{"id":532,"date":"2018-12-04T13:17:22","date_gmt":"2018-12-04T13:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gagrafc.ge\/?page_id=532"},"modified":"2024-11-05T13:41:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T09:41:28","slug":"%e1%83%98%e1%83%a1%e1%83%a2%e1%83%9d%e1%83%a0%e1%83%98%e1%83%90","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gagrafc.ge\/en\/%e1%83%98%e1%83%a1%e1%83%a2%e1%83%9d%e1%83%a0%e1%83%98%e1%83%90\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Twenty years ago, people longing for their homes and land united and brought \"Gagra\" to Tbilisi. At that time, the small football club was a step forward on their journey back home. \"Gagra\" was founded in 2004 by Georgian businessman Besik Chikhradze, originally from Gagra and based in Ukraine, along with Giorgi Makhatadze, Mamuka Makhatadze, and Goderdzi Chikhradze. Driven by a shared dream, pain, and love for football, they decided to name the club \"Gagra.\" This is how the club \"Gagra\" was born.<\/p>

The idea of creating the club was further accelerated by the emergence of a promising young generation. In 2003-2004, the first Youth League tournament was held, where only top-league teams could participate. The high-level tournament ended with the championship of Goderdzi Chikhradze\u2019s team, which later competed under the name of Gagra. Over the years, the football club \"Gagra\" has become a symbol not only for its founders but also for the Georgian people, representing remembrance and the hope of returning to their homeland. The 20-year journey fueled by this dream has not been easy, but the club has managed to reach this point with dignity.<\/p>

At that time, establishing oneself in Georgian football was not so easy. Nevertheless, the newly formed club \"Gagra\" consistently held top positions in the First League standings but struggled to move up to the Premier League. In 2007, they lost in the playoffs to Sachkhere's \"Chikhura,\" and in 2008, to Tskhinvali's \"Spartak,\" thus saying goodbye to their Premier League aspirations.<\/p>

In addition to relentless hard work and struggle, a bit of luck was also needed. In the 2008\/09 season, \"Gagra\" was granted the right to participate in the Premier League of the National Championship after the decision of the Professional Football League\u2019s board, as Chiatura's \"Magaroeli\" club failed to meet the licensing criteria. \"Gagra,\" however, provided financial guarantees and met all necessary requirements. The team seized this opportunity brilliantly \u2014 in their very first match, they sensationally defeated the reigning champions, Tbilisi\u2019s \"Dinamo.\" \"Gagra\" spent two seasons in the Premier League before being relegated back to the First League.<\/p>

The 2010\/11 season was recorded in golden letters in the club's history. At that time, \"Gagra\" proved that it deserved the right to compete in the Premier League, and it wasn't just a matter of luck. The club went through a challenging journey to reach the final. First, they defeated Poti's \"Kolkheti\" and Tbilisi's \"Dinamo,\" then eliminated \"WIT Georgia\" in the semifinals, and in the final, they triumphed over Kutaisi's \"Torpedo.\" For the first time in history, the team became the First League champion and won the national cup. Sports journalists named \"Gagra\" the discovery of the year.<\/p>

After these historic victories, the club earned the right to participate in the UEFA Europa League and competed in its debut European tournaments. Through this achievement, \"Gagra\" managed to bring the club's name and history to the European football scene. For the club, this was not just a football celebration; beyond sporting success, the essence and idea behind creating \"Gagra\" is to return to the city of Gagra and play there. This dream seems impossible without being part of the European family.<\/p>

In the second qualifying round of the Europa League, \"Gagra\" faced another refugee team, \"Anorthosis.\" The first match, played away, ended with a 3-0 loss for \"Gagra.\" However, despite this heavy defeat, they managed to defeat their opponent 2-0 in Zestafoni with goals by Giorgi Gabedava and Giorgi Tkeshelashvili. Ultimately, \"Gagra\" lost 2-3 on aggregate across the two matches.<\/p>

In 2017, \"Gagra\" was unable to secure a spot in the National League but made history as the first winner of Georgia's Winter Cup. \"Gagra\" won all five matches in the tournament and claimed the cup.<\/p>

In 2019, \"Gagra\" regained its former glory and successfully reclaimed its place in the Premier League, where it continues to compete with honor to this day.<\/p>

In 2020, during the strict conditions of the COVID pandemic and in front of empty stands, the club once again earned the Georgian Cup. This was a testament to \"Gagra's\" resilience in overcoming challenges and stepping onto a new level of development.<\/p>

In the David Kipiani Cup, \"Gagra\" defeated Poti's \"Kolkheti 1913\" with a significant 4-0 score in the round of 16, won 1-0 against Batumi's \"Dinamo,\" overcame Gori's \"Dila\" in a penalty shootout, and defeated both \"Saburtalo\" and \"Saguramo,\" claiming the cup deservedly.<\/p>

This victory brought the club another moment of glory. In Georgian football history, the Abkhazian club representing Georgia became the only one to reach the European stage for a second time, once again as a representative of the Second League.<\/p>

As a result of winning the cup in 2020, the team competed in the debut 2021-22 season of the UEFA Conference League. Representing Georgia's Crystalbet League 2, \"Gagra\" faced Montenegro's \"Sutjeska.\" Under the coaching of Gaga Kirkitadze, they lost the first game 0-1 away to \"Sutjeska\" and drew 1-1 in the return match. Ultimately, \"Gagra\" was defeated 1-2 on aggregate and was eliminated from the tournament.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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