Ameri cap season with cup joy

FC Ameri Tbilisi claimed a UEFA Cup place in their debut season in the top flight as they won the Georgian Cup with a penalties victory against FC Zestaponi.

Shoot-out hero
The club, who were founded four years ago and finished seventh in the First Division, handed Zestaponi their second successive cup final defeat after the match had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes. Veteran goalkeeper Zurab Kvachakhia was the Ameri hero, saving twice in the shoot-out to seal victory.
Four-goal thriller
Ameri had led thanks to Suliko Davitashvili's early strike, but Zestaponi levelled through Zurab Ionanidze on the half-hour. The underdogs regained the initiative after the break when Rati Tsinadzgvrishvili headed in Davitashvili's cross, although they were pegged back once more when defender Shalva Gongadze latched on to a set-piece to score in the closing seconds. Zestaponi's resilience was finally broken by the inspirational Kvachakhia, however, his stop from opposite number Gia Chanturia proving decisive.