Time for the postponed first round has come. According to the schedule of Professional League which was confirmed by executive committee of Georgian Football Federation, the first round was to be held on August 5-7. But having considered the interests of the national team (they gathered to play in Moldova on August 11) and Georgian clubs (by that time "Zestaponi" and "Dinamo" Tbilisi were playing in the 3rd qualifying round of Europa League) which are competing in European tournaments, the round was postponed till September.
15. 09, 16:00. Poti, "Pazisi".
"Kolkheti" (Poti) - "Samtredia"
Disqualified: Vladimir Jojua (Kolkheti).
Referees: Khvicha Gagnidze; Kakha Tepnadze, Onise Molodinashvili; Aleksandre Krichashvili.
In the last round, "Kolkheti" was beat by a 13-time Georgian champion (1:3). "Samtredia" defeated "Torpedo" Kutaisi 1:0. "Samtredia" is not in a good financial situation. According to Zaza Adeishvili, manager of the club, if the club did not find an owner till October, "Samtredia" would not continue participation in the championship.
"Kolkheti" which has the best defensive line, received only one goal from the last 4 matches. That talks about stability of the club. But players of Beso Sherozia found it hard to score goals. Last time the clubs met each other was in the match of First League 2008/2009. In that season, "Samtredia" moved to Supreme League and "Kolkheti" had to wait one year for promotion.
15. 09, 16:00. Zugdidi, "Gulia Tutberidze".
"Baia" (Zugdidi) - "Sioni" (Bolnisi)
Referees: Giorgi Dograshvili; Davit Kvetenadze; Irakli Machitidze; Irakli Urushadze.
In the last season, "Baia" and "Sioni" were among those clubs which were fighting to stay in League. But if we consider the start of "Baia" in the championship, players of Elguja Kometiani changed their goal. In Zugdidi people believed that their club would fight for Europa League.
It is known, that Otar Gabelia, head coach of the youth team, is an assistant of the host head coach. As for "Sioni", the club is full of experienced players. But time will show if experience is enough for unprepared players.
The clubs met each other in the last season. "Sioni" scored more goals than "Baia" (2:1) but both clubs won 1 from 4 matches and finished 2 draws.
15. 09, 17:00. Rustavi, "Poladi".
"Olimpi" (Rustavi) - "Wit Georgia" (Tbilisi)
Referees: Levan Kvaratskhelia; Zaal Berulava; Zviad Erkvania; Lasha Silagava.
In the main staff of the champion are such 5 players (Bediashvili, Japaridze, Kvakhadze, Razmadze, Beriashvili) who played for "Wit Georgia" in the championship which finished in May. Managers of "Veterinary" filled the club with double staff.
We have already written about relationship between these two clubs. Year before last, in the matches for Cup against "Olimpi", "Wit Georgia" thought that they wanted to win the championship. So, in a 2-round fight, "Wit Georgia" beat "Olimpi" in the final of the championship. Last year, "Wit Georgia" changed its plans and decided to win Cup and did it. The last official match between these two clubs was held in May this year. "Olimpi" which was already a champion lost 0:2. This match was memorable because club of Temur Makharadze was first beat after 21 won matches.
As for statistics of the last matches between opponents, "Wit Georgia" has advantage. "Wit Georgia" won 4 from 11 matches and "Olimpi" won only 3 matches (ball difference 10:10).
15. 09, 19:00. Tbilisi, "Boris Paichadze".
"Dinamo" (Tbilisi) - "Spartaki" (Tskhinvali)
Referees: Giorgi Vadachkoria, Kirile Beradze, Archil Kokaia; Davit Kharitonashvili.
Before April, "Spartaki" Tskhinvali has not won over "Dinamo" Tbilisi. Players of Gocha Chikovani beat "Dinamo" 2:1 on Gori "Kartli" stadium. "Spartaki" finished 3 draws from the last 10 matches (ball difference 24:6).
15.09, 19:00. Zestaponi, "Davit Abashidze".
"Zestaponi" - "Torpedo" (Kutaisi)
Referees: Malkhaz Beuklishvili; Levan Mikeladze, Zurab Jvaridze; Arsen Nonikashvili.
In spite of it is just the start of the championship, the result of the match is important for both clubs. Opponents lost in the last round and they should fight to win. 100% result is more important for "Torpedo" than for "Zestaponi".
After the lost in Samtredia, fans of "Torpedo" applied to the Sagoria Training Base with just pretensions. Everyone wanted to know why they coul not see result of tens of thousands of USD spent by "Vissol". Fans could not see even player's desire to do their best. Some players promised their fans that soon they would see another "Torpedo".
| 1 | Olimpi | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4-2 | 7 |
| 2 | Dinamo | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5-3 | 7 |
| 3 | Wit Georgia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6-5 | 7 |
| 4 | Baia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4-3 | 7 |
| 5 | Zestaponi | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7-4 | 6 |
| 6 | Kolkheti | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3-3 | 5 |
| 7 | Sioni | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1-3 | 5 |
| 8 | Samtredia | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5-7 | 4 |
| 9 | Spartaki | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5-8 | 4 |
| 10 | Torpedo | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1-3 | 2 |
Notes:
- According to Prof-league regulation, in case of equal points places will be found out considering the following things: 1.Number of wins; 2. Final results (number of goals and ball difference);3. Scored goals and received goals; 4.Number of scored goal; 5. Scored goals in exterior matches; 6.Fair play rules 7.Voting.
- After 4 rounds two outsider clubs fall down in first league in XXIII Championship. An the club which will win the 8th place will play against the third place-owner and in case of win will remain in the first league.
Top scorers
Vakhtang Kvaratskhelia (Wit Georgia, Torpedo) - 3, Giorgi Megreladze (Baia) - 3, Rati Tsinamdzgvrishvili (Zestaponi) - 3, Thierry Clovis (Spartaki) - 2, Teimuraz Shonia (Spartaki) - 2, Jaba Lipartia (Wit Georgia) - 2 (1-penalty).
Phridon Kervalishvili
