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{{outdated|date=February 2016}}
{{noref|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox football club |
{{Infobox football club |
clubname = Merani Martvili|
clubname = Merani Martvili|
image = FC Merani Martvili.jpg|
image = FC Merani Martvili logo.png|
upright = 0.7|
upright = 0.7|
fullname = Football Club Merani Martvili |
fullname = Football Club Merani Martvili |
nickname = |
nickname = |
founded = 1955 |
founded = 2006 |
ground = [[Municipal Stadium (Martvili)|Municipal Stadium]]<br>[[Martvili]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]|
ground = Murtaz Khurtsilava stadium<br>[[Martvili]]|
capacity = 2,000|
capacity = 1,850|
chairman = |
chairman = |
manager = [[Volodymyr Lobas]]|
manager = Jesi Surmava|
league = [[Erovnuli Liga 2]] |
league = [[Erovnuli Liga 2]] |
season = [[2017 Erovnuli Liga 2|2017]] |
season = [[2024 Liga 3 (Georgia)|2024]] |
position = 2nd |
position = 3rd of 16 in Liga 3 (promoted) |
website = {{url|http://fcmerani.ge/}}
pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=_redwhiteleftsash|pattern_ra1=|

| pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=_redwhiteleftsash|pattern_ra1=|
leftarm1=ff0000|body1=ffffff|rightarm1=ff0000|shorts1=ff0000|socks1=FF0000|
leftarm1=ff0000|body1=ffffff|rightarm1=ff0000|shorts1=ff0000|socks1=FF0000|
| pattern_la2 =
| pattern_b2 = _whitestripes
| pattern_ra2 =
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}}


'''FC Merani Martvili''' is a [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] [[association football]] club based in [[Martvili]].
'''FC Merani Martvili''' is a [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] [[association football]] club based in [[Martvili]]. Following the [[2024 Liga 3 (Georgia)|2024 season]], they earned promotion to [[Erovnuli Liga 2]], the 2nd division of [[Football in Georgia (country)|Georgian football]].

Being one of the youngest clubs, Merani have spent five seasons in the top division and once reached the final of the [[David Kipiani Cup]].


==History==
==History==
The club has previously been called '''Salkhino Gegechkori''' (soviet times), '''Chkondidi Martvili''' and '''Salkhino Martvili''' in recent seasons.
Football clubs from Martvili have previously been called '''Salkhino Gegechkori''' (Soviet times), '''Chkondidi Martvili''' and '''Salkhino Martvili'''.

'''FC Merani''' was founded by Georgian ex-minister of communications [[Fridon Injia]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=საფეხბურთო კლუბი მარტვილის "მერანი" |url=http://fcmerani.ge/?menuid=12&lang=1 |website=fcmerani.ge (in Georgian)}}</ref>

In their first season in [[Pirveli Liga 2007-08|Pirveli liga]] under head coach Malkhaz Zhvania, Merani came 3rd and until the promotion to [[Umaglesi Liga]] in 2011/12 they stayed among the top five clubs.

In 2010, Merani became a first II league club to play in [[David Kipiani Cup]] semifinals where they lost 1–2 on aggregate to [[WIT Georgia]], the Cup winners of [[Georgian Cup 2009-10|the season]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Georgian Cup 2009-10 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/georgia/david-kipiani-cup/2009-2010/s3771/final-stages/ |website=soccerway.com}}</ref> The next year Merani successfully completed their season and as a second-placed team gained promotion to the top flight.
During the next five seasons in Umaglesi Liga Merani achieved the best result in their first year when they came 5th during the regular season and earned a place in the championship round. In other cases, the club was mostly involved in relegation battles.

