Mtskheta join Georgian élite
Thursday, June 12, 2003
Article summary
FC Mtskheta claimed a place in the Georgian top flight after beating FC Gorda 2000 Rustavi in a play-off.
Article body
Elite status
Lasha Kebadze's extra-time goal secured élite status for Mtskheta, who had missed a 95th-minute penalty through Georgi Kebadze and seen efforts from Levan Chachua and Lasha Chkhaidze disallowed by the referee in normal time.
Remarkable rise
The victory completed the remarkable rise of a club that was formed only two years ago in the ancient Georgian capital of Mtskheta. They have been guided to the top by their president, Vladimir Gutsaev, a former Soviet international, FC Dinamo Tbilisi player and Georgian national team coach.
Proud record
Defeat for Gorda, however, signalled a first demotion for one of the five teams to have graced the top flight every year since its creation in 1990. The others are Dinamo Tbilisi, FC Torpedo Kutaisi, FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti, and FC Dinamo Batumi.
Ups and downs
Mtskheta will join fellow new boys FC Lazika Zugdidi and Mertskhali Ozurgeti in the Premier League next season, while Gorda are relegated along with FC Milan Tsnori and FC Metalurgi Zestaponi.