On March 20, 2025, Yerevan will host the first leg of the UEFA Nations League playoff match between Armenia and Georgia, with the return leg scheduled for March 23 in Tbilisi. This encounter continues a long-standing tradition of rivalries, dating back to the Soviet era when matches between "Ararat" and "Dinamo" (Tbilisi) filled stadiums and were characterized by an intensely competitive atmosphere. This was the birth of the so-called "Caucasian Derby," which remains a symbol of sporting rivalry between the two neighboring countries.
Historical Encounters Between the National Teams
Armenia and Georgia have faced each other numerous times, each match leaving a mark on football history:
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Georgia – Armenia 7:0 (1997, Friendly)
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Armenia – Georgia 1:2 (2000, Friendly Tournament in Cyprus)
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Armenia – Georgia 0:0 (2000, Friendly)
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Armenia – Georgia 2:0 (2004, Friendly Tournament in Cyprus)
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Armenia – Georgia 1:2 (2011, Friendly)
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Armenia – Georgia 2:2 (2020, Nations League)
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Georgia – Armenia 1:2 (2020, Nations League)
In their last encounter, Armenia’s goals came from Sargis Adamyan and Gevorg Ghazaryan (both have since retired from international football), while Georgia’s lone goal was scored by Valeri Qazaishvili, who is also no longer with the national team. The overall record stands at 3 wins for Georgia, 2 wins for Armenia, and 2 draws.
Several Armenian players from those past matches remain in the squad for the upcoming games: Tigran Barseghyan (who assisted three of Armenia’s four goals in 2020), Solomon Udo, Vahan Bichakhchyan, Varazdat Haroyan, Kamo Hovhannisyan, Arsen Beglaryan, and Hovhannes Hambardzumyan.
Meanwhile, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sargis Adamyan, who both previously scored against Georgia, are no longer in the squad.
For Georgia, key players still present from their 2020 matches include Giorgi Loria, Lasha Dvali, Nika Kvekveskiri, Levan Shengelia, Zuriko Davitashvili, Guram Kashia, and Otar Kakabadze.
Transfermarkt: Armenia vs Georgia 2-2 (2020)
Managerial and Player Rivalries
A major storyline in the upcoming match is the duel between the two head coaches: Armenia’s John van 't Schip and Georgia’s Willy Sagnol. Their rivalry dates back to 2021, when van 't Schip managed Greece. In the World Cup qualifiers, his team faced Sagnol’s Georgia twice – van 't Schip won the first match 2:0, while the second ended in a draw.
An interesting subplot involves Georges Mikautadze, one of Georgia’s key forwards. In 2024, Mikautadze joined Ajax, where van 't Schip was the head coach. However, the young striker struggled for game time, playing only 7 matches without scoring a goal before moving to Lyon, where he has since flourished. Mikautadze’s personal history with van 't Schip could provide him with extra motivation in the upcoming matches.
Club-Level Crossovers
The footballing paths of Armenian and Georgian players have often intertwined at the club level, adding another dimension to the rivalry.
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Vahan Bichakhchyan and Luka Lochoshvili – Both players, aged 25 and 26, started their European careers at Slovak club Žilina. Bichakhchyan arrived from Shirak in 2017, while Lochoshvili joined from Dinamo Tbilisi in 2018. While Bichakhchyan became a key player, Lochoshvili struggled to establish himself and returned to Georgia. Today, Lochoshvili plays in Serie B for Salernitana, while Bichakhchyan is a Legia Warsaw player.
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Tigran Barseghyan and Guram Kashia – Both are veteran leaders at Slovan Bratislava. However, Kashia is suspended for the Yerevan match but will be available for the return leg in Tbilisi.
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Tigran Barseghyan and Giorgi Chakvetadze – They played together for Slovan Bratislava in the 2022/23 season. Now, Chakvetadze represents Watford in the English Championship, while Barseghyan remains at Slovan, where he helped the club qualify for the Champions League group stage.
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Edgar Sevikyan and Giorgi Kochorashvili – Both started their careers at Levante's academy, playing for the reserves before making their first-team debuts in La Liga in 2020. Sevikyan later moved to Lokomotiv Moscow, while Kochorashvili remained at Levante and is now a key player leading the club’s push for promotion back to La Liga.
Additionally, in the Romanian league, Anzor Mekvabishvili (Universitatea Craiova) recently faced Artur Miranyan (Universitatea Cluj). Mekvabishvili scored his first goal in Romania, helping his team to a 3:0 victory.
Club-Level Clashes: Key Episodes
Armenian and Georgian clubs have also clashed in European competitions:
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Vahan Bichakhchyan scored a crucial goal against Dila Gori in the Europa League qualifiers, helping Shirak force extra time and eventually win on penalties. Solomon Udo, now also part of the Armenian squad, played in that match.
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Otar Kiteishvili scored for Dinamo Tbilisi against Alashkert in a European qualifier, helping Dinamo win 2:0 at home before drawing 1:1 away. Back then, Alashkert featured Artak Dashyan, and both players are expected to meet again in Yerevan. Kiteishvili could even captain Georgia in Guram Kashia’s absence.
The upcoming Armenia vs. Georgia match is more than just a game—it is a fusion of history, personal rivalries, and club connections. From the fierce Soviet-era derbies to modern tactical battles led by coaches with unsettled scores, this showdown promises to be filled with passion and unexpected twists.
Official rosters for the match
Armenia:
Georgia:
Press conference of John van't Schip before the match Armenia - Georgia