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Georgia’s common bond will inspire them on their major tournament debut

Georgia’s common bond will inspire them on their major tournament debut

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In the last 12 months, Georgian football fans have had plenty to celebrate. From Khvicha Kvaratskhelia winning the Scudetto with Napoli to the country’s youngsters topping a group with Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands at the U21 Championships last year. 

By Ben Bocsák

Undoubtedly, the greatest joy was felt on the evening of 26 March earlier this year. On that night, Georgia secured the country’s first ever qualification to a major tournament as an independent nation by beating Greece on penalties in the play-off final to reach Euro 2024.

Fans stormed the pitch as Nika Kvekveskiri scored the winning penalty and traffic stood still on the streets of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. The country has been swept up in football fever, and they will be hoping to create even more indelible memories in Germany this summer.

Georgia’s story is not an overnight success. The country has always produced elite players and teams. Back in 1981, Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi won UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. But for decades, Georgians had been controlled by the Soviet Union. It was only until the country’s independence in 1991 that Georgia was finally able to rid itself of the shackles of Soviet oppression. 

During the early years of Georgia’s independence, the country produced the likes of Georgi Kinkladze, who became a cult hero at Manchester City, or Kakha Kaladze, who played for almost a decade at AC Milan and Shota Arveladze, who played for Ajax and Rangers during his career.

But while always possessing some individual flair the country’s production line had struggled to produce a high volume of top calibre players until all of that changed in the early 2010s when Andres Carassco arrived at Dinamo Tbilisi’s academy.

Carrasco spent over a decade working at Barcelona’s La Masia and he introduced innovative methods, a clear identity and playing style – all modelled on the Barcelona philosophy – to Dinamo Tbilisi. In the process, he helped pave the way for a new exciting generation. 

Under his leadership, some of Georgia’s brightest stars were brought to Dinamo Tbilisi and came through the club’s academy system. This includes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Giorgi Chakvetadze. 

In total, 16 players from Georgia’s 26-men squad for Euro 2026 graduated from Dinamo Tbilisi’s academy. An astonishing list which highlights the incredible influence Carrasco has had since arriving at the club. 

Georgia now have a strong squad full of players who are competing at the highest levels in European football. Away from Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mamardashvili is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in La Liga. Otar Kiteishvili won the Austrian Bundesliga and Cup with Sturm Graz – ending Red Bull Salzburg’s decade long run of successive league title victories. Giorgi Chakvetadze has been a key pillar for Watford this season and earned a permanent move to the English side earlier this year after catching the eye on loan. 

What unites all of them is that they had all come through Dinamo’s academy with just four years separating the youngest from the oldest of the group.

That means they have all known each other from a young age, and that has created a strong unity within the Georgian squad. 

“I believe it’s a big benefit for us.” Georgian scout Mikha Gabechava, who previously worked for Dinamo Tbilisi, explains to FotMob. 

“It creates great chemistry among the players. Not only the youngsters, but even the older players have been teammates at Dinamo Tbilisi. This allows us to have a team of 26 friends who share a common bond. The good thing is that everyone has a good relationship with each other, and you won’t see small groups of 4-5 players isolating themselves. It’s a group of 26 friends who are ready to help each other in hard times and give each other a boost on and off the pitch.” 

Not only does this create a great environment in the dressing room, but on the pitch as well. At Dinamo Tbilisi, the core of Georgia’s squad have been developed while playing a very distinct style of play focused on ball possession and strong defensive discipline.

This has created a Georgian side who are technically gifted and also very difficult to breakdown.

Off the ball, Georgia averaged the most interceptions (12 per 90) in Euro 2024 qualifying. They also averaged the most successful tackles in qualifying out of the teams who made it to the final tournament (10.9 per 90).

At Euro 2024, expect Georgia to sit back and use the counter attacking speed of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Metz’s Georges Mikautadze, who can hurt any opposition at their very best.

Georgia’s head-coach, Willy Sagnol, often hasn’t been popular in the country for his conservative methods but his tactics have been successful in getting Georgia to the tournament, and they could be the perfect recipe for success at Euro 2024 as well, according to Gabechava. 

“I believe this style of play has benefited us greatly. We’ve never been well-organised defensively, and playing with three centre-backs provides more security at the back. Since our forwards are explosive and fast over longer distances, we are capable of making quick transitions and starting fast counter-attacks. Against strong and dominant teams such as Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Türkiye, this should be the most appropriate system for us.”

