April 2001
Mon 30
- Premier League Sliema W. vs Valletta 2-2
- The draws of the Rothmans Trophy were held at the MFA Headquarters on Monday. Premier League champions Valletta were drawn to meet newly-promoted Marsa, champions of Division 1. However the most exciting tie should be the one between Birkirkara and Hibernians. First Division side St. Andrews face Floriana while Sliema Wanderers meet Pietà Hotspurs.
Sun 29
- Premier League Rabat A. vs Naxxar L. 1-4, Hibernians vs Birkirkara 2-2
- First Division St. Patrick vs Lija A. 1-3, Mosta vs Gozo 1-1
- Second Division Attard ve Mellieha 6-2, Sta. Venera L. vs Siggiewi 2-0
- Third Division Play-Offs St. George's vs Birzebbuga SP 1-3, Sirens vs Senglea A. 2-3
- Gozo - First Division Championship Play-Off Nadur Y. vs Xewkija T. 3-4
- Gozo - Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Oratory Y. vs Xaghra U. 3-2
Sat 28
- Premier League Xghajra T. vs Pietà H. 1-4, Hamrun S. vs Floriana 0-2
- First Division Marsaxlokk vs Zurrieq 4-0, St. Andrews vs Tarxien R. 3-1
- Second Division Balzan Y. vs Melita 1-0, Mqabba vs Luqa SA 1-0
Fri 27
- Women's Knock-Out Final Hibernians vs Birkirkara 1-0
Thu 26
- San Gwann FC's Youth Nursery have just signed a twinning agreement with top Italian Serie A side Parma. The two clubs reached an agreement a couple of weeks ago thanks to which Parma will be inviting the San Gwann nursery coaching staff for training camps and courses. Players of the San Gwann nursery will be assessed, possibly with the chance of having players who will go for trials at Parma's technical centres. Parma's regional coordinator, Claudio Lucchini, promised his club's comprehensive support for further expansion. San Gwann FC youth nursery will be entitled to wear the Parma badge on their outfits. They will also be able to participate in international football tournaments organised by Parma for its affiliated nurseries.
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs SK Victoria W. 1-2
Wed 25
- World Cup Qualifying Round Group 3 Malta vs Iceland 1-4
- Gozo - GFA Cup Ghajnsielem vs Sannat L. 3-1
- The coach of the youth team of Balzan Youths, Alfred Attard, was suspended for seven years by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after he was found guilty of assaulting the referee in a youth league match against Sta. Venera Lightnings. Attard has been banned from any football activities until the 24th April 2008.
Tue 24
- UEFA Under 21 Championship Malta vs Iceland 1-1
Malta's Under 21 side, under the guide of Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia tied 1-1 to Iceland at the Gozo Stadium. This was the second point for Malta after a goalless draw with Denmark last month. William Camenzuli equalised for Malta on the 69th minute after that Iceland had taken the lead on the 5th minute through Danielsson. Malta lined up as follows: Justin Haber, Mark Anthony Bonnici, Rennie Forace, Kenneth Scicluna, Aaron Xuereb, Massimo Grima, Joseph Farrugia (Miguel Mifsud), William Camenzuli, Claude Mattocks, Matthew Galea (Anatole Debono), Michael Galea (Kevin Sammut).
- National coach Josif Ilic had to drop Valletta striker Gilbert Agius after that the player reported sick. He has now been replaced by Floriana's George Mallia.
