July 2002
Wed 31
- Champions League Boavista vs Hibernians 4-0
- The 24th edition of the Gammari Muscat Mosta Tournament, undoubtedly the most prestigious summer tournament, kicks-off on Thursday. Taking part this year are just four teams - Lija Athletic and Senglea Athletics from Division 1, Zurrieq from Division 2 and hosts Mosta from the Premier League. The tournament will be played on a one-round league basis. In the first matches, Senglea A. meet Zurrieq while Lija A. take on Mosta.
- Wiggles are the new champions of the 2002 Cisk Export Beach Soccer Tour after beating Zirbi Radiators 4-1 during last Sunday's final in Golden Bay. Wiggles will now be fying to Italy to participate in an international tournament in Monopoli, where they will facing the Italian and Sicilian beach soccer champions as well as a Yugoslav team. The tournament will be held on the 24th and 25th of August.
Wiggles managed to win this year's tournament following their unsuccessful participations in the 2000 and 2001 competitions. Following a goalles first half, Jeffrey Zammit opened the score for Wiggles directly from a corner. The same action was successfully repeated, this time by Stephen Said bringing the result to 2-0. Two other goals followed by Jeffrey Zammit and Kurt Formosa. Zirbi Radiators' Godwin Stivala brought the result to 4-1 but further attempts proved unsuccessful thanks to an excellent goalkeeping display by Wiggles' Sandro Rapinett who was consequently awarded the Keeper of the Tournament Award. Further awards were presented at the end of the tournament.
Beside the final matches, other activites where organised throughout the weekend. On Friday the Pepsi Juniors league saw three nursery teams playing beach soccer, whilst on Saturday Mosta, Melita, Hibs and B'Kara took part in the Hawaiian Tropic Ladies League. After the final match with Melita, B'Kara won the league. On Sunday top veteran players took part in the Gatorade Masters League. Ray 'Mundu' Vella, Alex Azzopardi, Pierre Brincat, Edwin Camilleri and many more took the challenge to play against their old team mates.
Tue 30
- Valletta FC presented their new signings for season 2002-03 during a press conference which was held on Tuesday.
Besides Keith Fenech and Daniel Bogdanovic who have already been registered, Valletta's other new players are Dino Cachia, Trevor Thomas and Nigerian Sunday Esi Oduko. Cachia will be joining the Citizens on loan from Msida St. Joseph while Thomas, who is a free-agent after being released by Hibernians, used to play for Senglea Athletic.
Valletta president Joe Caruana Curran said that despite difficulties, the club managed to build a competitive team, made up of a mixture of young and experienced players, which could fight for the honours. Caruana Curran said the club has reached an agreement with all the players to pay all the salaries due within five years.
- Former Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers midfielder Roger Walker signed for newly-promoted Marsaxlokk after being given the free-release by the Blues. Walker, who played for four years with Sliema before moving to Switzerland, returned to Malta in 1997 when he joined Hibernians. Mid-way through last season he joined Sliema Wanderers. After playing for the Blues in the Lowenbrau Cup, Walker was informed that he did not feature in the plans of new coach Edward Aquilina.
The 36-year old midfielder is therefore the fifth Sliema player to join Marsaxlokk. But the total number of Sliema players to join the Seasiders could increase further as Richard Buhagiar, who was on loan from Floriana, is also set to join Marsaxlokk.
Marsaxlokk had earlier secured the services of Reggie Cini, Brandon Zammit, Trevor Templeman and Joseph Farrugia on a one-year loan.
Mon 29
- In a friendly match at the Centenary Stadium, Birkirkara and Senglea Athletic drew 0-0.
- A 19-man Hibernians squad left Malta on Sunday night destination Porto where the Paolites will be facing Boavista FC in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League next Wednesday.
After beating Shelbourne FC of Ireland 3-2 on aggregate, the morale of the Paolites is sky-high. Against such a strong side, their target will probably be that of trying to limit the damages as much as possible.
Captain Silvio Vella who postponed his retirement by a couple of weeks in order to play this two-legged tie against Boavista could be unavailable for selection next Wednesday as he is suffering from an injury. Adrian Mifsud, Ndubisi Chukunyere and Miguel Mifsud are also struggling to recover from injuries.
The players are: goalkeepers Mario Muscat and Rainier Farrugia;
defenders Kevin Cassar, Branko Nisevic, Silvio Vella, Adrian Pulis, Wilfred Spiteri, Aaron Xuereb and Roderick Baldacchino;
midfielders Essien Mbong, Adrian Ciantar, Peter Pullicino and Simon Zerafa
and forwards Ndubisi Chukunyere, Adrian Mifsud, Andrew Cohen, Terence Scerri, Antoine Zahra and Miguel Mifsud.
- The Keith Fenech saga came to an end on Monday as Valletta filed in his registration at the MFA Headquarters. The former Rabat Ajax midfielder, who was on loan with Birkirkara last season, joins the Citizens therefore squashing rumours that he had changed his mind and was about to return with the Stripes.
Birkirkara were the first team to approach Rabat over the transfer of the 26-year old midfielder. However after the two teams reached an agreement on the transfer fee about two weeks ago, Birkirkara opted out a couple of days later. Valletta stepped in and were quick to reach a verbal agreement with the Magpies.
Keith Fenech also made his first appearance for Valletta in a friendly match against Birkirkara last Friday. However after the game, Birkirkara officials approached Fenech again in an attempt to convince him to sign for them. But Valletta finalised the deal with Rabat on Sunday morning and the player signed a five-year contract with the Citizens on Monday.
Sun 28
- Kaiserslautern were eliminated from the third round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to FK Teplice of the Czech Republic. Michael Mifsud was included as a substitute after 23 minutes when he replaced the injured Brazilian striker Lincoln. A few minutes later Aleksander Knavs also had to abandon the pitch injured.
To make matters worse for the Reds, Stefan Malz (and not Michael Mifsud as was reported on other sections of the media) was sent off on 44 minutes. Horvath put Teplice 1-0 ahead two minutes in the second half and three minutes later, Kukol was also sent off for Kaiserslautern. Vorisek doubled the score on 64 minutes. Zelenka secured victory with another goal five minutes from time. Just before the final whistle, Verbir scored the fourth goal.
Meanwhile Kaiserslautern have denied permission to Michael Mifsud to join the national team for a training camp which will be held in Germany between July 31 and August 10.
- Birkirkara were chosen by UEFA to represent Malta in the European Club Forum, a forum which was set up to improve dialogue and consultation between UEFA and Europe's clubs with the well-being of the European club game in mind. Monaco will be hosting the first meeting of the forum at the end of August. This was announced by MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud during Saturday's Annual General Meeting of the Malta Football Association.
