Georgian striker Jaba Dvali, who made UEFA Europa League history by scoring the competition’s first-ever hat-trick, has died aged 41 following a reported heart attack
A former footballer who carved his name into UEFA competition history has passed away aged 41 following reports of a heart attack. Georgian striker Jaba Dvali holds the distinction of becoming the first player to net a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League.
Tragically, the veteran forward has now died with numerous former clubs now honouring his memory. No additional details have emerged regarding Dvali’s death or the precise date of his tragic passing.
Dinamo Tbilisi, one of Georgia’s most prominent clubs, paid homage to their former player who some Tottenham supporters may recall from when Dvali featured against them in the Europa League in 2013.
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The club stated: “Dinamo Tbilisi expresses its deep sorrow over the death of our former player, Jaba Dvali. We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Dvali secured the hat-trick achievement in the opening period of his FC Zestafoni team’s 6-0 victory over Lisburn Distillery FC in the Europa League back in July 2009.
Zestafoni triumphed 5-1 in the opening leg to establish another benchmark in the tournament for the biggest winning margin with an 11-1 aggregate triumph.
Reflecting on the evening he claimed the accolade, a “happy” Dvali remarked: “We really wanted to win and also to score more, than in the first encounter, and we succeeded.”
FC Zestafoni have also honoured their former star player who contributed significantly during one of the club’s most prosperous eras.
Shared alongside a career highlight video, the club simply stated “Rest in Peace!”. It took no time at all for the Europa League to witness its first hat-trick, with the competition having only just been established that year as a replacement for the UEFA Cup under a revamped format.
The overhauled competition format ultimately saw Atlético Madrid claim the trophy following victory over Fulham in the final in Hamburg.
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Despite earning just a single cap for the Georgia national team, Dvali is a member of the Georgian league’s 100 club, having turned out for numerous sides in his home country.
While Dvali featured for several Georgian clubs, he also had a stint in Azerbaijani football with Qarabag in 2014, before hanging up his boots in 2022 back at Zestaponi, who had by then dropped down to the fourth tier.
He also took on the role of director general at the once Europa League-competing club, who were thrown out of the Georgian top flight back in 2015, while also lending his expertise to coaching the youth side.