- Third Division Decider Birzebbuga SP vs Pembroke A. 3-1
Sun 22
- National coach Josif Ilic named the squad for Wednesday's World Qualifier against Iceland. As announced earlier, Sliema striker Michael Mifsud who scored 30 league goals this season was included in the squad and will probably form part of the starting line-up. On the other hand, Sliema defender Luke Dimech and Floriana striker George Mallia were dropped from the 18-man squad. The squad is therefore made up of: goalkeepers Ernest Barry (Sliema) and Mario Muscat (Hibs); defenders David Carabott, Darren Debono and Daniel Theuma (Valletta), Brian Said (Floriana) and Michael Spiteri (B'Kara); midfielders Joe Brincat and Antoine Zahra (B'Kara), Carmel Busuttil, David Camilleri and Noel Turner (Sliema), Stefan Giglio (CSKA Sofia), Jonathan Holland (Floriana), Nicky Saliba (Valletta) and strikers Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Michael Mifsud (Sliema) and Chucks Nwoko (CSKA Sofia). The Iceland squad is made up of B. Kristinsson (Stoke), A.G. Arason (Rosenborg), R. Kristinsson (Lokeren), E. Sverrisson (Hertha Berlin), A. Gretarsson (Lokeren), T. Gudjonsson (Derby), R. Dadason (Stoke), H. Hreidarsson (Ipswich), H. Sigurdsson (Panathinaikos), H. Kolvidsson (SSV Ulm), B.B. Gunnarsson (Stoke), R. Gudmundsson (Stabaek), A. Helgason (Lokeren), P.H. Marteinsson (Stabaek), A.T. Vidarsson (Lokeren), E. Gudjohnsen (Chelsea), O. Bjarnason (Grindavik), A. Sightorsson (Salzburg). The coach is Atli Edvaldsson.
- First Division Lija A. vs Gozo 4-1, Qormi vs Marsa 0-0 ... Marsa Champions promoted to the Premier League
- Second Division Gzira U. vs Sta. Venera L. 3-3, Sta. Lucia vs Zebbug R. 0-2
- Third Division Ghaxaq vs Gharghur 2-0, Msida SJ vs San Gwann 4-0
- Women's Knock-Out Hibernians vs Mosta 2-0, Birkirkara vs Melita 1-0
Sat 21
- First Division Zurrieq vs St. Patrick 0-7, Mosta vs St. Andrews 6-0
- Third Division Vittoriosa S. vs Ta' Xbiex 5-0, Gudja U. vs Birzebbuga SP 0-3. Birzebbuga and Pembroke have to play a decider for a place in the Promotion Play-Offs.
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs SK Victoria W. postponed due to lack of security
Fri 20
- In a press conference, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud and national coach Josif Ilic gave details about next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Iceland. Dr Mifsud said this game is a most important one for the team but psychologically it is a very difficult one since both teams will be aiming for a win. The difference between Malta and Iceland is that most of the players in the Icelandic team are based abroad while Malta has only three playing in Bulgaria. He announced that there are good prospects that other local players move to foreign clubs. Dr Mifsud called all local fans to support the team. He went on by thanking Carmel Busuttil for the sterling service offered to the national team as this is expected to be his last game. However Dr Mifsud said the Malta still needed Busuttil and hopes Busuttil changes his mind. The MFA president congratulated David Carabott who will be playing the 100th game for the national team.
National coach Josif Ilic announced that Sliema striker Michael Mifsud has been included in the senior squad and will be forming part of the starting line-up. Ilic said that he is now aiming at a positive result after a series of disappointing performances. He promised the local players will be doing their best. He said that the team will be strengthened with the return of Michael Spiteri together with Brian Said, Darren Debono, Antoine Zahra and Joe Brincat who are now back in fine form. Ilic said he will be adopting an offensive plan with Busuttil, Mifsud and Nwoko as strikers. Under 21 coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia wished Michael Mifsud the best of luck although he was sorry to lose him from the Under 21 squad. he said that Andrew Cohen has been drafted in the squad. Carlo Mamo is suspended.
- Dominic Anastasi Ltd and Panini launched the first Panini sticker collection dedicated to the Maltese football championships in a press conference at the Diplomat Hotel in Sliema This is an important event as it was something which the Maltese have been waiting for years. 2001 also stands as an important date for both Panini and Maltese football. In fact, this year, Panini celebrates the 40th year since the launch of its first Album collection dedicated to the Italian Football Championships. On the other hand, the Malta Football Association is celebrating the first century since its establishment. Therefore the launch of the first Maltese football collection is not a casual matter.
