Soccer in Armenia

Before Armenia's national independence in 1991, football in Armenia was organized within the framework of the Soviet Union . Since then, national teams for women and men have been established and independent structures have been created.

Association

Armenian Football Association logo

The Armenian Football Association has been a member of FIFA since it was founded in 1992 and a UEFA member since 1993 . The association's president is Ruben Hajrapetjan . The headquarters of the Football Association is in Yerevan , the capital of Armenia.

Popular sport

In the Soviet Union , football was initially considered an "English aristocratic sport". This changed in the mid-1920s, in the following the football sport was systematically promoted. Football made its way into the Armenian SSR and quickly became a popular sport among boys and men (it was considered extremely unfeminine to play football). Football is suffering from the difficult economic situation in Armenia .

National team

The Armenian national soccer team played their first game on October 12, 1992 against Moldova (0-0). Since independence, Armenia has never been able to qualify for a football world or European championship final. Before that, Armenian football was part of the Soviet national team , whose greatest success was winning the European Championship in 1960 .

The men's team is coached by Artur Petrosjan , the women's team is looked after by Mher Mikaeljan . The team plays in red jerseys, blue shorts and orange socks (like the flag of Armenia ).

Professional football

The first Armenian professional footballers were Soviet state amateurs . The strongest club in the Armenian SSR was FC Ararat Yerevan , which has won several Soviet cups. The team achieved the greatest success in Armenian football history in 1973 when they became Soviet champions and cup winners. The best international result was the quarter-finals of the European Cup of National Champions 1974/1975, in which the team narrowly eliminated against the eventual winners FC Bayern Munich . The best Armenian footballers played in the national football team of the USSR .

Funding has been a problem since Armenia's independence. Many teams depend on funding from one or a few wealthy entrepreneurs. If they cut their funding because they lose their interest or are less economically successful, many clubs quickly get into financial difficulties.

League football

The Bardsragujn chumb (the so-called Oberliga ) has been organized by the Armenian Football Association since 1992. From 1936 to 1991 the competition was held as a regional tournament in the Soviet Union .

Cup competition

The Armenian Cup competition has also been held since 1992.

European club competitions

Armenian clubs also take part in UEFA club competitions. In the 2005/06 season, Armenia was represented by three teams. The champions FC Pyunik Yerevan started in the first qualifying round for the Champions League , the cup winner MIKA Aschtarak (opponent of the Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05 ) and the runner-up Bananz Yerevan in the first qualifying round for the UEFA Cup .

Known players

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