Formed in the wake of proposals made by UEFA to Europe's top clubs, the European Club Forum is made up of 102 clubs in all, representing the 52 members associations of UEFA. The club forum will discuss matters covering the entire spectrum of the European game, including competition formats, marketing and rights strategies. Developments and marketing opportunities within the field of new communications will also be topics of conversation.
UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner says that the forum will be playing an important role in UEFA's future activities, as part of continuing moves by European football's governing body to involve the European football community in its overall work to promote the well-being of European professional football. "These are essential steps to strengthen the relationship between UEFA and the clubs of Europe," said Mr Aigner.
- Czech midfielder Jaroslav Marx is expected to join Birkirkara early next weed in order to continue preparation with his team mates ahead of the UEFA Cup commitments against Metalurh Zaporizhzhya. Thirty-year old Marx, a former player Banik Ostrava, played for Birkirkara in the Lowenbrau Cup where he did quite well especially in the first game against Hibernians. If his performance satisfies the club, he could be retained for the coming season.
Slovak striker Milan Strelec has been released after the trial-period ended. The other Nigerians who were on trial, Matthew Babayaro and Jeremiah Eni, will not be retained.
Meanwhile defender Mark Anthony Bonnici reached an agreement with Birkirkara over a new two-year contract.
Sat 27
- Birkirkara and Floriana have finally reached an agreement over the transfer of Malta international striker George Mallia. Officials from the two clubs concluded negotiations on Saturday morning which will see Mallia joining the Stripes for a fee of Lm 20,000. The registration of George Mallia, who will be signing a three-year contract, together with that of Justin Haber is expected to be filed on Monday once the prohibition on Floriana is lifted.
He will be making his first appearance for Birkirkara on Thursday in a friendly match against the Greens which will be held at the Independence Arena.
- Hundreds of Hibernians supporters gathered at the Malta International Airport on Friday afternoon to give their heroes a warm welcome after their historic qualification to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. All the players and especially Ndubisi Chukunyere, scorer of the goal Hibs needed to qualify for the next round, and goalkeeper were greeted as heroes by euphoric Hibs supporters. This was the second time Hibs reached a further round after eliminating Fram Reykjavik of Iceland with a 3-2 aggregate score in the Cup Winners Cup 71/72. Hibs captain Silvio Vella will be postponing his retirement by a couple of weeks in order to play this two-legged tie against Boavista.
- Pietà Hotspurs played another two friendly matches as part of their 15-day training camp in Bresciano, Italy. They were beaten 0-2 by Paterno, who were promoted to the Serie C1 last season. Then the Hotspurs managed to defeat a selection of Castel di Sangro 3-1 with Malcolm Licari scoring twice and Digger Okonkwo scoring another goal.
On trial with Pietà is 24-year old Italian defender Mauro Di Lello, a former player of Pistoiese, Fano and Giorgione in the Serie C1.
Pietà are expected back in Malta on Tuesday.
Fri 26
- Valletta defeated rivals Birkirkara 4-2 in a friendly match on Friday evening at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun. Making their first appearance for Valletta were midfielder Keith Fenech, Senglea striker Trevor Thomas, Dino Cachia of Msida and Nigerian striker Sunday Esi Oduko. On the other hand, goalkeeper Justin Haber was included as a substitute in the second half for Birkirkara.
Gilbert Agius put Valletta ahead late in the first half and doubled the score soon after the break. Lucian Dronca converted a penalty for Birkirkara but the Citizens extended the lead with goals by Daniel Bogdanovic and Trevor Thomas. Lucian Dronca reduced the gap for Birkirkara just before the final whistle.
In another friendly match, Floriana defeated Mosta 1-0 at the Independence Arena, a goal by Nicolo Baldacchino. Making their first appearance for the Greens were Donovan Friggieri and Sandro Zammit Fava.
- The draws of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League were held on Friday in Nyon. After eliminating Shelbourne FC of Ireland, Hibernians were included in the draws together with Boavista of Portugal.
Hibs/Boavista, who were included with the seeded teams, were drawn to meet AJ Auxerre of France, onw of the teams with the highest ranking among the unseeded teams.
- The saga concerning Jeffrey Chetcuti has finally come to an end with the Malta international defender signing a five-year contract with Sliema Wanderers. However his registration has not been filed yet as the prohibition on Valletta has not been lifted although this problem should be solved in a matter of a few days. Chetcuti has already started training with his new team mates under the guide of coach Edward Aquilina.
Meanwhile Sliema registered Brazilian defender Renato Garcia Conceicao in view of their UEFA Cup commitments against Polonia Warszawa next month.
- Floriana defender Richard Buhagiar is on the verge of joining newly-promoted Marsaxlokk.
It is believed that Richard Buhagiar, who was on loan with Sliema Wanderers last season, has accepted the offer of Marsaxlokk and he will be joining them on a one year loan. Buhagiar was also attracting the interest of another Premier side, Marsa.
Meanwhile Marsaxlokk have sealed the transfer of another player from Sliema, Pierre Grima. Grima was on loan with Lija Athletic last season. Goalkeeper Sandro Micallef has been confirmed.
Thu 25
- The draws of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League will be held on Friday in Nyon. After eliminating Shelbourne FC of Ireland, Hibernians will be included in the draws together with Boavista of Portugal. From these draws, the team which will face either Hibs or Boavista in the third round will emerge. Included in the draws are a number of former European champions like Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Inter, Milan, Barcelona and Celtic. UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord are also one of the teams in the draw.
Boavista/Hibernians were included with the seeded teams and are therefore sure of avoiding one of these big teams in the third round.
Seeded Teams: Bayern München, Manchester United, Barcelona, Inter, Feyenoord, Milan, Dynamo Kyiv/FC Pyunik (ARM), Lokomotiv Moscow, AEK Athens, Sparta Praha/Torpedo Kutaisi, Rosenborg,
Newcastle United, Club Brugge/Dinamo Bucuresti, Sturm Graz, Boavista/Hibernians and Celtic; Unseeded Teams: Sporting Clube de Portugal, Auxerre, Slovan Liberec, Sheriff Tiraspol/Grazer, Shakhtar Donetsk, KRC Genk, Brøndby/Dinamo Tirana, Fenerbahçe, Maccabi Haifa/Belshina Bobruisk (BLS),
Vardar/Legia Warszawa, Lillestrøm/Zeljeznicar, MŠK Zilina (SVK)/Basel, Hammarby/Partizan, Zalaegerszegi (HUN)/NK Zagreb, Skonto/Levski Sofia, NK Maribor/APOEL Nicosia.
