Georgia game at risk?

**pineapple stu** · 19/08/2008, 12:48 PM

It's on the FIFA press release. It's linked in on the main game thread.

**The Bit O'Red** · 19/08/2008, 12:55 PM

Got it, thanks Stu......

"The Georgian Football Federation has until August 26 2008 to nominate a neutral venue to host the qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, which will take place on the scheduled date of September 6 2008. The Georgian Football Federation will serve as the host association for this match."

**Newryrep** · 19/08/2008, 12:59 PM

worst scenario - extra cost of flights to Gods knows where and lose money on Riga-Tbilisi

Best scenario - there is none, cant change routes for E50, unlikely to get money back because it is an act of war/only got insurance recently as I went for multitrip starting 22-08-08

More money either way.

**gspain** · 19/08/2008, 1:10 PM

Disaster.

Looks like we'll lose our flights and pay through the nose to get to the game now.

I appreciate this is minor compared to people who have lost their lives in Georgia recently but still bad news for us.

**Duggie** · 19/08/2008, 1:12 PM

bad news for supporters but good for our chances of winning the game.

**The Bit O'Red** · 19/08/2008, 1:14 PM

Originally Posted by paulie_walnuts

I'll guess Cyprus.

Nah, it won't be Cyprus, they're playing at home themselves that day.

The turks are away though.

**paul_oshea** · 19/08/2008, 1:19 PM

lads that has to help us, i assume the atmosphere will be terrible but it has to give us a chance, georgia away was a potential banana skin, this serves us greatly, if no home fans are there plus the other big hitters will still have to go there as i assume come october things will be alright again!

**Newryrep** · 19/08/2008, 1:36 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

lads that has to help us, i assume the atmosphere will be terrible but it has to give us a chance, georgia away was a potential banana skin, this serves us greatly, if no home fans are there plus the other big hitters will still have to go there as i assume come october things will be alright again!

maybe football wise (but i wouldnt bet on it) but a fair few will be out of pocket.

You nearly wish now that things would get worse so they cancel flights and you get your money back .

. I think if we play at a neutral venue all the teams will insist on it.

**Duggie** · 19/08/2008, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by Newryrep

maybe football wise (but i wouldnt bet on it) but a fair few will be out of pocket.

You nearly wish now that things would get worse so they cancel flights and you get your money back .

. I think if we play at a neutral venue all the teams will insist on it.

no they wont - unless there's still conflict. this is great news for us football wise. georgia would have been tough at home so im delighted and id suspect so is trap and co.

**NeilMcD** · 19/08/2008, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by Reality Bites

Awful for Fans who booked Flights and accomodation but wonderful News for Trap and Team, Tbilisi could have been a real Banana Skin, now a neutral venue will most definitely give us an advantage!

Accomodation is not really worry as that can be cancelled in 99% of cases.

**NeilMcD** · 19/08/2008, 2:11 PM

Just on to VHI and they said that as long as the DFA has the warning of not to travel you will get your money back. So I am printing that out now and sending in my refund form now.

Neil

**DeNiro** · 19/08/2008, 2:12 PM

Does travel insurance not cover this sort of event? Surely, it must cover the travel not happening due to extenuating circumstances.

**gspain** · 19/08/2008, 2:15 PM

My understanding (unless the rules have changed recently) is that Georgia will now have to play all home game sin the same neutral country to avoid giving us an advantage.

It does help the team

**elroy** · 19/08/2008, 2:29 PM

This could go either way:
1: Neutral venue suits us better cos obviously not playing Georgia at home or
2: As a result of the recent conflict the team plays out of their skin for their country and give us a much tougher game than if this situation wasnt ongoing.

Dont really know the make up of the georgian team but on balance i think the neutral venue, wherever it is has to be to our benefit. Much better than the game being postponed anyways

**NeilMcD** · 19/08/2008, 2:44 PM

All I am looking for is that it is played at a venue which is as handy to get to from Riga as Tiblisi is. Riga would be perfect ha ha!!!

**Sligo Hornet** · 19/08/2008, 2:51 PM

I am still struggling to get a refund on my flights....despite the Government warning not to travel, Lufthansa say they will not refund as they are still flying into Tbilisi!!!

.....fecking germans!

**NeilMcD** · 19/08/2008, 2:52 PM

Get your refund on the travel insurance I did not even contact the airline yet.

**pineapple stu** · 19/08/2008, 2:59 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

My understanding (unless the rules have changed recently) is that Georgia will now have to play all home game sin the same neutral country to avoid giving us an advantage.

It does help the team

Georgia played Russia behind closed doors in 2004, but we played in Tbilisi. Slightly different situation, but similar at least.

**Closed Account 2** · 19/08/2008, 4:21 PM

FYI - I think Turkey are playing Armenia in Yerevan on the same day. This is a dangerous match, it's likely a sizable number of Turks will travel to the game. Turkey's border with Armenia is closed, as it the Azeri / Armenian border. The only non-air way of getting into Armenia is via Iran to the south or Georgia to the north. I'd imagine the Turkish fans will be going via Georgia if they travel to Yerevan as it's shorter and they don't have to go through the same level of visa regulations as with Iran. It could well be in Baku as that is easy to get to from Tbilisi.