On September 4, Georgian U-21 National Football Team is to hold qualifying match of European Championship 2011 against Turkish team in the city of Turkey, Sacaria. Gabelia’s team started preparation for this match on Monday. Jano Ananidze is called up in National Team, Mate Vatsadze and Nika Dzalamidze suffer from injury, Levan Mchedlidze did not attend the meeting, so U-21 has lack of 4 football players. Team had last meeting in Saguramo and today at dawn left for Istanbul, from Istanbul they will go to Sacaria by bus. Giorgi Ganugrava and Teimuraz Sharashenidze Georgian legionaries in “Dior” are to join team in Turkey. Giorgi Khidasheli is disqualified but in spite of it he is with team. The main staff of U-21 is the following:
Goakeepers: Roin Kvaskhadze (“Zestaponi”), Giorgi Bakhtadze (“Dior”, Hungary);

Defenders: Gulverd Tomashvili(“Dinamo”), Levan Kakubava (“Dinamo”), Nika Kvekveskiri (“Baia”), Giorgi Rekhviashvili (“Olimp”), Giorgi Guruli (“Torpedo”), Lasha Totadze (“Dior”), Giorgi Khidasheli (“Zesatponi”);
Midfielders: Giorgi Ivanishvili (“Schaffhausen” Switzerland), Tornike Okriashvili (“Shakhtar” Ukraine), Luka Gugechia (“Baia”), Murtaz Daushvili (“Zestaponi”), Giorgi Ganugrava, Temur Sharashenidze (Both of the “Dior”), Irakli Klimiashvili (Wit- Georgia), Teimuraz Shonia (“Spartak”);
Forwards: Revaz Barabadze (without club), Giorgi Chedia (“Olimp”), Rati Tsinamzghvrishvili (“Zestaponi”).Before leaving “World Sport” took an interview from Otar Gabelia head coach of U-21.
- Are you satisfied with players’ readiness?
- I know their possibilities. They sweat much during training. We have a little technical and tactic problems. During training we pay most attention to concentration and fast movement. In fact I can say that all players are in good condition.
- How will reflect on team lack of Ananidze, Vatsadze, Khidasheli, Dzalamadze?
- All of them are important for team and it is big lack for us. For me most important is National Team’s interests and if Temur Ketsbaia called up another like Ananidze, I would let anyone to play there without problem. Vatsadze was getting back his playing condition and was one of the best against Armenia, it is pity that he will not play against Turkey.
-Who will replace Ananidze, Vatasdze and Khidasheli in the main staff?
- I cannot say anything about it now, because I have to check Ganugrava and Sharashenidze’s condition. During training will pay attention to those players who are considered to change these football players, after it I will make decicion.
- How can you estimate Mchedlidze’s behavior, he did not consider himself in playing condition and that’s why did not come for the meeting, but he played in change in “Empol”?
- Before leaving for Italy I met him twice. In winter I wanted to take him against Turkey match, but he avoided because of club problems. I told to start playing soon, because wanted to call him up in team. As he said if I called him up he would come without problem. After first match in “Empol”, I called him up at once. It is pity that he could not come, because I knew that Vatsadze had trauma and considered Mchedlidze to change him. He should come and we would consider how his playing condition was. If he was in bad condition, no one let him play in “Empol”. We would let him play according to his possibilities.
- Naturally, we want to beat Turkey, will you estimate drew as a negative result?
- Drew will not be negative result, but our second place will be based on match between Turkey and Ireland. If Ireland beats Turkey, it will work for us. Main is that do our best for success. We need maximum concentration and everyone who will be on the pitch should show his maximum possibilities. We know all changes in Turkish team and will watch video of match against Switzerland.
- How can you estimate future opponent?

- Switzerland is on the first place and n spite of this to our mind the best team in group is Turkey. Their players are technical, physically strong and can play well. Besides this, they do football tricks well. In my opinion, they have problems in back line. When we played against them in Zestaponi, we paid more attention to defenders and used their shortcomings.
- Will you play with the same tactic against Turkey as you did in the last matches, are you planning any changes?
- Since the start of qualifying round we play with one main midfielder and one forward tactic, but minwhile have 3-4 midfielders, who are oriented to attack. Maybe somebody thinks that we play defensive football but it is not true. We will play with the same tactic against Turkey.

- You beat Turkey 4:0 in last match, it will strengthen their motivation, will not it?

-  If we were in such condition we also would have strong wish of revenge.

Lasha Tabagari