Kobiashvili's second term in Georgia

Levan Kobiashvili has been re-elected as president of the Georgian Football Federation (GFF).

The 41-year-old former Georgia international defender, who played 100 times for his country, was confirmed in office for a further four years at the GFF congress in Tbilisi, having first been elected in October 2015.

“I was never an individually strong player, but I was a good team player,” said Kobiashvili, who is second in the list of foreign players to have played the most matches in Germany's Bundesliga – 351 with SC Freiburg, FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC Berlin. “I think it's the biggest achievement of our team that Georgian football is now as united as ever.”

“During my first term,” Kobiashvili continued, “we did a lot together to improve infrastructures, as well as the education of coaches, referees, managers and medical personnel. We now have better conditions not only for professional football, but also for youth, women’s and amateur football.”

Georgia’s national team finished top of Group 1 in League D in the inaugural UEFA Nations League group phase, and are looking forward to the future with confidence, with a shot at qualifying for UEFA EURO 2020 guaranteed through the play-offs, provided that they do not qualify directly via the upcoming European Qualifiers.

“Assessment always features the results of the national team, whose success has given positive impetus to our work,” the GFF president said. “We are close to our goal, but we must not put our head in the clouds, and we must still stay self-critical.”