the championship because of not having an investor. But “Samtredia” “found” License A coach at the last moment and now this problem is solved.
14.08, 17:30. Tbilisi, “Mikheil Meskhi”. “Spartaki” (Tskhinvali) – “Samtredia”.
Referees: Lasha Silagava; Giorgi Kruashvili, Zurab Jvaridze; Jeneri Khorava. “Samtredia” has prepared better for the championship than “Spartaki”. Team of Gela Sanaia has trained for 8 weeks. Like the previous season, a 32-year old coach of “Samtredia” is the youngest coach at the national championship (last year he trained “Lokomotiv” Tbilisi).
According to Zaza Adeishvili, general director of FC “Samtredia”, the official presentation of the owner of the club will be held before the first home match. So, we will know another sponsor of Georgian football on August 20 (“Samtredia” hosts “Sioni”). Adeishvili stated that footballers of “Samtredia” arrived in Tbilisi to hold a match and stayed at hotel “444”.
“Samtredia” has advantages in the matches which were held between these two clubs. They won 2 matches (2:1, 2:1), one finished with draw (1:1) and lost one (0:2).
14.08, 17:30. Bolnisi, “Tamaz Stepania”. “Sioni” (Bolnisi) – “Kolkheti” (Poti).
Referees: Tornike Gvantseladze; Mamuka Elikashvili, Levan Mikeladze; Malkhaz Beuklishvili.
Footballers of “Kolkheti” need to go 400 km to get to the destination. Team of Besik Sherozia stayed at hotel “Mesazgvre” in Tbilisi on Friday and trained at 18:00.
Considering not so good preparation period of “Sioni”, club of Kipshidze-Kipiani will have to hold a difficult match.
14.08, 19:00. Kutaisi, “Central”. “Torpedo” (Kutaisi) – “Olymp” (Rustavi).
Referees: Davit Kharitonashvili; Guram Chigogidze, Zaza Menteshashvili; Giorgi Vadachkoria.
Kutaisi is looking forward to hosting the champion of the country. There are 11 400 plastic chairs in a renewed central stadium. Many people are expected to attend the match because of free attendance. It is known that management of Imereti club will sell the tickets in future for 2 GEL.
In spite of that Rustavi club was renewed for the qualifying stage of championship, it considers “Olymp” as a strong club. As for this match, we should not expect attacking football.
“Olymp” arrived in Kutaisi one day before the match and stayed at hotel “Alaverdi”. This match may be broadcasted by TV Company “Mze”. 24 hours before the match this issue was still being discussed.
15.08, 17:30. Rustavi, “Poladi”. “Vit Georgia” (Tbilisi) – “Baia” (Zugdidi)
Referees: ARsen Nonikashvili; Beso Chichinadze, Koba Gabriadze; Khvicha Gagnidze. Tbilisi “Vit Georgia”, one of the most stable clubs, has to host “Baia” in Rustavi. A new stadium of “Veterinaries” in Mtskheta will be ready for next year.
“Baia” has a great experience of playing at local and international championships. They are considered to play at European Championship but it is also obvious that last names “does not play” football.
In 4 matches between these two clubs “Vit Georgia” won 2 matches (2:1, 1:0) and finished two with draw (2:2, 1:1).
15.08, 20:30. Tbilisi, “Boris Paichadze”, “Dinamo” (Tbilisi) – “Zestaponi”.
Referees: Levan Kvaratskhelia; Zaza Pipia, Levan Todria; Giorgi Dograshvili. It is a pity that broad audience may not watch this important match of the championship. Professional League and Georgian Public Broadcasting are discussing the issue about broadcasting this match. People have a great interest of this match. Also there were talks about postponing time of the match which would make easier to find free time in TV Company schedule.
The competitors do not need to prepare special for this match. “Dinamo” and “Zestaponi” started preparing for new season earlier and were more successful than any other Georgian clubs at European tournaments (both of them left Europa League on August 5). People will watch a really interesting match.
“Zestaponi” arrived in Tbilisi on Friday evening and stayed at hotel “Batesta”. These two clubs have held 40 matches before. “Zestaponi” won one from 4 matches – 4:1. “Dinamo” won other 3 matches – 2:0, 1:0, 2:0.
Phridon Kervalishvili