The Album, which depicts Stefan Giglio on the cover, has all the hallmarks of a great success:
* The guarantee of the binomial Dominic Anastasi Ltd/Panini partnership;
* the album consisting of 48 pages and 481 stickers;
* the presence of Vodafone and Pepsi, the two partners in the launching of this collection. Pepsi has in fact decided to create a promotional campaign tied to this collection: every person who purchases a pack of Pepsi bottles would receive a packet of stickers. Vodafone are also pushing forward a promotion of this product through organized competitions on the Web. Therefore the collection dedicated to Maltese football will be available in over 300 outlets in Malta and Gozo. Thanks to Panini, the Maltese football collection can also be viewed on the Web on www.paninigroup.com/malta, a page dedicated to Malta and its football.
The collaboration Anastasi/Panini is in its 30th year. 2001 also stands as an important date for both Panini and Maltese football. In fact, this year, Panini celebrates the 40th year since the launch of its first Album collection dedicated to Italian Football, first launched in 1961. At the same time, the MFA celebrates its first centenary.
- Gozo - GFA Cup Nadur Y. vs Zebbug R. 3-2
Thu 19
- Stefan Giglio and Chucks Nwoko will be missing the top-of-the-table clash between Levski Sofia and their club, CSKA Sofia on Sunday evening. The MFA asked the players to be in Malta on Sunday for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Iceland. Giglio and Nwoko were both left out of CSKA's 5-0 win over Beroe Stara Zagora as coach Enrico Catuzzi wanted to prepare for the game against Levski. The latter are leading the table five points ahead of CSKA.
- Floriana president Dennis Burke will be unable to contest for the presidency of the club in the Annual General Meeting since he is banned for six months from his post as president.
- Gozo - GFA Cup Oratory Y. vs Xewkija T. 2-1
Wed 18
- Gozo - GFA Cup Kercem A. vs Victoria H. 2-1
- Three players will be missing the decisive clash against relegation between Rabat Ajax and Naxxar Lions after being suspended for the last game of the season. These players are Rabat's William Borg and Joseph Farrugia and Naxxar's Carmel Spiteri. Pietà will be lacking three players for the game against Xghajra: Ivan Woods, Pierre Aquilina and Anthony Galea while Floriana also have two players suspended: Jonathan Holland and David Cluett. The other two players who were suspended are Joe Camilleri (Sliema) and Justin Tellus (Birkirkara).
Tue 17
- After an appeal by Floriana, the bans on Brazilian striker Eduardo do Nascimento 'Bizu' and president Dennis Burke were reduced. Bizu's five-match suspension was reduced to three and so he is therefore eligible to play for the Greens in the Rothmans Trophy. On the other hand, president Dennis Burke who was suspended for nine months had this suspension reduced to six months.
- The draws for the Rothmans Third Division Promotion Play-Offs and the HSBC Youth A and B Knock-Outs were held on Tuesday. In the Third Division play-offs, the fixtures are as follows: 29 April - A vs B, C vs D; 6 May - B vs C, D vs A; 13 May - A vs C, B vs D. St. George's are team A, Sirens team C, Birzebbuga/Pembroke/Vittoriosa team B and Msida/Senglea team D. In the Youth A Knock-Out, the quarter-finals are: St. Patrick-Hamrun S., Sliema W. vs Birkirkara, Floriana vs St. Andrews, Rabat/Valletta vs Mosta/Qormi and in Youth B Knock-Out: Siggiewi vs Sta. Venera/Balzan, Mellieha vs Attard/Pembroke, Zejtun C. vs San Gwann/Dingli, Sirens/Zebbug vs St.George's/Melita.
