Temur Ketsbaia, head coach of Georgian national team, has already organized defensive line and he stated that he would try not to change it. Ucha Lobjanidze, player of Ukrainian "Dnipro", plays on the right wing. Lobjanidze has a great progress than he had in the previous qualifying round. It is not surprising - Lobjanidze played in Georgian Championship while Hector Raul Cuper was head coach of the team. Now he is playing for one of the strongest Ukrainian clubs and he is always in the main staff.
"World Sport" contacted Lobjanidze in Dnipropetrovsk:
- What can you say about the match against Latvia? How can you estimate it?
- It was a disappointing draw. Receiving a goal in last minutes is sorrowful but the worst things happen in football. The most important is that we believed in our strength. The previous match proved that we could beat European team away. We were winning and the match was ours but our mistake decided fortune of the match.
- However, this mistake did not seem blunder.
- Latvian player should not kicked the ball so easily. More attention was needed. We have to train a lot.
- What is the most important thing Ketsbaia changed in the team?
- Discipline. Ketsbaia demands much. He is working with each player and puts everybody in fighting spirits.
- Team should be built from defensive line - Ketsbaia chose this way. Does he pay special attention to defensive line during trainings?
- I cannot say that he pays special attention to it. He pays attention to team playing. Of course, defensive line is also very important.
- You said you had to train a lot. What do you mean?
- I am young player and I should improve my playing.
- We often heard from Georgian players that they lack self-confidence. Do you have it now and do you believe that you can play equal to Croatia?
- We are self-confident now and the match against Greece showed it. 20 minutes were left till the end of the match and we were winning. Greeks had advantage in the match. Somehow we did not have a chance and we were dreaming about draw. So, I think everything will be fine.
- Was Greece the strongest opponent?
- Yes, it was. But Croatia is also a strong team.
- Now about "Dnipro". You have a new head coach, Spanish Juande Ramos...
- Today I trained with Ramos for the first time. He is a good coach and I hope, we will have progress.
- Ramos is famous coach and please, characterize him.
- He is a very sociable person. He laughs and jokes. He tries to explain everything well.
- Is there a big competition for your position in "Dnipro"?
- There is a competition but I am glad that I am playing in the main staff. The most important is to train hard.
- It is known, that "Dnipro" finances are not much behind "Shakhtar" Donetsk and "Dinamo" Kiev. Why cannot you play like them?
- This question is often asked here but nobody can answer it. "Dnipro" is in a good financial situation. Maybe, one day we will play like them.
- Last question about Jaba Kankava. He held two friendly matches but how does he feel?
- He trained today. I am happy that Jaba can play now.



Ilia Nanobashvili