Georgian PM congratulates Dinamo Tbilisi veterans on 45th anniversary of historic triumph

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has congratulated the veteran players of FC Dinamo Tbilisi on the 45th anniversary of the club’s historic European triumph.

Kobakhidze highlighted the historic significance of Dinamo Tbilisi’s victory in the 1981 European Cup Winners’ Cup and thanked the club’s “golden generation” for their contribution to the development of Georgian football.

“13 May is a special day not only for Georgian football and Georgian sport, but for our entire country,” the Prime Minister said.

“At that time Georgia was not an independent state, yet the sense of national pride brought by 13 May was something many independent nations would have envied. Forty-five years later, the emotions remain as strong as ever when we watch the footage, the goals and the moments from that final,” he said.

Kobakhidze described the 1981 side as a lasting source of national pride and praised the team for inspiring generations of athletes across a range of sports.

“I would like to thank Dinamo’s golden generation for writing a remarkable chapter not only in football and Georgian sport, but in the history of our country,” he said.

“This victory became a special source of inspiration for many generations of athletes and footballers. Thanks to your achievement, Georgian sport continues to develop and reach new successes,” Kobakhidze added.

The Prime Minister also wished Georgian football “major victories in the future” and thanked the veteran players for the “special sense of pride” they had given the nation.