- Marsa and First Division side St. Patrick drew 1-1 in a friendly match at the Centenary Stadium. Jason Tabone put the Saints ahead but Anthony Evi Parker levelled the score for Marsa.
Wed 24
- Champions League Shelbourne vs Hibernians vs Shelbourne 0-1
- Floriana goalkeeper Justin Haber is free to join another club after the MFA Appeals' Board confirmed the decision of the MFA Players and Complaints Board, therefore rejecting an appeal by Floriana FC.
After agreeing personal terms with Birkirkara, the transfer from Floriana should be completed by the end of the week when Birkirkara pay the transfer fee according to the parameters established by the MFA. Haber is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Stripes. He will therefore be eligible to play for Birkirkara in the UEFA Cup qualifying round against Metalurh Zaporizhzhya of Ukraine.
Haber is not the only player who is attracting the interest of Birkirkara. The Stripes are hoping to sign Malta international striker George Mallia. According the MFA parameters, Mallia is worth Lm 20,000.
- Newly-promoted Marsaxlokk are currently giving trials to a number of foreign players as they try to strengthen their squad in view of the coming Premier League campaign.
Among the players on trial is Czech midfielder Peter Betras and other foreigners from Nigeria. Their first foreigner is expected to be Nigerian striker Ganny Agally.
On the local front, they signed Reggie Cini, Brandon Zammit, Trevor Templeman and Joseph Farrugia, all from Sliema and Carmel Formosa from Pietà. On the other hand, from last year's squad they lost a number of players like Jesmond Delia, Angel Terzyski, Fabio Cauchi, Clive Mizzi, Mark Marlow and Malcolm Tirchett.
- After beating the primavera of Castel di Sangro 5-1, Pietà Hotspurs played another friendly match against Anguinella as part if their 15-day training camp in Bresciano, Italy. The game ended in a 1-1 draw with Malcolm Licari scoring the only goal for Pietà.
- Following a one-day tournament at Gozo's Ramla l-Hamra, Tornadoes won the mini tournament thus acceding to the Cisk Export Beach Soccer Tour finals due to be held over the coming weekend in Golden Bay.
The weekend will start on Thursday and Friday, with four games per day from 4.00pm to 8.00pm. Zmegma vs Swing Kids and Champions Export Lions vs Wiggles are the top second round matches. The weekend will continue on Saturday with the quarter finals in the morning and semi-finals in the evening. The much awaited final is scheduled for Sunday at 4.00pm.
Besides the Tour's final matches, other events are being scheduled for the weekend. On Friday, the Pepsi Juniors League will see a number of kids playing beach soccer. In this regard, interested nurseries wanting to participate are urged to contact Sports Target on 79617743. On Saturday afternoon, a number of ladies teams will compete for the Hawaiian Tropic Trophy whilst on Sunday, ex top local players will show off their skills and experience in the Gatorade Masters League.
As the teams are now eyeing the ultimate prize, participation in the European championships, a bad news has been issued by the Greek Beach Soccer Association. The Corfu Local Council, that was going to sponsor the event has cancelled the sponsor because of the region elections due in October. However, the winning team will still participate in an international tournament. In fact, Sports Target are presently in contact with the Greek Association for possible participation in a Greek beach soccer tournament on the island of Rhodes as well as the possibility to participate in the 'Italian Beach Soccer Series' finals in Rimini. One of these venues will be confirmed and announced over the coming days through Sports Target's website www.beachsoccer.com.mt.
Tue 23
- Rabat Ajax midfielder Keith Fenech has joined Valletta FC after playing for Birkirkara on loan last season. The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of Lm12,000.
As anticipated by maltafootball.com after Birkirkara's interest in Keith Fenech had cooled down despite reaching an agreement with the Magpies over the payment of the transfer fee and the settlement of the around Lm 3,000 in salaries which Rabat still owed him, Valletta were firm favourites to sign the 26-year old midfielder who started his career with Mellieha before joining Rabat in 1997.
Keith Fenech is the second signing for Valletta after they managed to secure the services of Malta international striker Daniel Bogdanovic.
- Pietà Hotspurs registered a 5-1 win over the Primavera side of Italian Serie B side Castel di Sangro. Jamie Pace scored two of the goals for the Hotspurs with the other goals being scored by Ivan Woods, Andrew Spiteri, Clive Camilleri and Australian midfielder Mirko Jurilj. Andrew Spiteri played for Castel di Sangro last season. The Hotspurs are currently on a 15-day training camp in Italy.
- Malta international defender Luke Dimech quits Notts County where he was on a one-month trial. After making two appearances for the Magpies in two friendly matches against non-league clubs, Dimech opted to move elsewhere since the club is not in a position to offer him a contract.
Notts County are the oldest surviving Football League club, having been in existence for 140 years, but mounting debts exacerbated by the lack of television money due to the collapse of ITV Digital have resulted in the administrators being called in at Meadow Lane.
Luke Dimech is now set to join his former club, Lincoln City, for a trial. Lincoln play in the Third Division.
Mon 22
- A 19-man Hibernians squad left Malta for Dublin on Monday morning in view of next Wednesday's second leg from the first qualifying round of the Champions League against Shelboune.
After last Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Ta' Qali, Hibernians are bound to win or score at least three goals for a 3-3 draw or better in order to reach the second round where the team which qualifies faces Boavista of Portugal.
Hibs coach Robert Gatt named the eighteen players who formed part of the squad which last Wednesday drew 2-2 at Ta' Qali, adding tennage strikers Udochukwu Nwoko and Terence Scerri.
The Paolites need to win the second leg or draw the match with a better score than the 2-2 at Ta' Qali to qualify for the next round and play Portuguese side Boavista.
The Paolites' squad is made up of:
goalkeepers Mario Muscat and Rainier Farrugia; defenders Kevin Cassar, Branko Nisevic, Silvio Vella, Adrian Pulis, Wilfred Spiteri, Aaron Xuereb and Roderick Baldacchino; midfielders Essien Mbong, Adrian Ciantar, Peter Pullicino and Simon Zerafa and forwards Ndubisi Chukunyere, Adrian Mifsud, Andrew Cohen, Terence Scerri, Antoine Zahra and Udochukwu Nwoko.
- In a friendly match at the Training Grounds, Ta' Qali, the national team under the guide of Sigi Held defeated English Second Division side Crewe Alexandra 1-0, a goal by Chucks Nwoko fifteen minutes from time.
- Congolese stirker Rufin Oba has decided to quit playing in Malta and will be joining a club in Belgium. However according to a statement issued by Floriana FC, the Greens were not aware of his decision. The club claims that it was neither informed that Oba was leaving for Belgium nor that he wanted to leave the Club.