Mon 16
- Premier League Valletta vs Birkirkara 2-1
Sun 15
- Premier League Pietà H. vs Rabat A. 1-1, Hamrun S. vs Sliema W. 0-4
- Third Division Fgura U. vs Sirens 0-4, Zejtun C. vs Pembroke A. 0-1
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Ghajnsielem 2-2, Oratory Y. vs Zebbug R. 1-2
Sat 14
- Premier League Xghajra T. vs Naxxar L. 0-4, Floriana vs Hibernians 2-0
- First Division Marsa vs Tarxien R. 3-1, Qormi vs Marsaxlokk 3-0
- Third Division Mgarr U. vs Senglea A. 0-2, St. George's vs Kirkop U. 0-2
- Gozo - First Division St. Lawrence vs Victoria H. 1-3, Xewkija T. vs Kercem A. 3-2
Fri 13
- Valletta FC striker Gilbert Agius was voted Rothmans Footballer of the Month for March 2001. Agius, who is 27 years old, started us career with the Luxol St. Andrews Nursery but then joined Valletta for whom he made his debut in the Premier League in season 1990/91. With Valletta, Agius won all the top local honours, namely the Premier League, Rothmans Trophy, Super Cup, Super 5 Competition and the Centenary Cup. He considers season 1996/97 as one of the highest points in his career as in that season, Valletta won the five honours at stake. That season Agius also managed to win the Footballer of the Year Award and won two consecutive Rothmans Player of the Month Awards. Gilbert Agius' ambition is to play abroad, besides winning again the Premier League Championship with Valletta. Among other interests and pastimes of Agius are swimming and rock music. He dedicates this honour to his family, team-mates and to his future wife Ruth.
Thu 12
- At the end of next week, Panini SpA of Modena - Italy, famous worldwide for sticker collections, will be launching the first collection dedicated to football in Malta, "Football 2000-2001". The sticker album will feature 454 stickers including the Premier League players together with the teams of First, Second and Third Division and the Gozo FA. This album will be distributed by Dominic Anastasi Ltd, representatives of Panini in Malta. Last year, a Young Enterprise company - Shooting Stars had produced a sticker collection album of Maltese footballers named "Kickit".
Wed 11
- Malta faced a tough draw in the UEFA Intertoto Cup when the local representatives will be facing the first team from Poland. The first leg will be played in Poland on the 16/17 June while the return match will be held in Malta on the 23/24 June. The team which qualifies from this round meets the winner of the first round match between the representatives of the Faroe Islands and Belgium's second team. The second round matches will be held on the 30 Jun/1 Jul and 7/8 July. In the third round the winner will face Spain's first team. Third round matches are scheduled for the 14/15 July and 21 July. Representing Malta will be the team which places third or fourth in the Premier League depending on which team wins the Rothmans Trophy.
- The MFA Disciplinary Commissioner suspended the following players for one game: Kris Laferla and John Buttigieg (Valletta), Mario Caruana (Floriana), Marco Catania (Xghajra), Michael Micallef (Rabat) and David Galea (Hamrun). Laferla and Buttigieg will miss the game against Birkirkara, Caruana - the game against Hibs, Catania - the game against Naxxar, Micallef - the game against Pietà and Galea - the game against Sliema.
- Malta dropped another place in the FIFA World Rankings, as published on Wednesday, after the 0-5 defeat to Denmark last month. Malta now lies in the 122nd place. In December, Malta stood in the 119th place. Two European countries which were close to Malta in the rankings, Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands climbed three and four places respectively and are now 114th and 115th. Luxembourg is 141st, Andorra 144th and San Marino 166th. Malta's next fixture is the World Cup qualifier against Iceland on the 25th April.
- Second & Third Division Zebbug R. vs St. George's 2-2 (5-4 pen), Vittoriosa S. vs Dingli S. 2-1
Tue 10
- Maltese-Australian defender Kevin Muscat scored five goals in Australia's record win of 22-0 over Tonga in the Oceania's first qualifying round for the 2002 World Cup finals. This was a memorable day for Muscat who plays for Wolves since it was also his first time as Australia's captain. The previous record victory in an international match was that between China and Bhutan which ended 20-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier in 2000.
Sun 8
- Premier League Birkirkara vs Hamrun S. 3-1, Hibernians vs Valletta 2-3
- First Division Gozo vs Zurrieq 2-0, Tarxien R. vs Mosta 1-4, St. Andrews vs Lija A. 2-2 ... Zurrieq relegated to Division 2
- Second Division Siggiewi v Mqabba 0-3, Mellieha v Dingli S. 1-1 ... Siggiewi relegated to Division 3
- Third Division Birzebbuga SP vs San Gwann 1-0, Ta' Xbiex vs Gharghur 3-4
- Women's Knock-Out Raiders vs Mosta 1-5, Rabat A. vs Melita 0-7
- The Second & Third Division semi-finals - Zebbug R. vs St. George's, Vittoriosa S. vs Dingli S. - will be played on the 11th April.
