Georgian PM, Parliament Speaker nominate national football team, Federation for Medal of Honour prize

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday sent an official submission to the country’s President to award the national football team, its coaches and the management of the national Football Federation with the Medal of Honour state prize, to honour the squad’s first-ever qualification for a major international tournament with the defeat of Greece on Tuesday.

The team booked a spot at the 2024 European Championship with their penalty shootout win over the visiting counterparts at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi, after the extra time ended in a goalless draw.

The Government Administration said the nominees from the national team for the award included goalkeepers Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giorgi Loria, Luka Gugeshashvili, defenders Solomon Kvirkvelia, Saba Sazonov, Guram Kashia, Giorgi Gvelesiani, Lasha Dvali, Luka Lochoshvili, Otar Kakabadze and Giorgi Gocholeishvili.

Midfielders Vladimer Mamuchashvili, Levan Shengelia, Giorgi Tsitaishvili, Otar Kiteishvili, Nika Kvekveskiri, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Sandro Altunashvili, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Jaba Kankava, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Zuriko Davitashvili and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were also included in the list.

Georges Mikautadze, Budu Zivzivadze and Giorgi Kvilitaia are the forwards of the national squad that have been picked for the honour, along with head coach Willy Sagnol and his assistants Adel Chedli, Zurab Khizanishvili, Davit Gvaramadze, Irakli Chitauri, Levan Zamtaradze, Fabien Bossuet and David Webb.

Photo via nakrebi

Georgian Football Federation President Levan Kobiashvili, General Secretary Davit Mujiri, First Vice President Kakha Chumburidze, Vice Presidents Nikoloz Jgarkava, Aleksandre Iashvili and Akaki Aladashvili, as well as Technical Director Zaza Zamtaradze are also in the shortlist.

Finally, the nominees include national team staff members Giorgi Katsitadze, Vladimir Dvalishvili, Davit Kharabadze, Giorgi Changelia, Mikheil Abramishvili, Giorgi Bzhalava, Tengiz Gulbiani, Giorgi Kochladze, Grigol Lezhava, Gela Guchua, Giorgi Phugadze and Konstantin Tedeluri.