Although in past Oba had expressed his intention to continue his career in another country and even went for trials with the club's approval, it seems that now he had not informed Floriana about his contacts with this Belgian club. In fact Floriana were planning to confirm Oba together with Riad Mynel Gango-Rtsa as their only two foreigners for this season.
Brazilian striker Edoardo do Nascimento had earlier left the club to join Sliema Wanderers.
- Birkirkara registered an easy 5-0 win over newly-promoted Mosta in a friendly match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Nigerian Matthew Babayaro, who claims to be the brother of Chelsea's Celestine Babayaro, and Slovak striker Milan Strelec scored two goals each with Alan Tabone scoring the other goal. Strelec, who is 29 years old, was on the books of FC Dinaburg of Latvia after having played with Slovan Bratislava, FC Artmedia Petrzalka and FC Dac Dunjska Streda in Slovakia and Fortuna Dusseldorf in Germany. Besides Babayaro and Strelec, Birkirkara coach Stephen Azzopardi included Maltese-American Anthony Dimech and Nigerian Jeremiah.
Sun 21
- Following the release of Maczerob Okoro and the departure of Kamil Dvorak, a Nigerian player, Sunday Esi Oduko is expected to arrive in Malta for a trial with Valletta. Oduko was on the books of Italian Serie D side Casarano.
Sat 20
- Mosta made another important signing in their bid to strengthen their squad ahead of the coming Premier League campaign when then captured Valletta midfielder Clive Mizzi.
Last season, Mizzi was a key-player for Marsaxlokk and was even promoted to captain after joining the club on loan from the Citizens. The seasiders were hoping to retain him on another one year loan but Valletta were only interested in offering the player on a definite transfer.
Although Mizzi hails from Mosta, he started his career with Rabat Ajax where he played for six years before moving to Pietà Hotspurs in season 1996-97. After three years and a half, Clive Mizzi moved to Valletta. Midway through season 2000-01, he was loaned to Hamrun Spartans.
Clive Mizzi is the second player who starred for Marsaxlokk and who will be playing for Mosta this season. Earlier this month, Bulgarian defender/midfielder Angel Terzyski had joined the Blues.
- Floriana FC's appeal from the decision of the MFA Players and Coaches' Complaints Board which had ruled that Justin Haber was no longer a Floriana player will be heard next Tuesday. If the decision is confirmed by the MFA Appeals' Board, Justin Haber's registration could be filed in time for him to be able to play against Metalurh Zaporizhzhya in the UEFA Cup qualifying round.
Fri 19
- Rabat Ajax duo Cedric Caruana and Donovan Friggeri joined Floriana FC on loan. Caruana was already on loan with the Greens last season. On the other hand, midfielder Donovan Friggieri started the season with Rabat before being loaned to Marsa in December.
The two players have already started the pre-season training with Floriana who once again under the guide of former Rabat Ajax player-coach Ziya Yildiz.
- Rabat Ajax midfielder Keith Fenech, who was on loan with Birkirkara last season could make a surprise move to Valletta.
Although last week, Rabat Ajax and Birkirkara had reached an agreement over the payment of the transfer fee of Lm 15,000 and the settlement of the around Lm 3,000 in salaries which Rabat still owed him, Birkirkara's interest in the player seemed to cool down as they prepare to make a formal bid for George Mallia.
Valletta coach Dennis Fenech, who like Keith Fenech, hails from Mellieha, is insisting with the club to make a bid for the 26-year old midfielder. Officials from Valletta and Rabat Ajax are expected to meet early next week.
- Malta international defender Luke Dimech made his first appearance for Notts County in a friendly match against Hucknall which the Magpies won 2-1. Dimech was included in the starting line-up. Following a quiet first half when Dimech had to play as a right back, his performance improved a lot in the second when he played in midfield. The next game for Notts County is another friendly match against Ilkeston Town.
- Malta international striker Michael Mifsud was in action for Kaiserslautern against UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord in a match from the Alpen Cup tournament in Innsbruck. Mifsud was included in the starting line-up and was substituted on 70 minutes when Kaiserslautern were leading 1-0, a goal by Stefan Malz.
Kaiserslautern, who were beaten 6-2 by Fenerbache in another match from the tournament, host FK Teplice of Slovakia in first leg of the UEFA Intertoto Cup Third Round on Sunday. The return leg will be played on Saturday 27.
Thu 18
- In a friendly match, Birkirkara defeated Marsa 2-1. Sandro Gambin put Marsa ahead but the Stripes turned the score in their favour with goals by Chucks Nwoko and Matthew Babayaro. Babayaro together with another Nigerian player, Jeremiah, and Maltese-American Anthony Dimech are on trial with Birkirkara.
- Valletta received another major setback in their efforts for the coming season when Czech midfielder Kamil Dvorak left Malta to return back home. The 24-year old midfielder will be returning back to the Czech Republic where he will be joining a Division 2 side. Dvorak leaves Malta after two years with Valletta. In his first season, he managed to win all the honours local football could offer.
Having released Maczerob Okoro earlier this month, the Citizens are left with just one foreigner, Nigerian striker Chris Oretan. Two Nigerian players are now expected to join Valletta for a trial. The only signing for Valletta so far was that of the naturalised Maltese striker Daniel Bogdanovic. On the other hand, Jeffrey Chetcuti will be leaving the club to join Sliema.
- Following last weekend's 21 group matches which saw an impressive 164 goals being scored, the Cisk Export Beach Soccer Tour will be moving to Gozo's hottest beach, Ramla l-Hamra. The winner of this one day tournament will joing the remaining 15 teams for next week's finals in Ghajn Tuffieha.
Last weekend's schedule in Mellieha Bay saw a number of top clashes with some of them proving to be the best beach soccer encounters ever. The tournament was followed by a large number of spectators who packed the stands in Mellieha to support their respective teams.
At the end of the weekend's schedule, Mark Marlow of Team Beach won the Hawaiian Tropic Player of the week, Edwards George was awarded the Gatorade Save of the Week whilst the Urban Jungle Goal of the week was won by Glenn Barry.
The 15 teams qualifying to the final stage are Stars & Stripes, Escape, Zmegma, Swing Kids, Zirbi Radiators, Mercysiders, Team Beach, Flymates, Vertvoll Boys, Wicked Boys, Nazzar Tigers, Export Lions, Wiggles, Soccer Frenzy and Nazlab Llecarud.
Wed 17
- Champions League Hibernians vs Shelbourne 2-2
- Malta's Under 21 side, under the guidance of new coach Mark Miller, lost 0-1 to English Second Division side Crewe Alexandra in a friendly match at the Training Grounds, Ta' Qali.
