Georgia national under-21 football team
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 | |||
![]() ![]() (Tbilisi, 27 May 1994) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Vienna, 26 March 2013) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Chervonohrad, 12 October 2004) | |||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2023) | ||
Best result | Quarter-finals (2023) | ||
Website | nakrebi.ge |
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.
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[edit]
Georgia Under 21 at European Championship[edit]
Year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() | 1/4 f. | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
Note:
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA European U-21 Championship qualification[edit]
Year | Group | Place | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Group 7 | 5th | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
![]() | Group 2 | 2nd | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 10 |
![]() | Group 2 | 3rd | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 13 |
![]() | Group 8 | 5th | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 17 |
![]() | Group 10 | 5th | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 16 |
![]() | Group 2 | 5th | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 22 |
![]() | Group 3 | 3rd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
![]() | Group 4 | 5th | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 22 |
![]() | Group 2 | 3rd | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 9 |
![]() | Group 5 | 3rd | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 18 |
![]() | Group 3 | 4th | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 15 |
![]() | Group 6 | 4th | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 17 |
![]() ![]() | Group 3 | 3rd | 8 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 19 |
![]() ![]() | Group 2 | 3rd | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 14 |
![]() ![]() | Qualified as hosts | |||||||
![]() | Group C |
2025 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | +19 | 21 | Final tournament | — | 9 Sep '24 | 14 Oct '24 | 3–0 | 5 Sep '24 | 1–0 | |
2 | ![]() | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 13 | Play-offs | 0–3 | — | 0–0 | 5 Sep '24 | 15 Oct '24 | 2–0 | |
3 | ![]() | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 10 | 2–4 | 10 Oct '24 | — | 4–0 | 0–1 | 6 Sep '24 | ||
4 | ![]() | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 15 | −9 | 6[a] | 0–3 | 0–1 | 10 Sep '24 | — | 2–1 | 1–2 | ||
5 | ![]() | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 6[a] | 0–2 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 11 Oct '24 | — | 1–0 | ||
6 | ![]() | 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:
Results and fixtures[edit]
Win Draw Loss
2024[edit]
26 March 2024 UEFA Euro QR | Gibraltar ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | Gibraltar |
17:00 GEO | Report | Stadium: Victoria Stadium Referee: J.Sundberg (Denmark) |
22 March 2024 Friendly | Turkey ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Istanbul, Turkey |
21:30 GET |
| Report | Abuashvili ![]() | Stadium: Pendik Stadyumu |
2023[edit]
16 November 2023 UEFA Euro QR | North Macedonia ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Skopje, North Macedonia |
16:00 GET | Report |
| Stadium: FFM Training Centre Referee: Rauf Jabarov (Azerbaijan) |
17 October 2023 UEFA Euro QR | Georgia ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Batumi, Georgia |
19:00 GET | Report | Stadium: Batumi Stadium Referee: Michael Fabbri (Italy) |
12 October 2023 UEFA Euro QR | Georgia ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() | Batumi, Georgia |
18:00 GET | Report | Stadium: Batumi Stadium Referee: Alessandro Dudic (Switzerland) |
12 September 2023 UEFA Euro QR | Moldova ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Chisinau, Moldova |
20:00 | Report |
| Stadium: Stadionul Zimbru Referee: Antti Munukka (Finland) |
6 September 2023 UEFA Euro QR | Georgia ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Kutaisi, Georgia |
20:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Ramaz Shengelia Stadium Referee: Daniyar Sakhi (Kazakhstan) |
1 July 2023 UEFA Euro U21 Quarterfinal | Georgia ![]() | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | ![]() | Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Stadium Attendance: 44,338 Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway) | ||
Penalties | ||||
27 June 2023 UEFA Euro U21 | Netherlands ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Boris Paichadze Stadium Attendance: 43,004 Referee: Rade Obrenović (Slovenia) |
24 June 2023 UEFA Euro U21 | Georgia ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 |
| Report | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Stadium Attendance: 41,886 Referee: Duje Strukan (Croatia) |
21 June 2023 UEFA Euro U21 | Georgia ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 | Report | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Stadium Attendance: 24,447 Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway) |
15 June 2023 Friendly | Georgia ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Stadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium |
2022[edit]
21 November 2022 Friendly | Georgia ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Gori, Georgia |
|
| Stadium: Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium |
16 November 2022 Friendly | Georgia ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Gori, Georgia |
|
| Stadium: Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium |
27 September 2022 Friendly | Turkey ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Istanbul, Turkey |
Stadium: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium |
24 September 2022 Friendly | Portugal ![]() | 4–1 | ![]() | Covilhã, Portugal |
| Stadium: Estádio Municipal José dos Santos Pinto |
3 June 2022 Friendly | Georgia ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Gori, Georgia |
| Stadium: Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium |
29 March 2022 Friendly | Georgia ![]() | 4–1 | ![]() | Gori, Georgia |
|
| Stadium: Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium |
Current team[edit]
Coaching staff[edit]
As of June 2023[3]
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head Coach | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Goalkeeper coach | ![]() |
Fitness coach | ![]() |
Video analyst | ![]() |
Players[edit]
The following players born in or after 2002 were called up for a friendly game against Turkey and 2025 UEFA European under-21 championship qualification match against Gibraltar in March 2024.[4]
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been called up to the senior team.
