FIFA.com - News

The European Cup's exceptional upsets

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:48:00 GMT

If APOEL Nicosia are to make the UEFA Champions League semi-finals they will have to pull a huge upset to see off Real Madrid. FIFA.com looks back across the tournament's six decades for some inspiration from underdogs.

Dynamo Tbilisi sack Spanish coach Garcia

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:34:00 GMT

Alex Garcia's spell at the helm of Dynamo Tbilisi has been brought to an end after a poor showing in pre-season following just over six months in charge.

Greece through with Georgia win

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:09:00 GMT

David Targamadze had given Georgia a shock lead in the first-half, but goals from Giorgios Fotakis and Angelos Charisteas 11 minutes from time sealed a 2-1 win for Greece and a place at UEFA EURO 2012.

Greece make late call-ups for Georgia

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:43:00 GMT

Greece have had to bring an two emergency call-ups ahead of their final, and crucial, UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier, requiring a draw against Georgia to make it through as Group B winners.

Greece, Belgium push for qualification

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Greece moved into pole position in UEFA EURO 2012 qualification Group F after beating fellow contenders Croatia 2-0, while Belgium beat Kazakhstan 4-1 to move into second in Group A at Turkey's expense.

Greece wary of Israel danger

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:37:00 GMT

Greece's players have been speaking about putting their unbeaten record against Israel, with the afternoon heat in Tel Aviv among their main concerns.

Spain toppled as Germany best Brazil

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:38:00 GMT

Reigning world champions Spain and five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil were the big losers in Wednesday’s international friendlies, going down to Italy and Germany respectively.

Vitesse snap up hot prospect

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Vitesse Arnhem have signed 18-year-old Georgian winger Valeri Kazaishvili on a three-year contract.

Benfica, Twente stroll through

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:38:00 GMT

Portuguese giants Benfica secured progression to the UEFA Champions League play-offs at the expense of Trabzonspor, with FC Twente, Rubin Kazan and Malmo also advancing.

Polanski adds to Polish foreign flavour

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:06:00 GMT

Former German youth international Eugen Polanski has been called up for the upcoming Poland friendly with Georgia, with the defensive midfielder adding to the French-born Ludovic Obraniak in the squad.

Atletico dealt Norwegian Europa trip

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:11:00 GMT

Atletico Madrid will face Norwegian side Stromsgodset, who last appeared in the UEFA Cup 13 years ago, while Stoke City have been been paired against Hadjuk Split in the UEFA Europa League.

Benfica to face Trabz after UEFA draw

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:33:00 GMT

The draw for the UEFA Champions League has taken place, with a number of exciting ties being thrown up, including Benfica taking on Trabzonspor and Rubin Kazan facing national neighbours Dynamo Kiev.

Germany march as French weep

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:21:00 GMT

Germany continued to stroll in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying with a 2-1 win over Austria in Vienna, while Eric Abidal’s own goal saw France muster only a draw with Belarus on the road in Minsk.

Croatia comeback seals top spot

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:27:00 GMT

In a frantic second-half flurry, Croatia came from behind to defeat Georgia 2-1 in a UEFA EURO 2012 Group F qualifying match with Mario Mandzukic and Nikola Kalinic on target for the visitors.

Croatia, Israel aiming for summit

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:32:00 GMT

Croatia can take a temporary lead in Group F if they beat Georgia tomorrow, although current leaders Greece face Malta on Saturday, while Israel can remain in contention with victory over Latvia.

Pre-holiday push for EURO stars

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:59:00 GMT

The summer holidays are just around the corner in Europe, but some big stars still have crucial international assignments in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying before they can think about unwinding.

Who’ve been the stars of 2010/11?

Wed, 18 May 2011 10:09:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know which players have impressed you the most during the 2010/11 season across Europe.

Sendai go top, Yokohama third

Tue, 03 May 2011 11:28:00 GMT

Vegalta Sendai edged Avispa Fukuoka to go top of the J.League, while Yokohama Marinos won away to move third. Elsewhere, Albirex Niigata, Kawasaki Frontale and Hiroshima tasted victory.

Resurgent Israel sink Georgians

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:23:00 GMT

Substitute Tal Ben Haim scored the only goal as resurgent Israel saw off Georgia in a UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier in Tel Aviv to move them into third place in Group F.

Israel target vital win

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:08:00 GMT

Luis Fernandez is targeting a vital victory over a visiting Georgia side to keep Israel's UEFA EURO 2012 qualification hopes on track, with three points keeping them hot in touch with Group F leaders Greece.

EURO action trumps friendly mix

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the 34 internationals being played on Tuesday, ten of which are qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2012 and the rest friendlies, with the England-Ghana clash topping the bill.

EURO big guns closer to qualification

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 23:59:00 GMT

England and Germany stepped closer to UEFA EURO 2012 qualification with wins, while pressure mounted in Group B as Russia, Slovakia and the Repulic of Ireland moved into a three-way tie at the top.

Georgia trumps Croatia's confidence

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:00:00 GMT

A last-gasp strike from Levan Kobiashvili lifted Georgia to a 1-0 win over Croatia, moving the team within a point of their opponent atop UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group F.

