President of Georgia backs Ukraine

TBILISI, June 14 (Reuters) The president of soccer-mad Georgia, brought to power by a bloodless revolution like the president of Ukraine, says he is supporting the Ukrainian team making its World Cup debut today.

''I am a fan of the Ukrainian team. I hope they get through to the quarter-finals,'' Mikhail Saakashvili told Reuters.

''Georgia and Ukraine have a very special relationship. I am actually Ukrainian in my heart and soul. I wish them well.'' Saakashvili, who studied in Kiev in Soviet times and speaks good Ukrainian, has forged close ties with his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko.

Both seek EU and NATO membership for their former Soviet republics. Both are pressing to pull their countries out of Moscow's shadow since being propelled to office, Saakashvili after Georgia's ''Rose Revolution'', Yushchenko in the aftermath of the ''Orange Revolution''.

As Ukraine geared up for its opening match against Spain, crowds of supporters wearing the jersey of Ukrainian star Andriy Shevchenko gathered in Tbilisi city centre. A light plane flew overhead, dragging a yellow and blue Ukrainian flag behind it.

Reuters PM VV1832