FC Spaeri

FC Spaeri (Georgian: საფეხბურთო კლუბი სპაერი) is a Georgian association football club based in Tbilisi. The club competes in Liga 2, the second tier of the Georgian football system.

FC Spaeri
Founded2017; 7 years ago (2017)
GroundSpaeri Stadium, Tbilisi
Capacity2,500
ManagerKakha Maisuradze
LeagueErovnuli Liga 2
20233rd in Erovnuli Liga 2

History

Spaeri was established in 2017 by five individuals working in the Special State Protection Service,[1] the badge of the team resembling the logo of the SSPS. The team mostly consisted of the servicemen of this organization and initially participated in the Tbilisi Open League - the 5th and lowest level of the league pyramid[2] before becoming a member of the Regionuli Liga.[3]

Spaeri finished the 2018 season as runners-up and obtained the right to take part in the newly created Liga 4. Having won 21 games out of 27, they claimed the 2019 Liga 4 title and won automatic promotion to Liga 3.

Their debut in the third division was impressive with Spaeri vying for a promotion play-off place up until the last matchday. Eventually, the club came two points short of third place.[4]

The team improved their performance in 2021 and, following an unbeaten run in 20 league games, won the 2021 Liga 3 title six rounds before the end of the season.[5]

Initially, they did not seem encouraging in the second division. With a single point in their initial four matches, Spaeri were sitting bottom of the table. However, the team quickly recovered, produced the longest unbeaten streak of the season and qualified for the promotion play-offs by coming 2nd in the league. Forward Levan Papava became the top scorer of the league with 17 goals netted during the regular season.[6] He added a brace in a dramatic promotion-relegation tie against Erovnuli Liga side Gagra but the team failed to secure promotion as Gagra won on penalties.[7]

Managerial History

Kakha Maisuradze has been coaching the team since their foundation in 2017.

Stadium

Spaeri Stadium, located in an eastern suburb of Tbilisi, was officially opened in September 2018.[8] Тhe pitch has an artificial turf.

Seasons

SeasonLeaguePositionPWDLGF–GAPtsCup
2017Tbilisi Open League1st of 9↑211920112-1859Did not enter
2018Regionuli Liga, Group A2nd of 11↑20154179-18611st Round
2019Liga 41st of 10↑27211573-29643rd Round
2020Liga 34th of 101893631-20303rd Round
20211st of 10↑26204279-20643rd Round
2022Liga 22nd of 1028156757-3551Round of 16
20233rd of 10362061068-4866Round of 16

Current squad

As of 1 August 2023[9]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
13GK  GEONikoloz Abashidze
14DF  GEOGiga Samkharadze
17MF  GEOBeka Kartvelishvili
19MF  GEOGuram Lukava
20DF  GEONikoloz Kenchadze
21MF  GEOSaba Gegiadze
22MF  GEODavit Nachkebia
23FW  GEOLuka Sosiashvili
24FW  GEOTeimuraz Gabunia
27GK  GEOLuka Chakhnashvili
33MF  GEOIrakli Argvliani

Honours

Georgian

References

External links