Croatia confident, Greece poised

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:58:00 GMT

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has bullish in his assertion that his side can be victorious away at Georgia, but should they slip-up Greece can overtake them at the top of Group F with a win in Malta.

Ketsbaia’s Georgia on the up

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:45:00 GMT

For the first time since November 2008, Georgia have rejoined the top 100 in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. FIFA.com takes a closer look at the Jvarosnebi’s current form.

Stunning goal denies Georgia

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:53:00 GMT

An acrobatic stoppage-time equaliser earned Latvia a point against Georgia, who were denied the three points but remain unbeaten in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group F.

Santos: Greece are 'on track'

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:15:00 GMT

Greece are improving game by game according to coach Fernando Santos, who was pleased with his side's 1-0 win over Latvia and is now preparing for the visit of Israel in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group F.

Georgia leave it late against Malta

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:55:00 GMT

Georgia won their first competitive home match for three years but needed a goal in injury time to beat Malta, taking them to five points from three games in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying.

Iashvili: We're not satisfied

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:03:00 GMT

Experienced forward Alexander Iashvili spoke to FIFA.com about Georgia’s start to UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying, their need to take six points from their forthcoming two games and chances of progressing from Group F.

Stalemate for Georgia and Israel

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:34:00 GMT

Israel and Georgia maintained their unbeaten starts to UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group F with a goalless draw in Tbilisi.

Modric in line for Croatia return

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:19:00 GMT

Luka Modric could start Croatia's UEFA European Championship qualifier against Greece.

Hungry minnows eye EURO upsets

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 08:25:00 GMT

Friday's batch of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers generally went as expected, but there are some tricky tests lying in wait for the continent's giants on Tuesday evening.

Greece consolidate top spot, Wales win again

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:21:00 GMT

Greece consolidated their position at the top of Group Nine of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying, as Wales edged out Hungary in Group Three.

Bilic, Kranjcar eye six early points

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:51:00 GMT

Croatia need to begin their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign by beating both Latvia and Greece, according to coach Slaven Bilic and playmaker Niko Kranjcar.

Kobiashvili: The group will be close

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:07:00 GMT

Georgia’s most-capped player, Levan Kobiashvili, has spoken exclusively to FIFA.com about his targets in the German capital, his future, and the forthcoming UEFA EURO qualifying campaign.

Kaladze joins Genoa

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:41:00 GMT

Genoa have signed 32-year-old Georgia captain Kakha Kaladze on a permanent deal from AC Milan, where he spent nine seasons.

A host of champions

Mon, 17 May 2010 09:21:00 GMT

While Europe's big five leagues dominate the headlines, there has been ample drama elsewhere on the continent as championships were decided.

FIFA offers Kumaritaschwili tribute

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:29:00 GMT

Joseph S. Blatter, on behalf of the world football family, has expressed condolences over the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.

Hertha snap up Kobiashvili

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:04:00 GMT

Hertha Berlin have announced another major January signing, adding Schalke's Levan Kobiashvili to Bayer Leverkusen's Theofanis Gekas.

Ketsbaia given Georgia job

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:27:00 GMT

Temuri Ketsbaia has been appointed head coach of the Georgia national team following the departure of Hector Cuper earlier this week.

Berbatov treble helps Bulgaria cruise

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:48:00 GMT

Bulgaria ended their campaign with a 6-2 victory over Group 8 tailenders Georgia in Vaduz, with star man Dimitar Berbatov scoring a hat-trick.

Unconvincing, but ominous Italy

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:57:00 GMT

Italy have qualified for South Africa 2010 and will start the competition amongst the favourites, but this was far from a comfortable cruise to the finals.

European quartet stamp tickets

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Italy, Germany, Denmark and Serbia all sealed their places at South Africa 2010 with positive results during Saturday's nervy round of qualifiers.

Debutant Delibasic propels Montenegro

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:56:00 GMT

Andrija Delibasic scored the winner on his debut as Montenegro earned their maiden South Africa 2010 qualifying triumph with a defeat of Georgia.

Olympiacos sack Ketsbaia

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:56:00 GMT

Olympiacos have dismissed Temuri Ketsbaia, who only assumed their reins in May, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League opener against AZ.

Keane eyeing Italian showdown

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:35:00 GMT

With Ireland and Italy battling fiercely for first place in Group 8, Republic striker Robbie Keane has already turned his focus to 10 October's vital qualifier in Dublin.

Swedes surge as France flounder

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:32:00 GMT

Sweden gave some much-needed impetus to their qualification hopes with a win over Hungary, while France could only draw with Romania at home.

Italy revel in Kaladze nightmare

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:28:00 GMT

AC Milan centre-half Kakha Kaladze scored an own-goal as Italy beat Georgia 2-0 in a dramatic 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier.

Big names face decisive duels

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:06:00 GMT

Portugal, Sweden, France and Czech Republic are all under pressure to claim maximum points as they limber up for vital FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ronaldo faces World Cup heartbreak

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:41:00 GMT

A massive week of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches loom in Europe with Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team facing the prospect of elimination.