In 2015/16, Merani were relegated. In the same year, they managed to reach the Cup final after having eliminated [[Dila Gori|Dila]], [[FC Kolkheti Poti| Kolkheti 1913]] and [[Chikhura Sachkhere|Chikhura]] in previous rounds, but in the title-deciding game held in [[David Abashidze Stadium|Zestafoni]] the team was beaten by [[Torpedo Kutaisi]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ტორპედო საქართველოს თასის მფლობელია |url=https://www.kutaisipost.ge/ka/akhali-ambebi/article/5789-qtorpedoq-saqarthvelos-thasis-mflobelia |website=kutaisipost.ge (in Georgian)}}</ref>

Merani came close back to Erovnuli Liga in 2017, although they were unable to beat [[Kolkheti 1913 Poti|Kolkheti 1913]] in [[Erovnuli Liga playoffs|promotion play-offs]].
At the end of the next season Merani lost the last two league games and surprisingly finished at the bottom of the table, which implied an automatic relegation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pirveli liga 2018 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/georgia/pirveli-liga/2018/regular-season/r45331/ |website=soccerway.com}}</ref> After one year spent in [[Liga 3 (Georgia)|Liga 3]] though they returned to the second division.

In early 2021, Pridon Injia quit the club and Jesi Surmava, the head of Martvili Football School, took over the management, which resulted in major changes among both staff and squad members.<ref>{{cite web |title=ჯესი სურმავა: "მერანის" გადმოცემის პროცესი ნამდვილად მიმდინარეობს |url=https://1tv.ge/news/jesi-surmava-meranisgadmocemis-procesi-namdvilad-mimdinareobs/ |website=1tv.ge (in Georgian)}}</ref> 27 year-old head coach Tsotne Moniava in his first year in charge of a professional club was named the Manager of Round IV (October–December) after guiding Merani to the bronze medals and promotion playoffs. Besides, Merani's two players were included in the symbolic team.<ref>{{cite web |title=ეროვნული ლიგა 2-ის მეოთხე წრის საუკეთესო ფეხბურთელი, მწვრთნელი და სიმბოლური გუნდი |url=https://www.vbetnews.com/ge/erovnuli-liga-2-is-me-4-tsris-sauketeso-pekhburteli-mtsvrtneli-da-simboluri-gundi-poto/ |website=vbetnews.com (in Georgian)}}</ref> Despite a two-goal advantage achieved at home after the first game against [[FC Torpedo Kutaisi|Torpedo Kutaisi]], the club suffered a heart-breaking extra-time defeat during a dramatic and action-packed return leg.<ref>{{cite web |title=ქუთაისის "ტორპედომ" მარტვილის "მერანი" დაამარცხა და ლიგაში ადგილი შეინარჩუნა|url=https://infoimereti.ge/%E1%83%A5%E1%83%A3%E1%83%97%E1%83%90%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%A2%E1%83%9D%E1%83%A0%E1%83%9E%E1%83%94%E1%83%93%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9B-%E1%83%9B%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A2%E1%83%95/ |website=infoimereti.ge (in Georgian) |date=12 December 2021}}</ref>


Two years later, Merani suffered an automatic relegation, although after a [[2024 Liga 3 (Georgia)|single season]] in Liga 3 snatched a last-gasp aggregate play-off victory over [[SFC Shturmi|Shturmi]] to seal promotion back to the 2nd division.<ref>{{cite web |title=Merani vs Shturmi match report |url=https://erovnuliliga.ge/ge/game/8260-mer-shtr |website=eliga.ge (in Georgian) |access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref>
In 2010 the club reached semifinal of the Georgian cup.