Caps and goals correct as of 26 March 2024, after the match against Gibraltar.[5]
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23 | GK | Luka Kharatishvili | 13 January 2003 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
1 | GK | Mikheil Makatsaria | 11 June 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | GK | Levan Tandilashvili | 27 February 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Saba Khvadagiani | 30 January 2003 | 19 | 2 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Saba Goglichidze | 25 June 2004 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
13 | DF | Saba Mamatsashvili | 23 August 2003 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
2 | DF | Zurab Rukhadze | 30 July 2003 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Nikoloz Ugrekhelidze | 15 August 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
18 | DF | Luka Salukvadze | 28 January 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
DF | Luka Latsabidze | 18 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
16 | DF | Davit Zurabiani | 22 February 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
10 | MF | Luka Gagnidze | 28 February 2003 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Otar Mamageishvili | 15 January 2003 | 12 | 1 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Levan Osikmashvili | 20 April 2002 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
7 | MF | Lasha Odisharia | 23 October 2002 | 7 | 1 | ![]() |
11 | MF | Gizo Mamageishvili | 15 January 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
19 | MF | Tornike Morchiladze | 10 January 2002 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
17 | MF | Shalva Ogbaidze | 8 January 2002 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
MF | Gabriel Sigua | 30 June 2005 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
15 | MF | Nikoloz Sikharulashvili | 7 October 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | MF | Irakli Egoian | 19 March 2004 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
6 | MF | Nikoloz Tskhovrebashvili | 7 January 2004 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
9 | FW | Giorgi Kvernadze | 7 February 2003 | 10 | 1 | ![]() |
20 | FW | Giorgi Abuashvili | 8 February 2003 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
22 | FW | Vasilios Gordeziani | 29 January 2002 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
Recent call-up[edit]
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DF | Saba Sazonov | 1 February 2002 | 8 | 1 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Giorgi Maisuradze | 31 January 2002 | 8 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Irakli Azarovi | 21 February 2002 | 7 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Gegi Geguchadze | 30 December 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
DF | Mukhran Bagrationi | 13 February 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
MF | Demetre Gvasalia | 28 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Giorgi Gvishiani | 19 November 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
FW | Jaduli Iobashvili | 1 January 2004 | 3 | 1 | ![]() | v. ![]() |
Statistics[edit]
Last update: 26 March 2024[6]
Note: Includes friendly matches
Opponent | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
![]() | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
![]() | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 15 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
![]() | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
![]() | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
![]() | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
![]() | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
![]() | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 |
![]() | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
![]() | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1* | 3 | 3 |
![]() | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 |
![]() | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 4 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
![]() | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 17 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
![]() | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
![]() | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
![]() | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
![]() | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 24 |
![]() | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 16 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
![]() | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 16 |
![]() | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
Total | 174 | 55 | 39 | 80 | 216 | 303 |
- Luxemburg were awarded a 3–0 win[7]
Most capped players[edit]
Note: Competitive matches only
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Lech_Pozna%C5%84_football_team_2022-07-21_Nika_Kwekweskiri.jpg/220px-Lech_Pozna%C5%84_football_team_2022-07-21_Nika_Kwekweskiri.jpg)
# | 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[edit]
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[edit]
Date | Tournament | Venue | Team | Result | Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 September 1997 | Euro 1998 | Rustavi | ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
20 November 2007 | Euro 2009 | Tbilisi | ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
9 September 2009 | Euro 2011 | Zestafoni | ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() |
3 June 2011 | Euro 2013 | Dugopolje | ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
4 September 2014 | Euro 2015 | Deventer | ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
16 November 2021 | Friendly | Batumi | ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() |
21 June 2023 | Euro 2023 | Tbilisi | ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
Notable former players[edit]
- 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[edit]
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]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "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.
- ^ "წლის ბოლო მატჩი სკოპიეში - ახალგაზრდულის შემადგენლობა და განრიგი" (in Georgian). საქართველოს ფეხბურთის ფედერაცია. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "Squad". nakrebi.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 26 March 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[edit]
- Team Profile & Squad at UEFA.com