- Malta international midfielder Antoine Zahra will be signing a new two-year contract with Birkirkara after reaching an agreement with the club. Another player who had not yet signed a new contract, Mark Anthony Bonnici, is now also expected to pledge his future to the Stripes.
Tue 16
- Champions Hibernians will be aiming for a win as they host Shelbourne FC of Ireland in the first leg of the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The Paolites, who will be sporting new kits by Teamsport following a three-year sponsorship agreement signed recently, are looking forward for a positive result which would put them in an ideal position to eliminate Shelbourne and qualify for the second qualifying round of the competition where they would meet Boavista of Portugal.
Hibernians coach Robert Gatt is expected to have the full squad at his disposal although Miguel Mifsud and Peter Pullicino are struggling to regain full fitness.
Coach Robert Gatt said his players lacked match fitness having played just two matches, losing 0-1 to Birkirkara and beating Sliema Wanderers 3-2.
On the other hand, after playing a series of friendly matches, Shelbourne started their league commitments with a defeat and a draw in the first two matches. They lost 3-0 to Cork City and then managed a 3-3 draw with Drogheda United at home.
Shelbourne player-manager Pat Fenlon cannot count on two players in his squad. Midfielder Davy Bryne is injured while prolific striker Stephen Geoghegan is suspended.
- Earlier this month, Malta international midfielder Stefan Giglio started pre-season training with CSKA Sofia, the club with whom he have been playing for the past 18 months.
After sacking Italian coach Gigi Simoni, CSKA Sofia are now under the guide of coach Asparuh Nikodimov.
So far they have played two friendly matches beating Yantra Gabrovo 4-1 and Botev Plovdiv 5-0. Against Botev Plovdiv, Stefan Giglio was one of the scorers when he scored the fifth goal on 70 minutes after being included as a substitute in the beginning of the second half. Nikodimov is using all the players in the squad during these friendly matches. In fact against Botev Plovdev, he used 21 players in all, replacing ten out of eleven players in half-time.
CSKA Sofia start their league commitments on August 10 against Spartak Varna. Five days later, they travel to Belarus where they face Dinamo Minsk in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
- Former Sliema Wanderers and Pietà Hotspurs midfielder Sandro Zammit Fava joined Floriana FC. In a statement, Floriana FC announced that the player has signed a three-year contract.
After eleven years with Sliema Wanderers, Zammit Fava left the Blues in summer 2001 to join Pietà Hotspurs, However he was released at the end of last season as he no longer formed part of the club's plans. Zammit Fava was also attracting the interest of Marsa FC.
- English Second Division side Crewe Alexandra have just started a one-week training camp in Malta.
The club usually toured Ireland but due to the early start of Ireland's season they would not be able to play any of the top sides. The decision to choose Malta ends their five-year stint of travelling to Dublin in the build-up to the season.
During their stay, Crewe will be playing against the Malta Under 21 side, now under the guidance of coach Mark Miller, on Wednesday while on Monday, they face the Malta national team.
Crewe manager Dario Gradi is expected to give several youngsters a chance to impress as Dave Walton, Dean Ashton and Efe Sodje were ruled out. Walton and Sodje are not fully fit while Ashton is playing for the England Under-19's in Norway.
Mon 15
- Birkirkara FC have decided against retaining the four foreign players who were on trial with the club in the past couple of weeks and who featured for the Stripes in the Lowenbrau Cup.
Czech duo Jaroslav Marx and Lubomir Knoflicek, Scottish midfielder Jay Stein and Anglo-Maltese Kevin Robinson were included in the first match against Hibernians and again against Sliema, except for Robinson. The club's official website www.birkirkarafc.com quotes chairman Victor Zammit as saying that only Marx had caught the club's attention.
Birkirkara are currently searching for a midfielder as a replacement for Joe Brincat. They are interested in obtaining Massimo Grima on a one-year loan although Sliema prefer a definite transfer.
In the mean time, Birkirkara are once again trying to lure George Mallia of Floriana. The Malta international striker is willing to leave the Greens if the right offer comes through. Mallia carries a price-tag of around Lm20,000 which Floriana want in cash.
- Twenty-one year old Brazilian defender Renato Garcia arrived in Malta on Sunday in order to join Sliema for their UEFA Cup commitments.
Garcia, who is a central defender, will be filling the gap left open by Luke Dimech who moved to the UK and which Sliema were hoping to fill with Floriana's Congolese defender Riad Mynel Gango Rtsa. However the Greens rejected Sliema's offer for a two-month loan of the player.
Sliema already have another three foreigners in squad - Nigerian goalkeeper Murphy Akanji, Yugoslav striker Danilo Doncic and Brazilian striker Eduardo do Nascimento. For their UEFA Cup commitments, local clubs are allowed to sign up to five foreigners.
Meanwhile after transferring Reggie Cini to Marsaxlokk on a one-year loan, Sliema Wanderers are interested in Marsa goalkeeper Jason Cordina.
The former Marsa captain could join the Blues in exchange for Stefano Grima, who has been on loan with the Red-Blues for the past two years. Otherwise Cordina could join Sliema on a one-year loan.
Marsa lost their other goalkeeper, Ivan Casha, who returned with Hamrun. Their goalkeepers are now Jimmy Micallef (ex-Mosta), Sandro Micallef (ex-Marsaxlokk) and Simon Giordimaina.
Sun 14
- The Malta Football Association once again held its annual pre-season three day seminar for its match referees and assistant referees. This FIFA sponsored course was run by the well-esteemed vice-chairman of the UEFA Referees Committee and FIFA Lecturer Mr. Ken Ridden. This is not the first time that Mr Ridden came over to Malta to discuss and to strengthen the interpretation of the Laws of the Game among the local match officials.
Although Mr Ridden dealt with refereeing techniques and various aspects of the game, his main emphasis was on the interpretation of various offences in Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct), the courage an official must have and the trust that must exist among all the officials controlling a match.
As Mr Ridden said, it is not enough for officials to know the Laws of the Game. They must know how to apply them correctly without fear or favour. A referee who can recite the Laws of the Game by heart but is unable to go onto the field of play and apply them, is no referee at all.
Courage is also paramount. One of the worst things for a match official is a lack of courage, his inability to decide quickly and correctly or his fear of awarding a free kick for something he has seen will be his downfall.
Trust is another important factor. The match officials as a whole must act as one team. They must be prepared for anything that may happen on the field of play and must also help each other. However it is also the referee who must take the decision. He is the sole arbiter while others are there to assist him.