==Seasons==
==Seasons==
:{|class="wikitable"
:{|class="wikitable"
|-bgcolor="#efefef"
! Season
! Season
! League
! Div.
! Pos.
! Pos.
! Pl.
! Pl.
Line 40: Line 65:
! P
! P
![[Georgian Cup|Cup]]
![[Georgian Cup|Cup]]
! Europe
!Notes
!Notes
!Manager
|-
|-
|[[2007–08 Pirveli Liga|2007–08]]
|[[2007–08 Pirveli Liga|2007/08]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|[[Pirveli Liga]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|bgcolor=cc9966 align=right|'''3'''
|bgcolor=cc9966 align=right|'''3'''
|align=right|27||align=right|13||align=right|5||align=right|9
|align=right|27||align=right|13||align=right|5||align=right|9
|align=right|36||align=right|25||align=right|'''44'''
|align=right|36||align=right|25||align=right|'''44'''
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|[[2008–09 Pirveli Liga|2008–09]]
|[[2008–09 Pirveli Liga|2008/09]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|[[Pirveli Liga]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|bgcolor=cc9966 align=right|'''3'''
|bgcolor=cc9966 align=right|'''3'''
|align=right|30||align=right|18||align=right|6||align=right|6
|align=right|30||align=right|18||align=right|6||align=right|6
|align=right|45||align=right|24||align=right|'''60'''
|align=right|45||align=right|24||align=right|'''60'''
|Quarter-finals
|Quarter-finals
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|[[2009–10 Pirveli Liga|2009–10]]
|[[2009–10 Pirveli Liga|2009/10]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|[[Pirveli Liga]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|bgcolor=cc9966 align=right|'''3'''
|bgcolor=cc9966 align=right|'''3'''
|align=right|28||align=right|17||align=right|2||align=right|9
|align=right|28||align=right|17||align=right|2||align=right|9
|align=right|44||align=right|31||align=right|'''53'''
|align=right|44||align=right|31||align=right|'''53'''
|bgcolor=cc9966|Semi-finals
|bgcolor=cc9966|Semi-finals
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|[[2010–11 Pirveli Liga|2010–11]]
|[[2010–11 Pirveli Liga|2010/11]]
| bgcolor=#ffa07a|[[Pirveli Liga]]
| bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|align=right bgcolor=silver|'''2'''
|align=right bgcolor=silver|'''2'''
|align=right|32||align=right|22||align=right|7||align=right|3
|align=right|32||align=right|22||align=right|7||align=right|3
|align=right|60||align=right|15||align=right|'''73'''
|align=right|60||align=right|15||align=right|'''73'''
|Round of 16
|Round of 16
|
|Promoted
|Promoted
|
|-
|-
|[[2011–12 Umaglesi Liga|2011–12]]
|[[2011–12 Umaglesi Liga|2011/12]]
|1st
|[[Umaglesi Liga]]
|align=right| '''8'''
|align=right| '''8'''
|align=right|28 ||align=right|6 ||align=right|3 ||align=right| 19
|align=right|28 ||align=right|6 ||align=right|3 ||align=right| 19
Line 91: Line 106:
|Quarter-finals
|Quarter-finals
|
|
|
|-
|[[2012–13 Umaglesi Liga|2012/13]]
|
|1st
|align=right| '''8'''
|align=right|22 ||align=right|7 ||align=right| 2 ||align=right|13
|align=right|23 ||align=right|36 ||align=right|'''23'''
|Round of 32
|Relegation group
|-
|-
|[[2012–13 Umaglesi Liga|2012–13]]
|[[2013–14 Umaglesi Liga|2013/14]]
|1st
|[[Umaglesi Liga]]
|align=right|
|align=right|'''12'''
|align=right| ||align=right| ||align=right| ||align=right|
|align=right|22 ||align=right|4 ||align=right|3 ||align=right|15
|align=right| ||align=right| ||align=right|
|align=right|16 ||align=right|41 ||align=right|'''15'''
|Round of 8
|
|Relegation group
|
|-
|[[2014-15 Umaglesi Liga|2014/15]]
|1st
|align=right|'''11'''
|align=right|30 ||align=right|9 ||align=right|9 ||align=right|12
|align=right|29 ||align=right|33 ||align=right|'''36'''
|Round of 16
|
|
|-
|[[2015–16 Umaglesi Liga|2015/16]]
|1st
|align=right|'''15'''
|align=right|30 ||align=right|5 ||align=right|8 ||align=right|17
|align=right|28 ||align=right|62 ||align=right|'''23'''
|Round of 32
|Relegated
|-
|[[2016 Pirveli Liga|2016]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|align=right|'''4'''
|align=right|16 ||align=right|9 ||align=right|5 ||align=right|2
|align=right|31 ||align=right|11 ||align=right|'''26'''
|align=left bgcolor=silver|Runner-up
|Relegation play-off, won
|-
|[[2017 Erovnuli Liga 2|2017]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|align=right bgcolor=silver|'''2'''
|align=right|36 ||align=right|24 ||align=right|8 ||align=right|4
|align=right|67 ||align=right|16 ||align=right|'''80'''
|Round of 8
|Promotion play-off, lost{{efn|Lost 4–3 on aggregate to [[FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti|Kolkheti 1913]] in Liga 1/2 playoffs}}
|-
|[[2018 Erovnuli Liga 2|2018]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|align=right|'''10'''
|align=right|36 ||align=right|8 ||align=right|12 ||align=right|16
|align=right|36 ||align=right|47||align=right|'''36'''
|Round of 16
|Relegated
|-
|[[2019 Liga 3 (Georgia)|2019]]
|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd
|align=right bgcolor=#FFFACD"|'''1'''
|align=right|36 ||align=right|26 ||align=right|4 ||align=right|6
|align=right|78 ||align=right|24 ||align=right|'''82'''
|Round of 8
|Promoted
|-
|[[2020 Erovnuli Liga 2|2020]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|align=right|'''8'''
|align=right|18 ||align=right|6 ||align=right|6 ||align=right|6
|align=right|23 ||align=right|20 ||align=right|'''30'''
|Round of 32
|Relegation play-off, won{{efn|Defeated [[FC Gori|Gori]] 3–1 on aggregate in Liga 2/3 playoffs}}
|-
|[[2021 Erovnuli Liga 2|2021]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|align=right bgcolor=cc9966|'''3'''
|align=right|36 ||align=right|19 ||align=right|7 ||align=right|10
|align=right|65 ||align=right|44 ||align=right|'''64'''
|Round of 16
|Promotion play-off, lost{{efn|Lost to [[FC Torpedo Kutaisi|Torpedo]] 3–2 on aggregate in Liga 1/2 playoffs}}
|-
|[[2022 Erovnuli Liga 2|2022]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|align=right|'''4'''
|align=right|28 ||align=right|12 ||align=right|6 ||align=right|10
|align=right|55 ||align=right|53 ||align=right|'''42'''
|Round of 16
|
|
|-
|[[2023 Erovnuli Liga 2|2023]]
|bgcolor=#ffa07a|2nd
|align=right|'''9'''
|align=right|36 ||align=right|6 ||align=right|8 ||align=right|22
|align=right|34 ||align=right|84 ||align=right|'''26'''
|Round of 32
|Relegated
|-
|[[2024 Liga 3 (Georgia)|2024]]
|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd
|align=right bgcolor=cc9966|'''3'''
|align=right|30 ||align=right|17 ||align=right|7 ||align=right|6
|align=right|60 ||align=right|30 ||align=right|'''58'''
|2nd round
|Promotion play-off, won{{efn|Beat [[SFC Shturmi|Shturmi]] 2–1 on aggregate in Liga 2/3 playoffs}}
|}
|}
{{noteslist}}
==Current squad==
''As of 16 March 2024''<ref>{{cite web |title=Merani players |url=https://us.soccerway.com/teams/georgia/fc-merani-martvili/13765/ |website=soccerway.com}}</ref>


