Today, on September 3, "SSAU Tbilisi" is leaving for Israel to participate in the first round of European Handball Federation (EHF) Cup. Georgian players will hold a match against "Hapoel" Shiron LeZion on September 5 and 6. Winner within 2 matches will go through the second round. Unfortunately, because of financial problem Georgian team will hold both matches in Israel and that is a big advantage for Jewish players.
In last season, in the first round of EHF "SSAU Tbilisi" held a match against Cypriot "Kouroushi Proodevtikos" and won matches in Paphos - 65:55. Then "SSAU Tbilisi" was defeated by "Benfica" Lisboa 46:63.
5 players were added to the Georgian team for this tournament. Irakli Ghaghanidze played for the team before. Then he played for one of the Greek clubs. Akaki Talakhadze who was playing in Iran returned to "SSAU Tbilisi". 3 young players - Jumber Khunjua, Lekso Tsitelashvili (captain of Georgian U-18 team) and Giga Kiknadze will help "SSAU Tbilisi" at European tournament.
Tite Kalandadze is the most experienced and strong player in the team. He has played in several European clubs. Especially, Macedonian "Vardar", Italian "Trieste" and Turkish "Aski Ankara" are worth mentioning. Before returning to his homeland Tite played in Icelandic "Stjarnan". Also Korneli Andriadze, Levan Gelashvili and Giorgi Tsivtsivadze are experienced players.
5 legionaries are in the staff of "Hapoel". Russian Denis Zakharov is worth mentioning among them. He has played in German Bundesliga ("Gummersbach") for 4 years. This club won EHF Cup in 2009 and Cup Winners' Cup in 2010. Zakharov is inside player and he is 2 m (height).
Except Zakharov, LeZion has other two Russian players Mikhail Khomarov and Maksim Tsiperman. Also Ukrainian Dmytro Doroshchuk and Lithuanian Gedvilas Alegridas are legionaries.
"SSAU Tbilisi" at European Cup
Otar Amiranashvili, Korneli Andriadze, Irakli Ghaghanidze, Levan Gelashvili, Aleksandre Gochanov, Giorgi Iobashvili, Tite Kalandadze, Nano Kardava, Akaki Kavelashvili, Giga Kiknadze, Aleksandre Lobjanidze, Ucha Maisuradze, Akaki Talakhadze, Irakli Tevzadze, Lekso Tsitelashvili, Giorgi Tsivtsivadze, Jumber Khunjua.
Head coach: Mamuka Mjavanadze.
Coach: Tite Kalandadze.
www. georgianhandball.ge
