Zviad Sichinava, president of Georgian Football Federation, general secretary Revaz Arveladze, coaches and football players of the Georgian U-19 teams met journalists in the press conference hall of “Mikheil Meskhi”.

Last week the Georgian U-19 team made through to the final stage of European Championship. The boys made miracle in elite round where England, Scotland and Belgium were their opponents.

Gia Tsetsadze (head coach of the team): - We are very happy. Georgian football has future. I want the journalists to mention the work of the coaching staff, doctors and masseurs. Temur Lortkipanidze, Zaza Bakuradze, Grigol Chanturia, Davit Datunashvili – this success would not have been without them. It is the victory of the Georgian football.

- Offensive style: the play of U-19 team was based on offence. How tough was it for the team?

- I think offence is the face of the Georgian football. Our play was balanced. When we did not have ball, we were all defenders. We made accent on taking the field of the opponent.

- What were your instructions in the match against Scotland?

- First Mtivlishvili was sent off. We substituted Kacharava. When Arabuli received red card, we tried to play equally. We did not think to stand in deaf defense. We scored two goals with 9 players.

- What will program-minimum and maximum be at the final stage?

- We can go through to semifinal. Our goals are the highest.

- Tell us about your preparation plans.

- The final stage starts on July 20. We will gather two weeks earlier, first in Georgia and then in foreign country. We have not chosen the place yet.

The question was asked if the team would receive premium points, like U-17 team coached by Vasil Maisuradze. Maisuradze also attended the press conference. He congratulated the coach and the football players on the victory.

Sichinava: - Last year our state gave rewards to U-17 team and hopefully the same will happen this year. These boys are already stars. When Gia Tsetsadze was appointed as a head coach, many asked me – why Tsetsadze. I asked them shortly – because! His contracted expired the day before yesterday and of course, we will sign another one.

…you know, what I was told in Belgium? Even if we form 30 embassies, we cannot do the same what these boys have done. It was heroism. If not Loria, goalkeeper Tebidze is already the best.

…they say we do not have children’s football and talented football players.

- Last year referee oppressed U-17 team in semifinal. Now, the match of U-17 team against Scotland… what mechanism do we have at the final stage?

Sichinava: - We were to go to FIFA congress in Africa but we changed our mind and arrived in Belgium after the match against Scotland. Now we are going to Lithuania and we will talk to delegates.

Tsetsadze: - The president of the federation does not talk about his merit and I will talk about it then. He had a blustery reaction after the match against Scotland. I thank them that they arrived in Belgium. Refereeing was at high level against Belgium. I hope refereeing will be good in Lithuania.

Sichinava: - I want the press and TV to arrive. Journalist has not arrived from the federation. Now we do not have money for going to the final stage.

Ilia Nanobashvili