Georgia national under-21 football team
The Georgia national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Georgia and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation. It is considered to be the feeder team for the senior Georgian national football team. The team competes in the European Under-21 Championship, held every two years.
| Nickname(s) | ჯვაროსნები Jvarosnebi (Crusaders) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Georgian Football Federation | ||
| Confederation | UEFA | ||
| Head coach | Ramaz Svanadze | ||
| Captain | Saba Khvadagiani | ||
| Most caps | Nika Kvekveskiri (20 games) | ||
| Top scorer | Beka Gotsiridze (9 goals) | ||
| FIFA code | GEO | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
| Georgia 3–0 Moldova (Tbilisi, 27 May 1994) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
| Georgia 7–1 Malaysia (Vienna, 26 March 2013) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
| Ukraine 6–0 Georgia (Chervonohrad, 12 October 2004) | |||
| UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2023) | ||
| Best result | Quarter-finals (2023) | ||
| Website | nakrebi.ge | ||
The current team is for Georgian players aged under 21 at the start of the calendar year in which a two-year European Under-21 Football Championship campaign begins, so some players can remain with the squad until the age of 23. As long as they are eligible, players can play for Georgia at any level, making it possible to play for the U21s, senior side, and again for the U21s. This has been the case for several senior team players like Jano Ananidze and Levan Kakubava.
Although the breakup of the Soviet Union occurred officially on 25 December 1991, the under-21 team continued as Soviet Union until the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. After that, Georgia and the other countries who split from the Soviet Union like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine became separate footballing entities.
Georgia held its first official game in a 1996 UEFA European U21 Championship qualification campaign against Moldova and achieved the best result in the next round by coming second in their group. Since the establishment of the Georgian under-21 side, it never reached a final tournament of the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, until the 2023 edition for which they automatically qualified as a co-host nation.
Despite the lowest rating points among the 2023 Championship teams, Georgia produced a main surprise on the tournament. They finished the group on top of the table and remained unbeaten after 120 minutes of a quarter-final clash with Israel as well, before eventually losing on penalties.[1]
Georgia U21s do not have a permanent home ground and play in stadiums of Erovnuli Liga clubs across the country. The record attendance for their match was set on 1 July 2023 when Georgia played Israel in quarter-final of the European Championship in front of 44,338 spectators.[2]
Competitive record
UEFA European U-21 Championship
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1/4 f. | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
Note:
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Qualification
| Year | Group | Place | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Group 7 | 5th | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| 1998 | Group 2 | 2nd | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 10 |
| 2000 | Group 2 | 3rd | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 13 |
| 2002 | Group 8 | 5th | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 17 |
| 2004 | Group 10 | 5th | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 16 |
| 2006 | Group 2 | 5th | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 22 |
| 2007 | Group 3 | 3rd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2009 | Group 4 | 5th | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 22 |
| 2011 | Group 2 | 3rd | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 9 |
| 2013 | Group 5 | 3rd | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 18 |
| 2015 | Group 3 | 4th | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 15 |
| 2017 | Group 6 | 4th | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 17 |
| 2019 | Group 3 | 3rd | 8 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 19 |
