FC Gagra

FC Gagra ( ka, საფეხბურთო კლუბი გაგრა) is a Georgian football club, which competes in the Erovnuli Liga, the first tier of Georgian football.

The club has its origins in Gagra, Abkhazia. It was founded in Tbilisi by former player and coach Goderdzi Chikhradze and his cousin in 2004 with a plan to move the club to Gagra in the end, but due to the ongoing Abkhazia conflict the team plays its home games in Tbilisi.

FC Gagra is the only non-top flight Georgian team which has twice won the national cup.

History

First years, 2004–2010

The new club was formed as FC Gagra in 2004 in Regionuli Liga, where they won promotion to Pirveli Liga.
After winning their second-tier division, Gagra lost the promotion play-off in 2005–06 and 2006–07. In 2007–08, they again lost the promotion play-off, but after some withdrawals in the Umaglesi Liga the team was finally promoted.
In the 2008–09 season, the team played in the top league, but were to be relegated in the end. Gagra avoided relegation only after higher placed teams withdrew from the league.

Prolific decade, 2011–21

Gagra won the 2010–11 Pirveli Liga season, and became the winner of the Georgian Cup by defeating three-time winners Torpedo Kutaisi 1–0 after extra time.

In every season since their relegation to Liga 2 in 2012, Gagra were considered tough rivals aiming at the first division with 5th place being the worst final position. Overall, the club took part in Erovnuli Liga playoffs six times in sixteen years, although failed to overcome their opponents until 2021 when they beat Shukura and returned to the top flight after a ten-year absence.

Gagra's performance in the David Kipiani Cup was successful. As a second-division team, they reached the final in 2018 for the second time only to lose in penalty shootout. Two years later, though, they knocked out five clubs, including some of those regarded as contenders for the title, and won the cup without conceding a single goal in 630 minutes.

As a three-time finalist and two-time winner of the Cup final within these 10 years, Gagra achieved one of the best results among Georgian clubs.

Among the strongest, since 2022

Тhe 2023 season was noteworthy for Gagra. First, they achieved their best results in the top division and for the first time sealed their league place for a third successive year. Besides, forward Zurab Museliani, who netted 17 goals, finished among the three top scorers of the season. Gagra's junior team also shined. Although they made a debut in the fifth division, the team won the title race and gained automatic promotion to Liga 4.

Records and statistics

League and cup history

Notes

European history

As the winners of the 2010/11 Cup competition, Gagra took part in UEFA Europa League second qualifying round against the high-flying Anorthosis Famagusta. Widely regarded as favorites of the tie, the Cypriot side had a clear advantage in Larnaca, which resulted in 3–0 victory, but Gagra fought back in the second leg held in Zestaponi. They scored an early goal, shortly afterwards increased the lead, although eventually failed to equalize the aggregate score.

Current squad

(on loan from Dinamo Tbilisi)

Personnel

Management

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

Honours

* Erovnuli Liga 2
** Winners (2): 2007–08, 2010–11
** ''Runners-up'' (2): 2016, 2021
** Third place (5): 2005–06, 2006–07, 2014–15, 2018, 2020
* Georgian Cup
** Winners (2): 2010–11, 2020

Managers

* Kakhi Karanadze (2004–2009)
* Viktor Kashchey (2009)
* Vladimer Khachidze (2009–2010)
* Anatoliy Piskovets (2010–2011)
* Varlam Kilasonia (2011)
* Zviad Jeladze (2011–2012)
* Tengiz Sichinava (2014)
* Anatoliy Piskovets (2015–2017)
* Denys Khomutov (2017–2018)
* Gaga Kirkitadze (2019–2023)
* Giorgi oniani (2023–present )

Notable players

Georgian national team member Tornike Okriashvili started his career as a professional player in this club in 2009–10, before moving to Shakhtar Donetsk on loan.

References

External links

Official SiteProfile at uefa.comFC Gagra Results

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gagra

Football clubs in Georgia (country)
Association football clubs established in 2004
2004 establishments in Georgia (country)
Association football clubs established in 2006