Sat 7
- Premier League Rabat A. vs Xghajra T. 1-0, Sliema W. vs Floriana 4-1
- First Division Marsaxlokk vs Marsa 0-1, St. Patrick vs Qormi 0-3
- Second Division Balzan Y. vs Attard 5-0, Melita vs Luqa SA 3-0
- Gozo - Second Division SK Victoria W. vs Sannat L. 0-3, Xaghra U. vs Qala SJ 9-0
Fri 6
- Two young players, Elliott Navarro (Floriana - 16yrs) and Matthew Bartolo (Hibernians - 14yrs), will be travelling to England later this month for trials with Premier League club Southampton and Division One side Portsmouth. The trial will be held between the 18th and 20th April. These players received this opportunity thanks to the Football Frenzy Training Academy which is run by Jon Mottershead.
Thu 5
- There seems to be trouble once again between the Malta Football Association and CSKA Sofia regarding the availablity of Stefan Giglio and Chucks Nwoko for Malta's next World Cup Qualifier against Iceland on Wednesday 25th April at Ta' Qali. Three days later, on Sunday, CSKA play a most important match against Levski Sofia. Levski are currently leading the Bulgarian Premier League table, three points ahead of CSKA. According to FIFA regulations, clubs have to release international players five days before an international match and in such case, Giglio and Nwoko would miss the game against Levski. The main problem lies with Giglio who is a regular choice for coach Enrico Catuzzi. Meanwhile Giglio and Nwoko were not included in the return match of the Bulgarian Cup which CSKA won 1-0. Giglio sustained an injury on Sunday and had to be substituted. However he is expected to be back for the 'Red Army' in another important league game for CSKA - against third placed Velbazhd.
- Floriana will be appealing from the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner's decision to suspend president Dennis Burke for nine months following comments given in an interview after the game.
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Oratory Y. 3-0
Wed 4
- Floriana's Brazilian striker Eduardo do Nascimento 'Bizu' was suspended for five games by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after an attempt assault on referee ER Zammit in the last game against Valletta. Bizu will therefore miss the rest of the season. The Greens were hit hard as another three players were also suspended: Richard Buhagiar for two games and Rufin Oba and Brian Said for one game. Valletta's Nicky Saliba was suspended for one match. Floriana president Dennis Burke was suspended till the 3rd January 2002. In an interview aired during the programme 'L-Argument' on Super ONE TV, Burke claimed that referee ER Zammit was constantly calling George Mallia, "boy", and that most referees are considered as gods.
- Gozo - First Division Zebbug R. vs Kercem A. 2-0
Mon 2
- Malta international striker Chucks Nwoko makes debut in 1-0 win for CSKA Sofia over Cherno More Varna being included as a substitute on the 69th minute. Stefan Giglio was unlucky to suffer an injury early in the game and was substituted on the 23rd minute. CSKA are still second, three points behind leaders Levski.
Sun 1
- Premier League Hamrun S. vs Hibernians 1-2, Sliema W. vs Birkirkara 1-2
- First Division Gozo vs Qormi 3-1, Lija A. vs Tarxien R. 3-1, Zurrieq vs St. Andrews 2-2
- Second Division Zebbug R. vs Mellieha 2-1, Sta. Venera L. vs Sta. Lucia 3-1
- Third Division Pembroke A. vs Kirkop U. 3-3, Sirens vs Senglea A. 1-1
- Women's League Raiders vs Melita 1-3, Mosta vs Rabat A. 7-0, Birkirkara vs Hibernians 0-2
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs Xaghra U. 1-3
- National coach Josif Ilic called another goalkeeper for the national team. He is 24-year old Mark Vella of First Division side Tarxien Rainbows. Vella formed part of the Under 14 squad in past.