| 2021 | Group 2 | 3rd | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 14 |
| 2023 | Qualified as hosts | |||||||
| 2025 | Group C | |||||||
Results and fixtures
Win Draw Loss
2023
| 15 June 2023 Friendly | Georgia | 2–0 | Cyprus | Tbilisi, Georgia |
|
Stadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium |
| 21 June 2023 UEFA Euro U21 | Georgia | 2–0 | Portugal | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| 20:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Stadium Attendance: 24,447 Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway) |
| 24 June 2023 UEFA Euro U21 | Georgia | 2–2 | Belgium | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| 20:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Stadium Attendance: 41,886 Referee: Duje Strukan (Croatia) |
| 27 June 2023 UEFA Euro U21 | Netherlands | 1–1 | Georgia | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| 20:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Boris Paichadze Stadium Attendance: 43,004 Referee: Rade Obrenović (Slovenia) |
| 1 July 2023 UEFA Euro U21 Quarterfinal | Georgia | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | Israel | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| 20:00 | Report | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Stadium Attendance: 44,338 Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway) | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 6 September 2023 UEFA Euro QR | Georgia | 2–0 | Gibraltar | Kutaisi, Georgia |
| 20:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Ramaz Shengelia Stadium Referee: Daniyar Sakhi (Kazakhstan) |
| 12 September 2023 UEFA Euro QR | Moldova | 0–1 | Georgia | Chisinau, Moldova |
| 20:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stadionul Zimbru Referee: Antti Munukka (Finland) |
| 12 October 2023 UEFA Euro QR | Georgia | 0–3 | Netherlands | Batumi, Georgia |
| 18:00 GET | Report | Stadium: Batumi Stadium Referee: Alessandro Dudic (Switzerland) |
| 17 October 2023 UEFA Euro QR | Georgia | 0–0 | Sweden | Batumi, Georgia |
| 19:00 GET | Report | Stadium: Batumi Stadium Referee: Michael Fabbri (Italy) |
| 16 November 2023 UEFA Euro QR | North Macedonia | 0–1 | Georgia | Skopje, North Macedonia |
| 16:00 GET | Report |
|
Stadium: FFM Training Centre Referee: Rauf Jabarov (Azerbaijan) |
2024
| 22 March 2024 Friendly | Turkey | 2–1 | Georgia | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 21:30 GET |
|
Report | Abuashvili 58' | Stadium: Pendik Stadyumu |
| 26 March 2024 UEFA Euro QR | Gibraltar | 0–2 | Georgia | Gibraltar |
| 17:00 GEO | Report | Stadium: Victoria Stadium Referee: J.Sundberg (Denmark) |
| 6 June 2024 Friendly | Georgia | 0–0 | Kazakhstan | Tbilisi |
| 19:00 GEO | Report | Stadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium |
2025 European Championship
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | +19 | 21 | Final tournament | — | 9 Sep '24 | 14 Oct '24 | 3–0 | 5 Sep '24 | 1–0 | |
| 2 | Georgia | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 13 | Play-offs | 0–3 | — | 0–0 | 5 Sep '24 | 15 Oct '24 | 2–0 | |
| 3 | Sweden | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 10 | 2–4 | 10 Oct '24 | — | 4–0 | 0–1 | 6 Sep '24 | ||
| 4 | Moldova (Y) | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 15 | −9 | 6[lower-alpha 1] | 0–3 | 0–1 | 10 Sep '24 | — | 2–1 | 1–2 | ||
| 5 | North Macedonia (Y) | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 6[lower-alpha 1] | 0–2 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 11 Oct '24 | — | 1–0 | ||
| 6 | Gibraltar (E) | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 20 | −17 | 3 | 0–5 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 9 Sep '24 | — |
(E) Eliminated; (Y) Cannot qualify directly, but may still qualify through play-offs
Notes:
- Ranked on head-to-head points: Moldova 3, North Macedonia 0.
Current team
Coaching staff
As of June 2023[3]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Ramaz Svanadze |
| Assistant coach | Giorgi Adamia Zaur Svanadze Aleksandre Amisulashvili |
| Goalkeeper coach | Temur Charkviani |
| Fitness coach | Bondo Gotsiridze |
| Video analyst | Jumber Burjanadze |
Players
The following players born in or after 2002 were called up for a friendly game against Kazakhstan in June 2024.[4]
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been called up to the senior team.
