Coming up - Samtredia, first in Eurocup after 21 years
News / 20 June 2016 | 17:07208
Gabala are drawn against Samtredia, who are of basic football clubs in Georgia within the 1st Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa League. It is going to be the 2nd experience of the red-black side against any team from the Neighbor country after losing away match to Dinamo 2:1 in the 1st Qualifying Round of the UEFA EL before winning the home game 2:0 last season.
Having been founded in 1936, Samtredia finished as Georgia”s Premier League runners-up going behind Dinamo. Starting as Lokomotiv 80 years ago, the club changed its name to Sanavardo, Cuba and Iberia.
The team from Samtredia took their debut in the 2nd Division of the USSR League. They won the their zonal championship both in 1980 and 1987. But the team were prevented to progress into the further level leagues by poor attendance at an interzonal contest.
They could stay also in the 9th zone for a long period where Azerbaijan clubs also appeared.
The club gained their progress after Georgia regained their independence in 1991.
They joined their first domestic Premier League campaign in 1990 and finished 4th in the 1993/94 season before taking the 2nd place the next year, when they hit the first tally to the UEFA EL. But Samtredia lost to Vardar (Makedonia).
The club ended again 4th in the 1995/1996 season thanks to Zaza Canashiya, Grigol Chanturiya, Zurab Ionanidze, Georgi Daraseliya, Mikhail Chishkariani and others.
Samtredia”s proud is Kakhaber Kaladze, who was produced by the club and transferred to Milan (Italy), as well as played for his national team. The legend player was involved to Dinamo Tbilisi in his 14 years old.
Samtredia left the domestic top-flight in 2001 and came back at times before striking the 2nd place last season.
Now the team, being coached by Georgi Tsetzadze, are amongst the league winners after the 21-year break.
The back-to-back games between Gabala and Samtredia, who"s home stadium is Erosi Manjgaladze with 15,000 seats, are fixed to June 30 and July 7.
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