Umaglesi Liga 2008-09
Encyclopedia
Umaglesi Liga
2008–09 was the twentieth season of top-tier football in Georgia. It was scheduled to begin in August 2008, but the start of the league was delayed due to the 2008 South Ossetia war
. The first round of games finally took place on 13 and 14 September 2008. The season ended with the 33rd round played on 23 May 2009. Dinamo Tbilisi
were the defending champions.
The league was reduced from 14 to 12 teams prior to this season. However, Ameri Tbilisi
voluntarily withdrew from the competition in mid-July because of financial reasons. As no replacement team was announced, the league featured only 11 teams.
, Dinamo Batumi
and Dila Gori
were relegated at the end of the previous season due to finishing 12th through 14th, respectively. Spartaki Tskhinvali
, who finished the previous season in 11th place, retained their spot in Umaglesi Liga after defeating Pirveli Liga
runners-up Gagra
by 1–0.
Due to the reduction of league size, only Pirveli Liga
champions Chiatura were promoted. However, they did not want to compete in 2008–09 Umaglesi Liga because of unknown reasons, so Gagra took their spot.
Umaglesi Liga
The Georgian Top League is the top division of football in Georgia. Since 1990, it has been organized by the Professional Football League of Georgia and Georgian Football Federation. From 1927 to 1989, the competition was held as a regional tournament within the Soviet Union...
2008–09 was the twentieth season of top-tier football in Georgia. It was scheduled to begin in August 2008, but the start of the league was delayed due to the 2008 South Ossetia war
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
. The first round of games finally took place on 13 and 14 September 2008. The season ended with the 33rd round played on 23 May 2009. Dinamo Tbilisi
FC Dinamo Tbilisi
FC Dinamo Tbilisi is a Georgian football team, based in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.Dinamo Tbilisi was one of the most prominent clubs in Soviet football and a major contender in the Soviet Top League almost immediately after it was established in 1936...
were the defending champions.
The league was reduced from 14 to 12 teams prior to this season. However, Ameri Tbilisi
FC Ameri Tbilisi
FC Ameri Tbilisi is a Georgian football club based in Tbilisi. The club was founded in 2002.Ameri won promotion for the Second Division after the 2002-03 season. In 2003/04 they finished 12th out of 16 and were to be relegated, but were saved after withdrawal of two teams. In 2004/05 they became...
voluntarily withdrew from the competition in mid-July because of financial reasons. As no replacement team was announced, the league featured only 11 teams.
Promotion and relegation
Merani TbilisiFC Merani Tbilisi
FC Merani Tbilisi is a Georgian football club based in Tbilisi. They play in the Meore Liga, the third division in Georgian football. They play their home games at Sinatle Stadium.It name after the hotel in Tbilisi.Colours all red, all white....
, Dinamo Batumi
FC Dinamo Batumi
FC Dinamo Batumi is a Georgian football club based in Batumi, Adjara. They played in the Umaglesi Liga, the top division in Georgian football until 2007-2008 season, when relegated to Second Division: Pirveli Liga...
and Dila Gori
FC Dila Gori
FC Dila Gori is a Georgian football club based in Gori. The club plays in the Umaglesi Liga and plays their home games at Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium.- Current squad :15px-Seasons:-Sponsor:...
were relegated at the end of the previous season due to finishing 12th through 14th, respectively. Spartaki Tskhinvali
Spartaki-Tskhinvali Tbilisi
Spartaki Tskhinvali is a Georgian football club based in Tbilisi/Gori. They play in the Umaglesi Liga, the top division in Georgian football.Spartaki Tskhinvali is the new name for FC Tskhinvali, who withdrew in summer 2006....
, who finished the previous season in 11th place, retained their spot in Umaglesi Liga after defeating Pirveli Liga
Pirveli Liga
The Pirveli Liga is the Georgian First League, which serves as the second division of professional football in Georgia.-History:The Georgian First League was organized in 1990...
runners-up Gagra
FC Gagra Tbilisi
FC Gagra is a Georgian football club which currently plays in Umaglesi Liga.-History:The new club was formed as FC Gagra in 2004 at Regionuli Liga, where the club won promotion to the Pirveli Liga....
by 1–0.
Due to the reduction of league size, only Pirveli Liga
Pirveli Liga
The Pirveli Liga is the Georgian First League, which serves as the second division of professional football in Georgia.-History:The Georgian First League was organized in 1990...
champions Chiatura were promoted. However, they did not want to compete in 2008–09 Umaglesi Liga because of unknown reasons, so Gagra took their spot.