Caps and goals correct as of 6 June 2024, after the friendly match against Kazakhstan.[5]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | GK | Luka Kharatishvili | 13 January 2003 | 7 | 0 | Dinamo Batumi |
| 12 | GK | Levan Tandilashvili | 27 February 2003 | 1 | 0 | Telavi |
| 4 | DF | Saba Khvadagiani | 30 January 2003 | 20 | 2 | Maccabi Netanya |
| 3 | DF | Saba Goglichidze | 25 June 2004 | 7 | 0 | Empoli |
| 18 | DF | Giorgi Maisuradze | 31 January 2002 | 9 | 0 | Dinamo Tbilisi |
| 13 | DF | Saba Mamatsashvili | 23 August 2003 | 7 | 1 | Iberia 1999 |
| 2 | DF | Zurab Rukhadze | 30 July 2003 | 4 | 0 | Dila |
| DF | Lasha Kvaratskhelia | 27 February 2002 | 1 | 0 | Samtredia | |
| 5 | DF | Nikoloz Ugrekhelidze | 15 August 2003 | 2 | 0 | Dinamo Tbilisi |
| DF | Luka Latsabidze | 18 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | Shakhtar | |
| 10 | MF | Luka Gagnidze | 28 February 2003 | 14 | 0 | Dynamo Moscow |
| 14 | MF | Levan Osikmashvili | 20 April 2002 | 7 | 0 | Dinamo Tbilisi |
| 7 | MF | Lasha Odisharia | 23 October 2002 | 8 | 1 | RFS Riga |
| 19 | MF | Tornike Morchiladze | 10 January 2002 | 5 | 0 | Telavi |
| 17 | MF | Shalva Ogbaidze | 8 January 2002 | 6 | 0 | Den Bosch |
| MF | Nodar Lominadze | 4 April 2002 | 11 | 0 | Dinamo Tbilisi | |
| 20 | MF | Giorgi Abuashvili | 8 February 2003 | 7 | 1 | Kolkheti 1913 |
| MF | Giorgi Kharebava | 26 February 2004 | 1 | 0 | Kolkheti 1913 | |
| 9 | FW | Giorgi Kvernadze | 7 February 2003 | 12 | 1 | Frosinone |
| 22 | FW | Vasilios Gordeziani | 29 January 2002 | 5 | 1 | Dinamo Tbilisi |
| FW | Jaduli Iobashvili | 1 January 2004 | 4 | 1 | Dinamo Tbilisi | |
| FW | Vakhtang Salia | 30 July 2007 | 1 | 0 | Dinamo Tbilisi | |
Recent call-up
The following players have been called up within the last twelve months and are still eligible for selection.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Mikheil Makatsaria | 11 June 2004 | 1 | 0 | Dinamo Tbilisi | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| DF | Saba Sazonov | 1 February 2002 | 8 | 1 | Torino | v. North Macedonia, 16 November 2023 |
| DF | Luka Salukvadze | 28 January 2003 | 2 | 0 | Dinamo Tbilisi | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| DF | Irakli Azarovi | 21 February 2002 | 7 | 0 | Shakhtar Donetsk | v. Israel, 1 July 2023 |
| DF | Davit Zurabiani | 22 February 2002 | 2 | 0 | Kolkheti 1913 | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Otar Mamageishvili | 15 January 2003 | 12 | 1 | Iberia 1999 | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Gizo Mamageishvili | 15 January 2003 | 4 | 0 | Iberia 1999 | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Gabriel Sigua | 30 June 2005 | 5 | 0 | Basel | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Nikoloz Sikharulashvili | 7 October 2003 | 2 | 0 | Dinamo Tbilisi | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Irakli Egoian | 19 March 2004 | 4 | 0 | Twente | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Nikoloz Tskhovrebashvili | 7 January 2004 | 3 | 0 | Liepaja | v. Gibraltar, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Gegi Geguchadze | 30 December 2003 | 1 | 0 | Locomotive Tbilisi | v. Netherlands, 17 October 2023 |
| DF | Mukhran Bagrationi | 13 February 2004 | 0 | 0 | Dinamo Batumi | v. Netherlands, 17 October 2023 |
| MF | Demetre Gvasalia | 28 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | Kolkheti 1913 | v. North Macedonia, 16 November 2023 |
Statistics
Last update: 6 June 2024[6]
Note: Includes friendly matches
| Opponent | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| Armenia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Azerbaijan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Belarus | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Belgium | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Bulgaria | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Croatia | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Cyprus | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Denmark | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 15 |
| England | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| Estonia | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 |
| Faroe Islands | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Finland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| France | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| Germany | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Gibraltar | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Greece | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| Hungary | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Iceland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
| Republic of Ireland | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Israel | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Italy | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| Kazakhstan | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Latvia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
