Georgia: A footballing dream that is years in the making
A national side that has existed for just over 30 years will have a footballing first this summer
The fall of the Soviet Union changed the face of Europe, with 15 nations becoming their own independent country after decades of rule behind the Iron Curtain. All aspects of society changed, including one that wasn’t perhaps at the top of people’s agenda.
The birth of new nations created new football teams, including Georgia. The side had their first match in 1990 against Lithuania- another nation born out of the ashes of the Soviet Union. It has been a tough footballing journey for the country, but 2024 will see the team make history.
The Georgian Men’s team has qualified for a major tournament for the first time. Euro 2024 in Germany will see the side face Portugal, Turkey, and the Czech Republic, with plenty of points up for grabs for Jvarosnebi (Crusaders).
Their path to qualifying was lined with brutal nights out, with a thumping 7–1 loss to Spain being their biggest defeat by some margin. Their points came from two wins against Cyprus and draws against Scotland and Norway, enough to seal a spot in the play-offs.
These were divided into three paths, and standing between Georgia and Euro 2024 was firstly Luxembourg- who were defeated 2–0- and then Greece in the play-off final. Substitute Nika Kvekveskiri bagged the winning penalty in front of over 40,000 people in Tbilisi.
Looking back at the history books, Georgia’s first ever European Championship qualifying campaign was, until the success ahead of Euro 2024, was their first. On the road to Euro 1996, Georgia won five of their 10 matches and finished third in their group. The side went on to win 14 matches in their next six Euro qualifying campaigns, with the additional three wins in the most recent campaign being enough to seal a play-off spot.
Success in the European Championship’s qualifying has come following successful UEFA Nations League campaigns. Since its inception in 2018, Georgia have won two promotions, and they have one of the highest win percentages of any side in the tournament.
Georgia’s historic first major tournament is no fluke, it is a success that has been long in the making. The nation’s football federation has implemented an ambitious programme of development. According to UEFA between 2015 and 2021, the number of registered male football players in Georgia rose from 14,676 to 37,600, with the number of female players increasing more than tenfold.
Evidence of their development as a footballing nation can be traced through the youth setup. At the UEFA Under 21 European Championships Georgia topped their group, a group that contained Portugal and Belgium. In a tournament they co-hosted with Romania, Georgia reached the quarter-finals and after a 0–0 draw against Israel, they lost out in a penalty shoot-out.
Getting more nations making their debuts at major tournaments feels good for football, and having one that has only existed for 34 years is the type of footballing heritage we can all get behind. With the positive strides being taken off the pitch as well as a clear talented pool of youth players, Euro 2024 may be the first of many tournaments the men’s national team will be appearing at.
