A century of football in Guria
Mertskhali was founded in Ozurgeti in 1925 and has been one of the faces of football in Guria ever since — from the Soviet Georgian championship to the top flight and the Gurian derby against Guria Lanchkhuti.
- 1925
The club is founded
A football team is formed in Ozurgeti — Mertskhali (“Swallow”). In 2025 the club celebrated its centenary.
- 1938
Into the top league
Runners-up in the second division and promotion to the top league of the Soviet Georgian championship.
- 1956
The Kolmeurne Cup
On 2 September in Tbilisi, Kolmeurne Makharadze beat Shukura Kobuleti 1–0 in the Georgian Kolmeurne Cup final and became Georgian Kolmeurne champions.
- 1958
First bronze
The club wins championship bronze medals for the first time.
- 1982
The cup and every title
On 4 September, at Dinamo Central Stadium in Tbilisi, Mertskhali Makharadze beat Zovet Tbilisi 4–1 in the Georgian Cup final. That year the team won everything there was to win.
- 1982–87
The golden era
Under team chief Bakhva Giorgadze the team collects five medals — the most remarkable period in the club’s history.
- 1987
Georgian champions
Mertskhali of Makharadze (today’s Ozurgeti) become champions of Georgia.
- 1990
First national championship
On 31 March, in front of 5,000 fans at Ozurgeti Central Stadium, Mertskhali beat Amirani Ochamchire 1–0 (Baramidze, 84').
- 1990s
In the top flight
After Georgia regained independence, Mertskhali played in the Umaglesi Liga — four seasons in the top division in total.
- 2016
Hard years
After the 2015–16 season the team is relegated and the club faces financial difficulties.
- 2026
A new chapter
The team competes in Liga 4, and the stadium is named after Kote Gogatadze.
