“Lokomotive” Tbilisi from First League of Georgian Championship is in Turkey. The club settled in Kundu. I met Tamaz Bokeria, manager of the club, who told me about the current condition of the team, Spanish coaches and football players, test-matches, aims…
Born in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 – “Lokomotive” has young players who are one of the most talented youngsters of the whole Georgian football. Most of U-17 team members of Vasil Maisuradze are in this team.
The team has only one exception. It is 30-year-old Spanish midfielder Endika Bordas who played for “Bilbao”. He has play as a central defender too.
Turkish meeting and test matches
“Lokomotive” held three matches and will hold the fourth one today. It will play against Serbian “Vojvodina”. On February 12 the team will return to Tbilisi. “Lokomotive” played against quite strong opponents.
The first match was against “Zenit” doubles. The first half finished 0:0. Dutch sports director of “Zenit” stated the light was bad and could not go on playing. They thought they would beat us but we had advantage in the match.
…then, we lost to “Lokomotive” Sofia 0:2. It was equal match but we did not have enough experience.
…the third match was against “Crvena Zvezda” and we lost 0:2. They played roughly and referee sent off its two players but other two replaced them.
…the boys play very well. Everybody has a chance to distinguish himself. Only Giorgi Shalikashvili is injured”, - Bokeria told me.
“Lokomotive” has 23 football players: Bacho Mikava, Bakur Sajaia, Beka Tkemaladze (goalkeepers); Nika Chanturia, Davit Mtivlishvili, Mate Tsintsadze, Amiran Gugushvili, Davit Dartsimelia, Endika Bordas, Erekle Sultanishvili, Luka Kikabidze, Lasha Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Gorozia, Davit Jikia, Giga Gureshidze, Davit Mikava, Luka Zarandia, Aleko Mzevashvili, Giorgi Shalikashvili, Giorgi Makasarashvili, Giorgi Gabadze, Revaz Chiteishvili, Jemal Kanchashvili.
Luka Zarandia is 16 years old. He transferred from the 35th football school to “Lokomotive”. Zarandia is one of the best among those who were born in 1996.
Coaches: Spanish hand
Gerard Zaragoza Mulet is the head coach of the team. He is only 30 years old but worked in Qatar for 8 years. Gerard searched talents in Africa.
“These talents are given citizenship of Qatar. Qatar wants to have the strongest team at World Championship 2022 because it will be host and wants to prove everyone that it represents football country. Gerard is from Catalonia. He was born in Barcelona and was coach of Catalonian U-19 team. He also worked for “Espanyol” U-23 team”, - Bokeria told me.
Dimitri Topuridze is an assistant of Gerard. Kote Gugunava is a coach of goalkeepers.
“Lokomotive” has Spanish fitness coach – Alberto Berokal Corea who worked for “Getafe”. Bernd Schuster was a head coach of “Getafe” at that time.
“To Russia and Ukraine – No!”
Tamaz Bokeria told me summer meeting is already planned. “Lokomotive” will practice in Austria from July 19 to August 3. “Fulham” London is one of the rivals.
Aim of “Lokomotive” is obvious – to bring up football players. “Lokomotive” sold Georgian football player: Levan Kenia – to “Schalke”. Lekso Topuria was a president of “Lokomotive” then too.
“Lekso Topuria does his best for development of the team. Most of the players play in Georgian age teams. They have offers from foreign. Topuria has one principle: we will discuss all offers but we will not send our boys to Russia and Ukraine”, - Bokeria told me.
Ilia Nanobashvili from Belek, specially for www.worldsport.ge
