“We are facing a very important match. After a good play against France, everybody expects victory over Finland. We will do everything to use this chance and to take the third place in our group. Finland has a good team, strong players. We have been preparing for one week. We are in a good mood and we are sure the match will show it” – these are the words of Temur Ketsbaia which he stated at the press conference on technical center “Basa”.

The Georgian national team will practice at 18:00 today. The match will be held on “Dinamo Arena” at 21:00 on Tuesday. Referees from Cyprus will judge the match under the guidance of Leontios Trattou.

Now the press conference of Ketsbaia:

- Georgia does not lack motivation against strong teams and the team proved it against France. Is there a danger that the motivation will be lost to Finland?

- Generally, we play well in Tbilisi but it is a pity that we held most of 31 matches away. We deserved a point against France but Finland does not have a weak team. I am sure we will not lose motivation. It is good that I do not need to talk to boys about it. Finland took a point from Spain which proves its strength. The rest will be shown on the field.

- Will you make tactical changes?

- We must play on victory and we must attack often. However, it does not mean that we must forget the defense.

- Loria will play Finland. Will there be other changes?

- There will not be many changes but one day and half is left I cannot say anything for sure.

- Is any player injured?

- Nobody, everything feels good. There were some little injuries but everybody is practicing.

- Last year you played 1:1 in Finland. Finland was not expected to take 4 points against Belarus and a point in Spain. Do they have other progress?

- I cannot say that Finland was a weak team then. We played well in Finland and we must have won that match but the hosts played better.

- This year they have better result than last year.

- Yes, last year they lost to France 0:1 and in my opinion, they should not have lost that match. I do not remember a failed match of Finland. It is a well-organized team. If we had won in Finland, we would have guaranteed the third place in the group. Now we have a chance to improve our result.

- Is there any news about a friendly match which will be held in November?

- There are some talks and we want to play in Tbilisi. It is good not only for football but for the whole country. Football is No.1 sport in the world. It is in Top 5 in Georgia. Georgian football needs attention and help.

- Why foreign teams do not want to arrive in Georgia and to hold friendly matches? Draw against France will not increase interest?

- It is not only about the result. They do not know Georgia and prefer to play somewhere near. Nobody wants a 4-hour flight. The second reason is understandable but what I can say about the first one: it is bad that they do not know Georgia. There are a lot of interesting places in Tbilisi and climate is also perfect here…

- As a rule, one day before the match both teams practice on that stadium where the match will take place. Why do not you practice on “Dinamo Arena”?

- We prefer here. We have good conditions here. Besides that, we are used to “Dinamo Arena”.

Ilia Nanobashvili