“Dinamo” Batumi is back to European tournaments after a long break. The second-place team of the Georgian Championship faced “Omonia” of Cyprus in the first qualifying round of Europa League.
“Dinamo” hosted “Omonia” in Zestafoni. Kostas Kaiafas, head coach of “Omonia”, was disqualified and watched the match from a private box.
The hosts started the match actively. At the 5th minute, Beriashvili had an effort on goal. The guests made a counter-offence but Schembri missed the target.
The hosts had a territorial advantage but only Shonia’s long shots is worth mentioning during the next 20 minutes.
At the 40th minute Gabedava took a free kick and scored a goal – 1:0.
At the end of the first half the hosts had a chance to score another goal when Gabedava took a free kick but Giorgallides made a save.
The second half started with territorial advantage of the guests. Margaca replaced Mendy and Kirm substituted Fofana. Despite the territorial advantage, “Omonia” could do nothing special near the net of “Dinamo”. The hosts defended themselves well and won the match.
“Dinamo” will hold the next match in Cyprus and hopefully, the team will use its chance.
Michael Sergiou (“Omonia”): “We expected a tough match. We had some good chances but could not use them. Now we have a week to work on improving our mistakes”.
Shota Cheishvili (“Dinamo”): “First of all, I want to thank our hosts, representatives of the Zestafoni stadium. It was a tough match. The boys did everything. “Omonia” is a favorite in the second leg. We know it is tough to play in Cyprus”.
“Dinamo” (Batumi) – “Omonia” (Nicosia) 1:0 (1:0)
July 2. Zestafoni. “Davit Abashidze”. 4000 spectators
“Dinamo”: Alavidze, Tetunashvili, Makharadze, Sukhiashvili, Gogitidze, Shonia, Kavtaradze (Chirikashvili, 83), Poniava, Gabedava (Varshanidze, 86), Beriashvili, Tatanashvili (Tevdoradze, 75).
Head coach: Shota Cheishvili
“Omonia”: Giorgallides, Lobzhanidze, Cristovao, Assis, Economides, Fofana (Kirm, 58), Pote, Mendy (Margaca, 46), Schembri (Vincent, 70), Runje, Goulon
Head coach: Kostas Kaiafas
Goal: 1:0 Gabedava (40).
Yellow cards: Poniava (11), Lobzhanidze (13), Gabedava (14), Makharadze (33), Shonia (54), Margaca (77).
Referee: Mitja Zganec (Slovenia)
Zaza Letodiani from Zestafoni
