Chikhura Sachkhere

Football Club Chikhura Sachkhere, commonly known as Chikhura Sachkhere or simply Chikhura, is a Georgian football club based in Sachkhere.

They currently take part in Erovnuli Liga 2, the Georgian second division.

History

Founded in 1938, during World War II the club was disbanded, but later they resumed participation in low leagues of the republican championship.

Since 2002 Chikhura has been financed by the Georgian businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The club spent many years in lower divisions before getting promoted to Umaglesi Liga in 2012. The league gained a stable and decent member, known as a tough rival for championship title candidates. From the outset the club proved they were going to challenge the best teams. In 2013 Chikhura knocked out top flight sides Shukura, Dila and Sioni and reached David Kipiani Cup final. Despite the defeat from Dinamo Tbilisi, they qualified for the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League 1st round. This was the first season that Chikhura Sachkhere appeared in European Competition with their first opponent being Liechtenstein's Cup Winners Vaduz.

From now until 2020 the club started regularly taking part in UEFA Europa league competitions, missing out just one season in between. In almost each case this provincial team with relatively negligent financial resources, which played their matches mostly in far-away Tbilisi, could afford to show a fighting spirit against their far stronger opponents. In this regard Chikhura drew attention and respect from Georgian fans during the European campaign regardless of who they supported in the domestic league. Interestingly, according to the statistics, the club achieved better results in away games.

In 2014 Chikhura eliminated Turkish club Bursaspor in the second round of Europa League competition. This remains one of the most memorable successes in the club's history.

In 2016 Chikhura won White Group of the league by finishing six points clear of Dinamo Tbilisi and took part in championship

This page also has a version in other languages :  Чихура (russian)