Stadia and locations
| Team | Location | Venue | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Borjomi FC Borjomi FC Borjomi is a Georgian football club based in Borjomi. They play in the Umaglesi Liga, the top division in Georgian football. They play their home games at Jemal Zeinklishvili Stadium.The club also named as Tori Borjomi-Seasons:- Current squad :... |
Borjomi Borjomi Borjomi is a resort town in south-central Georgia with a population estimated at 14,445. It is one of the districts of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and is situated in the northwestern part of the region in the picturesque Borjomi Gorge on the eastern edge of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park... |
Jemal Zeinklishvili Stadium Jemal Zeinklishvili Stadium Jemal Zeinklishvili Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Borjomi, Georgia. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of FC Borjomi. The stadium is able to hold 4,000 people.... |
5,000 |
| Dinamo FC Dinamo Tbilisi FC Dinamo Tbilisi is a Georgian football team, based in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.Dinamo Tbilisi was one of the most prominent clubs in Soviet football and a major contender in the Soviet Top League almost immediately after it was established in 1936... |
Tbilisi Tbilisi Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936... |
Boris Paichadze Stadium Boris Paichadze Stadium The Boris Paichadze National Stadium , also known as the Dinamo Stadium, is a football stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia. It is the home stadium of FC Dinamo Tbilisi. The stadium was built in 1976 by Georgian architect Gia Kurdiani. Before then Dinamo's stadium was a smaller ground with a maximum... |
55,000 |
| Gagra FC Gagra Tbilisi FC Gagra is a Georgian football club which currently plays in Umaglesi Liga.-History:The new club was formed as FC Gagra in 2004 at Regionuli Liga, where the club won promotion to the Pirveli Liga.... |
Tbilisi | Ameri Stadium | 1,000 |
| Lokomotivi FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi is a Georgian football club from the capital, Tbilisi. During the existence of the USSR the club was a part of the Lokomotiv Voluntary Sports Society. The club has strong connections with the Georgian Railways.-History:*1936: Founded.... |
Tbilisi | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium Mikheil Meskhi Stadium The Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, also known as the Lokomotivi Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia named after the famous Georgian international footballer. It is used mostly for football matches, and occasionally for rugby union matches. The stadium was renovated in 2001 and has a... |
24,680 |
| Meskheti FC Meskheti Akhaltsikhe FC Meskheti Akhaltsikhe is a Georgian football club based in Akhaltsikhe. They no longer play in the Umaglesi Liga, the top division in Georgian football.- Current squad :... |
Akhaltsikhe Akhaltsikhe Akhaltsikhe is a small city in Georgia's southwestern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti. It is situated on the both banks of a small river Potskhovi, which separates the city to the old city in the north and new in the south. The name of the city translates from Georgian as "new fortress".- History... |
Central Stadium | 3,000 |
| Mglebi FC Mglebi Zugdidi FC Mglebi Zugdidi is a Georgian football club based in Zugdidi. They play in the Umaglesi Liga, the top division in Georgian football.In July 2006, FC Mglebi Zugdidi and FC Zugdidi merged.-Seasons:FC ZugdidiFC Mglebi Zugdidi... |
Zugdidi Zugdidi Zugdidi is a city in the Western Georgian historical province of Samegrelo . It is situated in the north-west of that province. The city is located 318 kilometres west of Tbilisi, 30 km. from Black sea coast and 30 km. from Egrisi range. 100-110 metres above sea level. As of 2007, it had a... |
Gulia Tutberidze Stadium Gulia Tutberidze Stadium Gulia Tutberidze Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Zugdidi, Georgia. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of FC Baia Zugdidi. The stadium is able to hold 7,000 people.... |
3,000 |
| Olimpi | Rustavi Rustavi Rustavi is a city in the southeast of Georgia, in the province of Kvemo Kartli, situated southeast of the capital Tbilisi. It stands on the Mtkvari River at... |
Poladi Stadium Poladi Stadium Poladi Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Rustavi, Georgia. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Olimpi Rustavi. The stadium is able to hold 10,720 people.- See also :*Stadiums in Georgia... |
10,720 |
| Sioni FC Sioni Bolnisi FC Sioni Bolnisi is a Georgian football club based in Bolnisi. The club was founded in 1936.After spending several years in the lower divisions of Georgian football between 1990 and 1995, Sioni won promotion to Umaglesi Liga for the 1995/96 season and have been playing there ever since... |
Bolnisi Bolnisi Bolnisi , is a city in the country of Georgia, located in the Kvemo Kartli region and capital of the Bolnisi district. Currently has an estimated 13,800 inhabitants.... |
Tamaz Stephania Stadium Tamaz Stephania Stadium Tamaz Stephania Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Bolnisi, Georgia. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of FC Sioni Bolnisi. The stadium is able to hold 3,000 people.... |
3,000 |
| Spartaki-Tskhinvali Spartaki-Tskhinvali Tbilisi Spartaki Tskhinvali is a Georgian football club based in Tbilisi/Gori. They play in the Umaglesi Liga, the top division in Georgian football.Spartaki Tskhinvali is the new name for FC Tskhinvali, who withdrew in summer 2006.... |
Tbilisi | Kartli Stadium Kartli Stadium Kartli Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Gori, Georgia. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Spartaki Tskhinvali. The stadium is able to hold 1,500 people.- See also :Stadiums in Georgia... |
1,500 |
| WIT Georgia FC WIT Georgia FC WIT Georgia is a Georgian football team, playing in the capital, Tbilisi. The team is sponsored by WIT Georgia Ltd, , a pet food, accessories, and human and veterinary pharmaceuticals import company. WIT stands for World Innovation Technologies... |
Tbilisi | Shevardeni Stadium Shevardeni Stadium Shevardeni Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of FC WIT Georgia. The stadium is able to hold 4,000 people.It was also home of Spartaki Tbilisi and Dinamo Sokhumi.... |
4,000 |
| FC Zestaponi FC Zestaponi Football Club Zestafoni is a Georgian football club based in Zestafoni. They play in the Umaglesi Liga, the top division in Georgian football. They play their home games at David Abashidze Stadium.... |
Zestaponi Zestaponi Zestafoni or Zestaponi is the capital of Zestaponi District in Western Georgia, which is part of Imereti province.It is an important industrial center, with a large ferro-alloy plant processing manganese ore from nearby Chiatura.... |
Municipal Stadium | 10,000 |