During the seminar Mr Ridden expressed his confidence in Maltese referees. He disclosed that he has seen them many times officiating away from Malta and he was impressed by their performances and their ability to mix well with others. Mr Ridden said that although coming from a small country, Maltese officials can still make an impact on the world stage such as Assistant Referee Emmanuel Zammit in both the World and European Cups. There are others coming up in the fast lane and they also have the ability to do well.
In the absence of the MFA President Dr Mifsud who was abroad on UEFA duties, Mr Carmel Bartolo, Senior V/President of the Malta FA, opened the Seminar on Thursday evening, July 11. Other interventions during the Seminar came from National Coach, Sigi Held who dealt on referees/coaches relations, journalist Pierre Cassar who dilated on Press Criticism and coach Euchar Grech who talked about the Physical Preparation. During the Seminar all participants (the Top Division referees, First and Second Class referees as well as the Match Inspectors) had ample time to discuss the subjects covered during the Group discussions.
Mr Tom A. Restall, Head Referees' Dept. was the co-ordinator of this very successful Seminar held at the Conference Hall of the Centenary Stadium, at Ta' Qali.
- The Gozo Football Association last week presented the awards to the best players in the various categories in the GFA competitions.Zebbug Rovers midfielder Mario Azzopardi was voted GFA Player of the Year for 2001/2002 while Pavel Mraz of Nadur Youngsters was named Best Foreign Player.
Joseph Sultana of Xaghra United was voted Best Player in Division 2 while Joseph Buttigieg (Ghajnsielem) and Charles Mercieca (St. Lawrence Spurs) were presented with the awards for the Most Promising Youngsters.
Victor Egere of Victoria Hotspurs and John Camilleri of Xaghra United were the top scorers in Divisions 1 and 2 respectively.
Alex Tramboo (Gozo FC) and Johann Attard (Xaghra) were voted Best Under 21 players.
Sat 13
- Two Nigerian players are set to join Marsa as the Red-Blues released three foreigners who formed part of last season's squad.
Nigerian midfielder Minabo Asechemie, who joined the club in November, will be moving to Italy. Italy will also be the destination for Nigerian teenage striker, Anthony Evi Parker, who started the season with Marsa but was then loaned to Nadur Youngsters in Gozo where he had impressive performances with the champions. Brazilian striker Fabio Cardoso do Nascimento, who scored seven goals in 16 league appearances for Marsa was also released and he is expected to move to another country. Bulgarian defender Nikolai Slavtchev is therefore the only foreigner to be confirmed.
On the local front, Marsa reached an agreement with Naxxar Lions midfielders Sandro Gambin and Victor Bellia. The former was on loan with Hamrun Spartans last season.
They are also trying to secure the services of Floriana defender Richard Buhagiar who was on loan with Sliema Wanderers last season. Liam Mangion and Gordon Camenzuli, who both played for Lija Athletic last season are also linked with the Red Blues.
- The Pietà Hotspurs squad will be leaving Malta next Monday as they go for a 15-day training camp in Italy, near Lecce. The Hotspurs, now under the guide of coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, assisted by Freddie Cutajar and Ronald Vella, are expected to play two friendly matches during their stay.
The Hotspurs have been strengthened with the arrival of Australian midfielder Mirko Jurilj and are close to signing two Brazilian players. These will replace Nulgarian defender Metodi Metodiev and Welsh midfielder Paul Seaman. From the local market, attempts to lure Danilo Doncic, Noel Turner and Joseph Farrugia were in vain. However the club is working hard to sign promising youngsters.
Fri 12
- Lowenbrau Cup Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 0-2
- Hamrun Spartans and Marsa were banned from entering the transfer market after both clubs failed to honour decisions of the Players and Coaches Complaints Board and the Board of Arbitration.
A number of prohibitions were imposed on Hamrun Spartans after the club failed to honour decisions of the Board of Arbitration and the Players and Coaches Complaints Board regarding payments to players and other clubs. Hamrun were severely reprimanded and ordered to pay 8% interest on Lm1,250 to Hibernians as from May 14 in connection with the transfer of Stefan Sultana and another 8% interest on Lm1,250 to Hibernians as from January 6 in connection with the same transfer.
Hamrun were severely reprimanded and ordered to pay 8% interest on Lm1,000 due to Naxxar as from April 1 in connection with the transfer of Sandro Gambin and 8% interest on two sums of Lm 100 due to Rabat in connection with the transfer of Josef Briffa.
The Spartans were found guilty of failing to honour a decision of the Players and Complaints Board over the payment of Lm 1,420 to Matthew Galea, two payments of Lm 800 to Nikolai Kirilov and a payment of Lm 6,675 to Sinisa Radak. The Spartans have to pay 8% interest on these sums to Galea, Kirilov and Radak.
A prohibition was also imposed on Marsa FC after they failed to honour a decision of the Players and Coaches Complaints Board over the payment of Lm 4,500 due to coach Lolly Aquilina. Marsa were severely reprimanded and will have to pay 8% interest on the sum as from June 16.
Hibs president Tony Bezzina and coach Robert Gatt were fined Lm 30 each for passing on injurious comments on the control of the referee following the Super Cup final between Hibs and Birkirkara. the club was also severely reprimanded.
Thu 11
- Notts County could sign Malta international defender Luke Dimech as the Magpies try to strengthen their squad and especially their defence.
The Nottingham Evening Post reports that manager Billy Dearden could swoop for Luke Dimech as he attempts to fend off a potential defensive crisis at Notts County.
Dearden said "We have taken him on trial to have a good look at him and, up to now, he has looked okay. In training he has really got stuck in and seems to have the right attitude. But we haven't seen a lot of him with the ball yet and, obviously, you can't really make a judgement about anyone until they have played in a match."
The 25-year old Malta international defender, who had started his career with Lincoln City as a youth-team player, joined Notts County on a one month trial and is expected to star for the Magpies in two friendies against Hucknall Town and Ilkeston Town before the team goes for a pre-season tour of Cornwall.
"Central defence is obviously one area we are looking to strengthen, simply because we are short of numbers. His versatility could come in useful as well. But, these are very early days and we are still to see what he is capable of.
"And, more to the point, if we do decide we like the look of him, we will have to go to the administrators and see if there is the money there to sign him. So there is obviously a long way to go."
Notts County are the oldest surviving Football League club, having been in existence for 140 years, but mounting debts exacerbated by the lack of television money due to the collapse of ITV Digital have resulted in the administrators being called in at Meadow Lane.
- Former Valletta and Malta international goalkeeper Reggie Cini joined newly-promoted Marsaxlokk. Cini joins the seasiders on a one-year loan.