===Current squad===
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no= 1|nat=Georgia|pos=GK|name=[[Zurab Mamaladze]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 1|nat=Uzbekistan|pos=GK|name=[[Akrom Khojaev]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 2|nat=Russia|pos=GK|name=[[Petr Sevostyanenko]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 2|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Giorgi Gvasalia]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 3|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Giorgi Gegia]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 3|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Aleksandre Abuladze]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 4|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Vasil Gogolidze]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 4|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=Giorgi Oniani}}
{{Fs player|no= 7|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Kachi Meliava]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 6|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Roin Chkhaidze]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 8|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Sergi Orbeladze]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 7|nat=Uzbekistan|pos=FW|name=[[Javokhir Esankulov]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 9|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Mikheil Rukhaia]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 8|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Luka Kadaria]]}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Irakli Tsitskhvaia]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 9|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Irakli Pipia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Giorgi Tsimakuridze]]}}
{{Fs player|no= 10|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Rati Tsatskrialashvili]]}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Zaur Goguadze]]}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=Georgia|pos=FW|name=[[Erasto Smirnovi]]}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Lasha Jghamaia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Giorgi Gadrani]]}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Ivane Khabelashvili]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=Ukraine|pos=MF|name=[[Akaki Tskarozia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Saba Tsulaia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Nodar Kiknavelidze]]}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Davit Khorava]]}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Alexander Shengelia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Tamaz Sharvashidze]]}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=Nigeria|pos=MF|name=[[Benjamin Opeyemi Teidi]]}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=Georgia|pos=FW|name=[[Andro Jolokhava]]}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=Georgia|pos=MF|name=[[Imeda Ashortia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=Russia|pos=MF|name=[[Renat Gagity]]}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=Georgia|pos=FW|name=[[Besik Chimakadze]]}}
{{Fs player|no=31|nat=Georgia|pos=GK|name=[[Davit Asatiani]]}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=Georgia|pos=FW|name=[[Shota Jikia]]}}
{{Fs player|no=32|nat=Georgia|pos=GK|name=[[Aleksandre Chikhadze]]}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=Georgia|pos=FW|name=[[ Sabanadze]]}}
{{Fs player|no=33 |nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Bakar Laghadze]]}} [[Captain (association football)|(Captain)]]
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=Georgia|pos=FW|name=[[Jaba Ugulava]]}}
{{Fs player|no=35|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Lasha Chaladze]]}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=Ukraine|pos=FW|name=[[Serhiy Tretyak (footballer, born 1984)|Serhiy Tretyak]]}}
{{Fs player|no=40|nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Lasha Oniani]]}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=Ukraine|pos=FW|name=[[Taras Puchkovskyi]]}}
{{Fs player|no= |nat=Georgia|pos=DF|name=[[Papuna Mosemgvdlishvili]]}}
{{Fs end}}
{{Fs end}}

