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'Žalgiris' Success Recipe Revealer, a Georgian, Awaits Special Encounter
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Sports

'Žalgiris' Success Recipe Revealer, a Georgian, Awaits Special Encounter

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • "Žalgiris" will play FC Dinamo Tbilisi in the second qualifying round of a European competition on Thursday evening.
  • The match holds special significance for "Žalgiris" player S. Mamacašvili, who is from Georgia and considers Tbilisi his home.
  • Despite Dinamo Tbilisi's historical success, their recent European performance has been modest, while "Žalgiris" is preparing to compete despite a short turnaround.

Vilnius's "Žalgiris" faces a significant European qualifier on Thursday evening as they travel to Georgia to play FC Dinamo Tbilisi, one of the country's most renowned clubs. The first leg of this encounter will take place at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 8 PM Lithuanian time.

I feel incredible because this is my homeland, where I was born... It's a wonderful feeling. I feel like I'm playing at home again, as if this isn't an away match.

— S. MamacašviliDescribing his emotions about playing in his native Georgia against Dinamo Tbilisi.

Dinamo Tbilisi boasts a rich history as a multiple-time Georgian champion and cup winner, with their most notable international achievement being the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1981. Historically, the teams met in the top USSR league. For "Žalgiris" player S. Mamacašvili, a Georgian native, this match carries profound personal meaning. He expressed feeling as though he is playing at home, despite it being an away game.

"I feel incredible because this is my homeland, where I was born... It's a wonderful feeling. I feel like I'm playing at home again, as if this isn't an away match," Mamacašvili stated at a press conference. He added that the team is fully prepared to fight for victory, acknowledging Dinamo Tbilisi's strengths and weaknesses, which were presented by the coaches during team meetings. Mamacašvili emphasized his professional duty to perform regardless of his personal connection to the opponent.

The team is fully prepared to fight for victory.

— S. MamacašviliAssessing the team's readiness for the upcoming match.

While Dinamo Tbilisi is the most decorated club in Georgia, their recent domestic and European performance has been less dominant. They have won the league title only three times in the last decade, with their last championship in 2022. In European tournaments, their last group stage appearance was in 2005. Last season, they finished fourth in their domestic league. Currently, Dinamo Tbilisi sits third in the league standings after 19 rounds, trailing leaders Iberia 1999 by three points. "Žalgiris" faces the challenge of competing after a recent match in Lithuania, but the team is ready.

I respect Georgian teams like 'Dinamo', but my job is to play.

— S. MamacašviliBalancing personal connection with professional responsibility.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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