The 31-year old goalkeeper had joined Sliema in September after over 20 years with the Citizens. In fact, he had started playing for Valletta since he was a young boy. Last season, he was Sliema's second-choice goalkeeper behind Nigerian keeper Murphy Akanji.
Meanwhile Marsaxlokk are close to sealing the transfer of Under 21 midfielder Joseph Farrugia from Sliema on another one-year loan. Farrugia would become the fifth player to join Marsaxlokk from Sliema. The Blues had earlier loaned Brandon Zammit and Trevor Templeman while Kevin Farrugia left Sliema to join Marsaxlokk on a free-transfer.
- Malta will be facing amateur teams from Holland, Northern Ireland and Portugal in Group 7 of the third edition of the UEFA Regions Cup. The group will be played in Holland. Malta will be represented by a national team of amateur players since the competition is open only to amateur players between 19 and 35 years of age.All the matches in the qualifying round will be played in the form of a mini-tournament, which should take place between 1 August and 31 December this year.
Launched to promote amateur football at international level, the Regions' Cup also aims to promote the amateur game at national level.
In the UEFA Regions Cup 1999, the Gozo Amateur selection suffered heavy defeats to Zapadne Srbije (YUG) 0-4, Israel Amateur 0-6 amd Macedonia (GRE) 2-8. In the UEFA Regions Cup 2001-02, the Malta Amateur team lost 0-1 to Dalmatia (CRO) and 0-5 to Abruzzo (Italy).
- After the official opening on Friday night with some exhibition matches, the Cisk Export Beach Soccer Tour kicked off with the first 19 group matches which produced 128 goals at Golden Bay.
In the inaugural match, which was played under artificial lights, Export Lions defeated Swing Kids 3-1. In this 'champions' clash, Export Lions showed they have the same ambitions of last year. Trevor Thomas, their best player, scored two goals after Justin Camilleri had opened the Lions' account. Swing Kids started the game on a low but after conceding the first goal, they made a prompt reaction to level the game by a fine strike from James Gregory. Swing Kids were also unlucky to hit the post on a number of occasions.
As in past editions, there are the weekly awards with Export Lions' Andrew Cohen collecting the Urban Jungle Goal of the Week and the Hawaiian Tropic Player of the Week and Dominic Cassar of Mercysiders winning the Gatorade Save of the Week.
The tour will now move to Mellieha Bay where the last group matches will take place.
Ten matches will be played on Friday and another 10 on Sunday to confirm the 15 teams that will join the finals.
Wed 10
- Lowenbrau Cup Sliema W. vs Hibernians 2-3
- Australian midfielder Mirko Jurilj will be one of the three foreigners for Pietà Hotspurs after reaching a one-year agreement with the club. This signing arrives following a "direct order" of new Pietà coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia who was impressed by his performance for Paramatta Melita Eagles.
It was with the Maltese-Australian club that Jurilj made his "comeback from hell" after a nightmare experience in Singapore where he ended up serving 100 days in jail. He had started his career with Sydney United and after several stints in Asia playing for clubs in Malaysia and Singapore, he was back with Sydney United. After starting season 1999/2000 with them in the National Soccer League, in Febraury 2000, he moved to Singapore once again to join Sembawang Rangers in the Singapore top division the S-League.
In Singapore, Jurilj and another German player were befriended by a man who introduced himself as a freelance golf instructor. After some time, this man told them he liked to bet on football matches and asked them for their opinions on upcoming matches.
The man was being tracked by Singapore's anti-corruption authority, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and when they closed in on him he sought to implicate Jurilj and his German friend. Jurilj was alleged by his prosecutors, on the basis of evidence supplied by the freelance golf instructor, to have asked for three bets totalling $22,000 to be placed.
Jurilj and his colleague were interrogated for more than 40 hours, in separate rooms, before a panicked Jurilj signed a confession he claims he was promised would see him set free. The confession brought him undone in court, however, when it blew away his plea of innocence.
The outcome of his trial had been pre-determined and although there were no clear evidence, he was sentenced to prison. His lawyer, Eugenie Buckley, claimed it was a case of major scapegoating with the Singapore authorities focussing on foreign players plaing in the league in their efforts to fight the corruption associated with illegal betting on Singapore football.
Fortunately for Mirko Jurilj, FIFA dismissed an application by the Singapore FA and the Asian Football Confederation to have a life-ban on Jurilj extended worldwide.
- After playing for the past five years at the Molineux, Maltese-Australian right back Kevin Muscat left Wolves to join Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers on a free transfer. Muscat, who is an Australian international, signed a four-year deal with Rangers.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Muscat revealed he left Wolves in search of a "fresh challenge" after admitting that he had "grown stale" at Molineux. The Australia international revealed that Wolves turned down an approach for his services from Alex McLeish's side last summer.
He said: "I'd grown stale and a bit complacent after five good years at Wolves and I needed a fresh challenge. That's why I left. Rangers first came in for me at the start of last season but nothing happened. I'm glad it has now.
"It was an offer too good to refuse. The club didn't need any selling and I'm grateful for the opportunity. The only thing I've won in football was promotion from the English First Division with Crystal Palace and I'm hungry for a lot more than that before I retire."
- The Malta Football Association will be organising a Seminar for Referees from 11th to 14th July, 2002, at the Conference Hall of the Centenary Hall of the Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali.
Mr Ken Ridden, who will be one of the main speakers during this seminar, is a member of the UEFA Referees Committee since 1956 and Vice Chairman since 2002. He has been a FIFA Lecturer since 1968
and Director of Refereeing with the English FA since 1977. Ridden was a Member of the International FA Board 1982-2000 and was also awarded the UEFA Order of Merit at the 2002 UEFA Congress. He also conducted seminars for referees, coaches, examiners and assessors world wide.
Tue 9
- Champions Hibernians will be starting their defence of the Premier League title won last season against newly-promoted Marsaxlokk in the weekend between August 24 and 26. This emerged from the draws of the national leagues of the Malta Football Association which were held on Tuesday at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali.
Sliema Wanderers will be facing Pietà Hotspurs while Rothmans Trophy winners Birkirkara meet Marsa. The other team promoted from Division 1, Mosta face Valletta in their opening match while Floriana vs Hamrun Spartans completes the programme of Day 1.
Speaking during a press conference, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said that the Premier League and the other leagues will be retaining the same format used last season. However changes in the format of Divisions 2 and 3 could be in the pipeline as a commission will soon be studying this matter.
Besides the Lowenbrau Cup and Super 5 Cup, only the Youth Leagues and Knock-Outs and the Women's League and Knock-Out have a sponsor - HSBC. The Premier League and the other national championships from the First to the Third Division together with the FA Trophy and the Super Cup are yet without a sponsor.