==Other teams==
Merani also have a reserve team, which as Merani-2 competes in [[Liga 4 (Georgia)|Liga 4]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Liga 4, 2021 |url=http://liga.gff.ge/?season=18&league=15 |website=gff.ge}}</ref>

==Stadium==
Merani plays home matches at [[Murtaz Khurtsilava]] stadium, which has the capacity of 1,850 seats.

In February 2017 this arena hosted the Georgian Super Cup game.<ref>{{cite web |title=სად ჩატარდება საქართველოს სუპერთასის მატჩი |url=https://goal.ge/news/61014-sad-chatardeba-saqartvelos-supertasis-matchi.html |website=goal.ge (in Georgian)}}</ref>


==Honours==
==Honours==
*'''[[Pirveli Liga]]'''
*'''[[Pirveli Liga]]'''
** '''Silver Medal winner''': 2011
** '''Silver Medal winner''': 2010–11, [[2017 Erovnuli Liga 2|2017]]
** '''Bronze Medal winner''': [[2007–08 Pirveli Liga|2007–08]], [[2008–09 Pirveli Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 Pirveli Liga|200–10]], [[2021 Erovnuli Liga 2|2021]]
** '''Bronze Medal winner''': 2008, 2009, 2010
* [[Georgian Cup|'''David Kipiani Cup''']]

** ''Runners-up'': [[2016 Georgian Cup|2016]]
==Managers==
*{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Malkhaz Zhvania]] (July 1, 2007–Oct 7, 2013)
*{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Zurab Ionanidze]] (2014–)


==Name==
''Merani'' is a Georgian word for ''[[pegasus]]''.
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.fcmerani.ge/ Official website]
*[http://www.fcmerani.ge/ Official website]
*[https://www.facebook.com/fcmerani Official Facebook page]
*[https://us.soccerway.com/teams/georgia/fc-merani-martvili/13765/ Profile on Soccerway]
*[https://www.flashscore.ge/team/merani-martvili/fZPFoFUD/results/ FC Merani Martvili Results]


