On 22 August “Dinamo” Tbilisi will host “Tottenham” London in Europa League play-off. Such high level club has not been arrived in Tbilisi for a long time and we expect a very interesting match. Fans know and “World Sport” has already written that these clubs played against each other at European tournament 40 years ago, in November-December 1973. Then the Brits won (1:1, 5:1). Legendary Murtaz Khurtsilava was captain of “Dinamo”. We visited him at the office of Georgian Football Federation.

- Mr. Murtaz, we lost to “Tottenham” then but those matches have always been discussed.

- When we were to play “Tottenham”, everybody had different feeling. “Dinamo” has never faced such club before. The club had very strong players like Peters and Chivers. We did not play badly in Tbilisi – 1:1. We have never played such high level club and we lack experience. Rezo Dzodzuashvili, Kakhi Asatiani, Givi Nodia and I have played at world European tournaments before. Others were very nervous. Finally, the game finished draw and we thought we could have acheived success in the second leg.

We lost 1:5 away. We could have played draw but we made many mistakes. Such opponent does not forgive you mistakes.

- What do you think about upcoming match against “Tottenham”?

- I and perhaps everybody want “Dinamo” to overcome this obstacle successfully but it is very hard. They must not be afraid and play their own game. Everybody knows that “Tottenham” have better players.

In the qualifying round of Champions League “Dinamo” defeated “Streymur” of Faroe Islands 9:2 but we cannot estimate real strength of our team by it. Then, we lost to “Steaua”.

- It is not known if Gareth Bale will play in Tbilisi. According to the latest information, his issue will be found out this week. How do you think will he effect on result?

- I do not think so (laughs). But of course, if he plays, it will be tougher for us to win. But perhaps, Villas-Boas will let someone play who must prove something. Later we may say – it would have been better if Bale had played (laughs). We do not know who will play.

- “Tottenham” demands 100 million EUR for Bale. How do you think is it normal to pay so much money for a football player?

- Yes, they pay much money. We had good players at the beginning of the 60s, for example, Misha Meskhi, Slava Metreveli, Zhora Sichinava, Sioma Barkaia.

- Were they better than Bale?

- Of course, they were. People talk about two players for the last years: Messi-Ronaldo, Ronaldo-Messi. There are some other good players but the player who can decide the fate of the game alone does not show up anymore, not only in Georgia but everywhere.

- I will add it happens not only in football but in music, movies.

- I agree with you. For example, Confederations Cup which ended up in Brazil. Brazilian Neymar became a star of the tournament but I do not think Neymar is high class.

- We have our own problems.

- That is true but we must not give up. The youth team achieved huge success and we must take care of them. I wish good luck to “Dinamo” in the upcoming match.

Solomon Gulisashvili