Grieving Gvaramadze withdraws
Friday, October 11, 2002
Article summary
Davit Gvaramadze has pulled out of Georgia's squad to face Russia after his father's death.
Article body
Georgia goalkeeper Davit Gvaramadze has pulled out of Saturday's EURO 2004™ qualifying match against Russia to mourn the death of his father.
Sad occasion
Coach Alexander Chivadze announced that the goalkeeper's father had died on Friday and that Gvaramadze had left the Georgian training camp. "He has already left the squad to prepare for his father's funeral," said Chivadze. "He is too upset to play anyway."
Lomaia steps in
FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi goalkeeper Georgi Lomaia is now expected to have a starting role against the Russians in their Group 10 match with FC Torpedo Kutaisi's Grigol Chanturia as back-up.
Second bereavement
It was the second sudden death of a family member among the Georgian players after midfield player Gocha Jamarauli lost his father following a heart attack last week.
Jamarauli sidelined
Jamarauli told Georgian journalists on Friday that he was not expecting to be included in the starting lineup on Saturday as he came to terms with his bereavement.