== References ==
{{Erovnuli Liga 2 teamlist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{erovnuli Liga 2 teamlist}}
{{Erovnuli Liga teamlist}}
{{Erovnuli Liga teamlist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Fc Merani Martvili}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fc Merani Martvili}}
[[Category:Football clubs in Georgia (country)|Merani Martvili]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Georgia (country)|Merani Martvili]]

{{Georgia-footyclub-stub}}

Latest revision as of 06:37, 19 December 2024

Merani Martvili
Full nameFootball Club Merani Martvili
Founded2006
GroundMurtaz Khurtsilava stadium
Martvili
Capacity1,850
ManagerJesi Surmava
LeagueErovnuli Liga 2
20243rd of 16 in Liga 3 (promoted)
Websitefcmerani.ge

FC Merani Martvili is a Georgian association football club based in Martvili. Following the 2024 season, they earned promotion to Erovnuli Liga 2, the 2nd division of Georgian football.

Being one of the youngest clubs, Merani have spent five seasons in the top division and once reached the final of the David Kipiani Cup.

History

[edit]

Football clubs from Martvili have previously been called Salkhino Gegechkori (Soviet times), Chkondidi Martvili and Salkhino Martvili.

FC Merani was founded by Georgian ex-minister of communications Fridon Injia in 2006.[1]

In their first season in Pirveli liga under head coach Malkhaz Zhvania, Merani came 3rd and until the promotion to Umaglesi Liga in 2011/12 they stayed among the top five clubs.

In 2010, Merani became a first II league club to play in David Kipiani Cup semifinals where they lost 1–2 on aggregate to WIT Georgia, the Cup winners of the season.[2] The next year Merani successfully completed their season and as a second-placed team gained promotion to the top flight.

During the next five seasons in Umaglesi Liga Merani achieved the best result in their first year when they came 5th during the regular season and earned a place in the championship round. In other cases, the club was mostly involved in relegation battles.

In 2015/16, Merani were relegated. In the same year, they managed to reach the Cup final after having eliminated Dila, Kolkheti 1913 and Chikhura in previous rounds, but in the title-deciding game held in Zestafoni the team was beaten by Torpedo Kutaisi.[3]

Merani came close back to Erovnuli Liga in 2017, although they were unable to beat Kolkheti 1913 in promotion play-offs.

At the end of the next season Merani lost the last two league games and surprisingly finished at the bottom of the table, which implied an automatic relegation.[4] After one year spent in Liga 3 though they returned to the second division.

In early 2021, Pridon Injia quit the club and Jesi Surmava, the head of Martvili Football School, took over the management, which resulted in major changes among both staff and squad members.[5] 27 year-old head coach Tsotne Moniava in his first year in charge of a professional club was named the Manager of Round IV (October–December) after guiding Merani to the bronze medals and promotion playoffs. Besides, Merani's two players were included in the symbolic team.[6] Despite a two-goal advantage achieved at home after the first game against Torpedo Kutaisi, the club suffered a heart-breaking extra-time defeat during a dramatic and action-packed return leg.[7]

Two years later, Merani suffered an automatic relegation, although after a single season in Liga 3 snatched a last-gasp aggregate play-off victory over Shturmi to seal promotion back to the 2nd division.[8]

