Barça Legends game in Georgia hotly anticipated
Tomorrow Barça Legends are set to play Geo 11, a side made up of former Georgian players, at the 54,000 capacity Dinamo Arena (Tbilisi). Kick off is on Friday at 7.00pm (5.00pm in Barcelona) and it will be shown live on Barça One, with a significant turnout to see Albert Ferrer's men in action expected. This is actually the same venue where Barça were crowned European Super Cup champions for the fifth time, when they defeated Sevilla 5-4 in extra time, Messi (2), Rafinha, Luis Suárez and Pedro scoring the goals.
The pre-match press conference featured Javier Saviola and Jari Litmanen fielding questions from the 100-plus journalists in attendance. The blaugranes expressed their thanks for how nice the fans have been in Georgia, and assured that those coming to the game will have a good time and enjoy the game on offer. Local legends in Shota Arveladze and Kakha Kaladze both concurred that it is a unique occasion to see a team and players who remain true to the playing style that has made Barça known worldwide.
Palpable excitement at the Barça Store Georgia
Press conference over, Javier Saviola, Jari Litmanen, Gerard López and Albert Ferrer all headed to the Barça Store the Club recently opened in the country. Over 800 people were waiting to greet the players and create some memories with the blaugrana players, who spent a hour signing autographs and taking pictures with FC Barcelona fans in Georgia. Many of them had queued since 7am in the constant rain to ensure their spot so they could enter the store and spend some time with their idols.
In the afternoon the blaugranes headed off to the ground where the game will take place tomorrow for a light training session in the rain. This was followed by a clinic for around twenty boys and girls who received a master class from professional football players.
Quality squad
The full squad named by "Chapi" Ferrer to play against the Geo 11 is Jesús Angoy, Jordi Masip (set to make his debut), Samuel Okunowo, Sergi Barjuan, Marc Valiente, Philippe Christanval, Frédéric Déhu, Fernando Navarro, Phillip Cocu, Gerard López, Jari Litmanen, Edgar Davids, José Edmílson, Ludovic Giuly, Jonatan Soriano, Javier Saviola and Ronaldinho.