| Liechtenstein | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Lithuania | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Luxembourg | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1* | 3 | 3 |
| Malta | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 |
| Moldova | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 4 |
| Montenegro | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Netherlands | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| North Macedonia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Norway | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Poland | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 17 |
| Portugal | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Romania | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Russia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| San Marino | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Scotland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Serbia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Slovakia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Slovenia | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| Spain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 24 |
| Switzerland | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 16 |
| Sweden | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Turkey | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Ukraine | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 16 |
| Wales | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Total | 175 | 55 | 40 | 80 | 216 | 303 |
- Luxemburg were awarded a 3–0 win[7]
Most capped players
Note: Competitive matches only
| # | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nika Kvekveskiri | 2009–2014 | 20 | 2 |
| 2 | Gulverd Tomashvili | 2008–2010 | 18 | 0 |
| 3 | Giorgi Khidesheli | 2005–2010 | 16 | 1 |
| 4 | Davit Ubilava | 2013–2016 | 15 | 0 |
| 5 | Mikheil Ashvetia | 1997–1999 | 14 | 6 |
| Solomon Kverkvelia | 2011–2013 | 0 |
Last updated: 16 June 2023
Top goalscorers
Note: Competitive matches only
| # | Player | Career | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikheil Ashvetia | 1997–1999 | 6 |
| Nika Kacharava | 2013–2016 | ||
| 3 | Rati Aleksidze | 1997–1999 | 4 |
| Vladimir Akhalaia | 2002–2003 | ||
| Beka Mikeltadze | 2017–2018 |
Last updated: 16 June 2023
Notable results
| Date | Tournament | Venue | Team | Result | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 September 1997 | Euro 1998 | Rustavi | Georgia | 2–0 | Italy |
| 20 November 2007 | Euro 2009 | Tbilisi | Georgia | 2–0 | Russia |
| 9 September 2009 | Euro 2011 | Zestafoni | Georgia | 4–0 | Turkey |
| 3 June 2011 | Euro 2013 | Dugopolje | Croatia | 0–1 | Georgia |
| 4 September 2014 | Euro 2015 | Deventer | Netherlands | 0–1 | Georgia |
| 16 November 2021 | Friendly | Batumi | Georgia | 3–2 | England |
| 21 June 2023 | Euro 2023 | Tbilisi | Georgia | 2–0 | Portugal |
Notable former players
- Akaki Khubutia
- Aleksandre Amisulashvili
- Alexander Guruli
- Alexander Kobakhidze
- Davit Devdariani
- Dato Kvirkvelia
- David Targamadze
- George Popkhadze
- Giorgi Loria
- Giorgi Makaridze
- Gogita Gogua
- Gulverd Tomashvili
- Guram Kashia
- Jaba Kankava
- Jaba Lipartia
- Jano Ananidze
- Kakha Kaladze
- Levan Kakubava
- Levan Kenia
- Levan Mchedlidze
- Mate Vatsadze
- Murtaz Daushvili
- Nika Dzalamidze
- Nukri Revishvili
- Otar Martsvaladze
- Roin Kvaskhvadze
- Shota Grigalashvili
- Solomon Kvirkvelia
- Tornike Okriashvili
- Ucha Lobjanidze
- Valeri Kazaishvili
- Vladimir Dvalishvili
- Zurab Khizanishvili
Managerial history
- Shota Cheishvili (1994–97)
- Vladimir Gutsaev (1997–1998)
- Gigla Imnadze (1998–1999)
- Murtaz Khurtsilava (1999–2001)
- Vakhtang Kopaleishvili (2001–2003)
- Revaz Arveladze (2003–2004)
- Gocha Tkebuchava (2004–2005)
- Koba Zhorzhikashvili (2005–2006)
- Ralf Minge (2006–2007)
- Petar Segrt (2007–2009)
- Kakha Tskhadadze (2009)
- Otar Gabelia (2009–2011)
- Soso Chedia (2011–2012)
- Aleksandre Chivadze (2012–2016)
- Gia Geguchadze (2016–2017)
- Giorgi Tsetsadze (2017–2019)
- Vasil Maisuradze (2020)
- Ramaz Svanadze (2021–present)
Source[8]
Media coverage
Georgia Euro qualifiers and international friendlies are currently shown by the Public Broadcaster.
References
- "Georgia loses to Israel in penalty shootout of UEFA U21 European Championship quarter-finals". agenda.ge. 2 July 2023.
- "Under-21 EURO finals attendance record broken". uefa.com. UEFA. 1 July 2023.
- "U21 coaches". nakrebi.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- "ახალგაზრდული ნაკრების შემადგენლობა ყაზახეთთან მატჩისთვის" (in Georgian). საქართველოს ფეხბურთის ფედერაცია. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- "Squad". nakrebi.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- "U21 statistics". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- "Georgia vs Luxemburg". uefa.com. UEFA. 5 March 2014.
- "ახალგაზრდული ნაკრების ყველა მატჩი". 1tv.ge (in Georgian), p.33. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
External links
- Team Profile & Squad at UEFA.com