Seasons

[edit]
Season Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GF GA P Cup Notes
2007/08 2nd 3 27 13 5 9 36 25 44
2008/09 2nd 3 30 18 6 6 45 24 60 Quarter-finals
2009/10 2nd 3 28 17 2 9 44 31 53 Semi-finals
2010/11 2nd 2 32 22 7 3 60 15 73 Round of 16 Promoted
2011/12 1st 8 28 6 3 19 31 55 21 Quarter-finals
2012/13 1st 8 22 7 2 13 23 36 23 Round of 32 Relegation group
2013/14 1st 12 22 4 3 15 16 41 15 Round of 8 Relegation group
2014/15 1st 11 30 9 9 12 29 33 36 Round of 16
2015/16 1st 15 30 5 8 17 28 62 23 Round of 32 Relegated
2016 2nd 4 16 9 5 2 31 11 26 Runner-up Relegation play-off, won
2017 2nd 2 36 24 8 4 67 16 80 Round of 8 Promotion play-off, lost[a]
2018 2nd 10 36 8 12 16 36 47 36 Round of 16 Relegated
2019 3rd 1 36 26 4 6 78 24 82 Round of 8 Promoted
2020 2nd 8 18 6 6 6 23 20 30 Round of 32 Relegation play-off, won[b]
2021 2nd 3 36 19 7 10 65 44 64 Round of 16 Promotion play-off, lost[c]
2022 2nd 4 28 12 6 10 55 53 42 Round of 16
2023 2nd 9 36 6 8 22 34 84 26 Round of 32 Relegated
2024 3rd 3 30 17 7 6 60 30 58 2nd round Promotion play-off, won[d]
  1. ^ Lost 4–3 on aggregate to Kolkheti 1913 in Liga 1/2 playoffs
  2. ^ Defeated Gori 3–1 on aggregate in Liga 2/3 playoffs
  3. ^ Lost to Torpedo 3–2 on aggregate in Liga 1/2 playoffs
  4. ^ Beat Shturmi 2–1 on aggregate in Liga 2/3 playoffs

Current squad

[edit]

As of 16 March 2024[9]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Uzbekistan UZB Akrom Khojaev
2 MF Georgia (country) GEO Giorgi Gvasalia
3 DF Georgia (country) GEO Aleksandre Abuladze
4 DF Georgia (country) GEO Giorgi Oniani
6 DF Georgia (country) GEO Roin Chkhaidze
7 FW Uzbekistan UZB Javokhir Esankulov
8 MF Georgia (country) GEO Luka Kadaria
9 MF Georgia (country) GEO Irakli Pipia
10 MF Georgia (country) GEO Rati Tsatskrialashvili
11 FW Georgia (country) GEO Erasto Smirnovi
17 MF Georgia (country) GEO Giorgi Gadrani
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF Georgia (country) GEO Saba Tsulaia
19 DF Georgia (country) GEO Davit Khorava
20 MF Georgia (country) GEO Tamaz Sharvashidze
27 FW Georgia (country) GEO Andro Jolokhava
30 MF Russia RUS Renat Gagity
31 GK Georgia (country) GEO Davit Asatiani
32 GK Georgia (country) GEO Aleksandre Chikhadze
33 DF Georgia (country) GEO Bakar Laghadze (Captain)
35 DF Georgia (country) GEO Lasha Chaladze
40 DF Georgia (country) GEO Lasha Oniani

Other teams

[edit]

Merani also have a reserve team, which as Merani-2 competes in Liga 4.[10]

Stadium

[edit]

Merani plays home matches at Murtaz Khurtsilava stadium, which has the capacity of 1,850 seats.

In February 2017 this arena hosted the Georgian Super Cup game.[11]

Honours

[edit]

Name

[edit]

Merani is a Georgian word for pegasus.

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "საფეხბურთო კლუბი მარტვილის "მერანი"". fcmerani.ge (in Georgian).
  2. ^ "Georgian Cup 2009-10". soccerway.com.
  3. ^ "ტორპედო საქართველოს თასის მფლობელია". kutaisipost.ge (in Georgian).
  4. ^ "Pirveli liga 2018". soccerway.com.
  5. ^ "ჯესი სურმავა: "მერანის" გადმოცემის პროცესი ნამდვილად მიმდინარეობს". 1tv.ge (in Georgian).
  6. ^ "ეროვნული ლიგა 2-ის მეოთხე წრის საუკეთესო ფეხბურთელი, მწვრთნელი და სიმბოლური გუნდი". vbetnews.com (in Georgian).
  7. ^ "ქუთაისის "ტორპედომ" მარტვილის "მერანი" დაამარცხა და ლიგაში ადგილი შეინარჩუნა". infoimereti.ge (in Georgian). 12 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Merani vs Shturmi match report". eliga.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Merani players". soccerway.com.
  10. ^ "Liga 4, 2021". gff.ge.
  11. ^ "სად ჩატარდება საქართველოს სუპერთასის მატჩი". goal.ge (in Georgian).
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