With a strong identity, a team that has a close bond on and off the pitch and exciting players who are in great form, Georgia cannot be written off at Euro 2024. The country’s stars have every chance of causing an upset, something that’ll cement the last 12 months as arguably the greatest period in Georgia’s footballing history since independence.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Georgia’s common bond will inspire them on their major tournament debut

In the last 12 months, Georgian football fans have had plenty to celebrate. From Khvicha Kvaratskhelia winning the Scudetto with Napoli to the country’s youngsters topping a group with Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands at the U21 Championships last year. 

By Ben Bocsák

Undoubtedly, the greatest joy was felt on the evening of 26 March earlier this year. On that night, Georgia secured the country’s first ever qualification to a major tournament as an independent nation by beating Greece on penalties in the play-off final to reach Euro 2024.

Fans stormed the pitch as Nika Kvekveskiri scored the winning penalty and traffic stood still on the streets of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. The country has been swept up in football fever, and they will be hoping to create even more indelible memories in Germany this summer.

Georgia’s story is not an overnight success. The country has always produced elite players and teams. Back in 1981, Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi won UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. But for decades, Georgians had been controlled by the Soviet Union. It was only until the country’s independence in 1991 that Georgia was finally able to rid itself of the shackles of Soviet oppression. 

During the early years of Georgia’s independence, the country produced the likes of Georgi Kinkladze, who became a cult hero at Manchester City, or Kakha Kaladze, who played for almost a decade at AC Milan and Shota Arveladze, who played for Ajax and Rangers during his career.

But while always possessing some individual flair the country’s production line had struggled to produce a high volume of top calibre players until all of that changed in the early 2010s when Andres Carassco arrived at Dinamo Tbilisi’s academy.

Carrasco spent over a decade working at Barcelona’s La Masia and he introduced innovative methods, a clear identity and playing style – all modelled on the Barcelona philosophy – to Dinamo Tbilisi. In the process, he helped pave the way for a new exciting generation. 

Under his leadership, some of Georgia’s brightest stars were brought to Dinamo Tbilisi and came through the club’s academy system. This includes Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Giorgi Chakvetadze. 

In total, 16 players from Georgia’s 26-men squad for Euro 2026 graduated from Dinamo Tbilisi’s academy. An astonishing list which highlights the incredible influence Carrasco has had since arriving at the club. 

Georgia now have a strong squad full of players who are competing at the highest levels in European football. Away from Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mamardashvili is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in La Liga. Otar Kiteishvili won the Austrian Bundesliga and Cup with Sturm Graz – ending Red Bull Salzburg’s decade long run of successive league title victories. Giorgi Chakvetadze has been a key pillar for Watford this season and earned a permanent move to the English side earlier this year after catching the eye on loan. 

What unites all of them is that they had all come through Dinamo’s academy with just four years separating the youngest from the oldest of the group.

That means they have all known each other from a young age, and that has created a strong unity within the Georgian squad. 

“I believe it’s a big benefit for us.” Georgian scout Mikha Gabechava, who previously worked for Dinamo Tbilisi, explains to FotMob. 

“It creates great chemistry among the players. Not only the youngsters, but even the older players have been teammates at Dinamo Tbilisi. This allows us to have a team of 26 friends who share a common bond. The good thing is that everyone has a good relationship with each other, and you won’t see small groups of 4-5 players isolating themselves. It’s a group of 26 friends who are ready to help each other in hard times and give each other a boost on and off the pitch.” 

Not only does this create a great environment in the dressing room, but on the pitch as well. At Dinamo Tbilisi, the core of Georgia’s squad have been developed while playing a very distinct style of play focused on ball possession and strong defensive discipline.

This has created a Georgian side who are technically gifted and also very difficult to breakdown.

Off the ball, Georgia averaged the most interceptions (12 per 90) in Euro 2024 qualifying. They also averaged the most successful tackles in qualifying out of the teams who made it to the final tournament (10.9 per 90).

At Euro 2024, expect Georgia to sit back and use the counter attacking speed of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Metz’s Georges Mikautadze, who can hurt any opposition at their very best.

Georgia’s head-coach, Willy Sagnol, often hasn’t been popular in the country for his conservative methods but his tactics have been successful in getting Georgia to the tournament, and they could be the perfect recipe for success at Euro 2024 as well, according to Gabechava. 

“I believe this style of play has benefited us greatly. We’ve never been well-organised defensively, and playing with three centre-backs provides more security at the back. Since our forwards are explosive and fast over longer distances, we are capable of making quick transitions and starting fast counter-attacks. Against strong and dominant teams such as Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Türkiye, this should be the most appropriate system for us.”

With a strong identity, a team that has a close bond on and off the pitch and exciting players who are in great form, Georgia cannot be written off at Euro 2024. The country’s stars have every chance of causing an upset, something that’ll cement the last 12 months as arguably the greatest period in Georgia’s footballing history since independence.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.