Georgia's men of tomorrow

Homegrown talent is continuing to excite fans in Georgia with Dimitri Tatanashvili and Levan Kenia both making their debuts for the national team.

Superb debuts
Klaus Toppmöller called up 23-year-old FC Ameri Tbilisi striker Tatanashvili and 16-year-old FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi playmaker Kenia for the recent games against Ukraine and Azerbaijan and both acquitted themselves superbly. It was an important affirmation that, while most established Georgian players seek success abroad, there is still plenty of top talent in local football.

Tall striker
The tall and gifted Tatanashvili first started making his name at second division FC Spartaki Tbilisi three years ago, attracting interest from plenty of big local sides. However, when he moved it was to join Ameri in their first season in the top division. It was a brave decision which paid off in style as he helped the club to become established as a significant force in the league.

Great season
The 2006/07 season proved to be particulary successful, with Tatanashvili scoring 14 league goals and two more in Ameri's Georgian Cup final success against FC Zestaponi. "We have been watching Tatanashvili for a long time," said Toppmöller. "He is a very talented striker with a lot of potential. This is why we decided to involve him with a national team."

Dream come true
Toppmöller brought Tatanashvili on as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying draw against Ukraine, and four days later he scored his first international goal in a 1-1 friendly draw against Azerbaijan in Baku. "My dream has come true," he said. "I am part of the national team and I have scored. Now I hope to make my presence permanent."

Youngest debutant
Kenia is looking to do something similar having become the national team's youngest ever player after coming on against Ukraine. Straight away, he demonstrated his talent by taking on three visiting defenders and testing Ukraine goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy with a powerful shot. For those who have watched him at Lokomotivi, such great moments have become commonplace.

Tomorrow's man
"Kenia is a player of the future," said Toppmöller. "He was the best player in the Under-17 and U19 teams, and the same thing happened in the U21s. That is why we decided to give him a chance with the national team. He lived up to our expectations. I think that in the next qualifying competition he will be a leading figure in the team. He has all the necessary attributes."

Schalke reports
Western European clubs are already flocking to watch Kenia, with FC Schalke 04 said to have signed a pre-contract agreement with the player. He is expected to start in their U19 squad, but given his progress, a Bundesliga debut could be coming his way sooner, rather than later.