UEFA Super Cup: FC Barcelona gets warm welcome from Tbilisi

Hundreds of Georgian fans gathered around the city to greet one of the world’s best football teams – FC Barcelona - as it arrived in capital Tbilisi today.

The charter plane touched down at Tbilisi International Airport late this afternoon before the team headed to their hotel in central Tbilisi.

Watch the video of FC Barcelona getting of the plane in Tbilisi.

The team has arrived in Tbilisi #Supercup#FCBSevilla#FCBlive#DRE4Mpic.twitter.com/lmYevXbXbK

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 10, 2015

Fans stood, waved Barça flags and sang the team’s anthem from several spots on the main streets between the city and the airport but the largest group of supporters waited for the team in front of their Tbilisi base – the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel.

Georgian fans greet FC Barcelona in front of Tbilisi Merriott Hotel. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

These young boys brought a ball for forward Lionel Messi to sign but they never got the chance to approach any of the players.

Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

This girl was also left disappointed as the players disappeared through the hotel entrance immediately after they got off their bus.

Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC are in Tbilisi to play one of the year’s most anticipated games – the UEFA Super Cup final tomorrow.

Sevilla FC is staying at the Hotel Holiday Inn in another part of Tbilisi. The team arrived in Georgia’s capital two days ago.

Meanwhile UEFA president Michel Platini arrived in Tbilisi earlier this evening. He will attend tomorrow’s match and hang medals around the winners’ necks.

Both of the teams were accompanied to Tbilisi by their respective fan clubs. To accommodate both sides, there will be two different fan zones in Tbilisi tomorrow. Barcelona fans will convene in the Maidani area (the oldest part of town) while Sevilla fans will gather at Vera Park in the Vere neighbourhood.

Georgian fans of FC Barcelona. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

Tickets to the match sold out weeks ago but football fans without a ticket will still be able to watch the match. Tbilisi City Hall installed a large screen at Vake Park in central Tbilisi where those without tickets can watch the game together.

The game will take place at the Boris Paitchadze Donamo Arena at 10.45pm tomorrow. All streets near the stadium will be temporarily blocked before and during the game to ensure security. Tbilisi Metro will operate until 3am (three hours longer than usual) to take supporters home once the game is over.