This season there will be no Reserves League. Most of the clubs in the Premier League were showing hardly any interest. On the other hand, a survey was conducted amongst the other clubs and the result of this survey prompted the association to scrap the competition.
The programme for the leagues and knock-outs was devised in a way to accomodate the participation of the national teams in five competitions organised by UEFA: the European Championship EURO 2004, the Under 21 Championship, the Under 19 Championship, the Under 17 Championship and the UEFA Regions Cup. An amateur national team will be taking part in this competition.
Dr Mifsud also spoke about the attendances for competitive matches last season. He said that although their was a decrease in the overall number, mainly due to the fact that Kartanzjan holders are no longer granted free entrance to the National Stadium, there was a slight increase for Premier League matches.
Meanwhile the two teams who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, Lija Athletic and Naxxar Lions, were drawn to face each other in one of the opening matches in Division 1. Balzan Youths meet Second Division champions Msida St. Joseph while Senglea Athletic who were also promoted from Division 2 face Rabat Ajax. Mqabba meet St. Patrick while Xghajra Tornadoes will have to travel to Gozo to face Gozo FC. The First Division kicks-off on September 8 with the first five matches and comes to an end on April 27.
The opening matches in Division 2 are: San Gwann vs Mellieha, Dingli S. vs Luqa SA, Zurrieq vs Gzira U., Qormi vs Zebbug R., St. Andrew's vs Vittoriosa S. and Tarxien R. vs Attard. The Second Division kicks-off on September 28 and comes to an end on May 18.
On the other hand, the fixtures for Day 1 in the Third Division are Gharghur vs Melita, Mgarr U. vs Birzebbuga SP, Pembroke A. vs Fgura U., Gudja U. vs Ghaxaq, Ta' Xbiex vs Siggiewi, St. George's vs Sirens, Kirkop U. vs Zejtun C. and Sta. Lucia vs Sta. Venera L. Division 3 kicks-off on September 27 and comes to an end on May 19.
The eight groups in the Second and Third Division Knock-Out are as follows:
Group 1: San Gwann, Dingli S., Gharghur, Mgarr U.; Group 2: Mellieha, Luqa SA, Melita, Birzebbuga SP; Group 3: Zurrieq, Qormi, Pembroke A., Gudja U.; Group 4: Gzira U., Zebbug R., Fgura U., Ghaxaq; Group 5: St. Andrew's, Ta' Xbiex, St. George's; Group 6: Vittoriosa S., Siggiewi, Sirens; Group 7: Tarxien R., Kirkop U., Sta. Lucia; Group 8: Attard, Zejtun C., Sta. Venera L. The first matches are programmed for September 6.
Mon 8
- Lowenbrau Cup Birkirkara vs Hibernians 1-0
Sun 7
- Adrian Mifsud and Hibernians claimed the largest number of honours in the first edition of The Westin Malta Football Awards which was held on Saturday night.
Mifsud, who was earlier voted MFA Footballer of the Year, won the awards for Best Striker and Best Local Player.
Other awards for Hibernians were those of Best Midfielder for Essien Mbong, Best Goalkeeper for Mario Muscat, Best Coach for Robert Gatt and Best Foreign Player for Ndubisi Chukunyere.
Birkirkara defender Lucien Dronca was voted Best Defender while Mauro Brincat of Hamrun Spartans was voted Most Promising Youngster. Lorry Sammut claimed the award for the Best Match Official while on a much lighter note, Lija Athletic defender Liam Mangion won the award for the Gaffe of the Year (L-Aqwa Paprata).
- Malta international defender Jeffrey Chetcuti is on the verge of joining Sliema Wanderers after the Citizens gave their consent for the transfer.
Up to a few days ago, Valletta were opposing the move. However Chetcuti, who is owed Lm 18,000 by the club and who was ready to buy the transfer himself, threatened to take the case in front of the MFA Players and Coaches' Complaints Board.
Sliema Wanderers will be paying a transfer fee according to the parameters established by the MFA. However the possibility of the inclusion of a player as part of the deal is not ruled out. Sliema were offering Massimo Grima while Valletta are interested in Nenad Veselji.
Meanwhile, Ivan Zammit has reached an agreement with Valletta over a one-year contract. Zammit was one of the players who had not accepted the new conditions offered by the club as part of a new wage-restructuring policy.
Czech Republic midfielder Kamil Dvorak is expected to sign a new contract as well after his previous contract expired while Darren Debono, who was also linked with a transfer to Sliema Wanderers, could after all stay with the Citizens.
Sat 6
- Malta Under 21 goalkeeper Justin Haber is free to join another club following a decision of the Players and Coaches' Complaints Board of the Malta Football Association. The board turned down a case filed by Floriana FC who claimed that the player was still property of the club and was therefore not eligible to move to another club.
The board argued that Haber was unaware of a regulation which stated that once a player signed for a club before the age of 21, he was bound for three years. Therefore his registration filed following his return from a six-month loan with SK Dobrudzha in Bulgaria was declared to be invalid and he was entitled to the right of transfer.
Floriana have three days to appeal from this decision and in fact the Greens will be appealing on the basis that "what was supposed to have been an open and shut case in favour of Floriana FC turned down to be a very controversial decision which went against MFA Regulations 76 (i)", as a statement on the club's official website www.florianafc.com states.
If the decision is confirmed, this would pave the way for Justin Haber to join Birkirkara FC. According to the MFA parameters, Haber is worth around Lm6,000. Floriana have the right to receive cash-on-transfer.
Fri 5
- Hibernians striker Adrian Mifsud was presented with the Footballer of the Year Award during the annual presentation of honours of the Malta Football Association which was held at the Centenary Hall on Friday.
The Best Players, Top Scorers and Fair Play awards for the various leagues and sections together with other league and knock-out cups and trophies were presented by MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud.
Also present for the ceremony were Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Jesmond Mugliett and the general manager of Central Cigarette Company Limited, Ronnie Abela.
In his speech, Dr Mifsud spoke about the various competitions which were organised during the season. Pointing out on the fact that this was the last time, Rothmans were sponsoring football following the ban on sponsorship of sports events by tobacco companies after new legislation by government, the MFA president said that this could turn out to be a big financial burden on the association. Dr Mifsud said that still, Central Cigarette Co Ltd will try to help the MFA when possible. In fact, it was the first firm to lease an executive box in the new Millennium Stand.
Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett admitted that in such a small country like Malta, finding sponsors is no easy task and therefore one should thank Rothmans for sponsoring not only football but also other sports events throughout the years.
Thu 4
- Raymond Vella leads the voting in the category reserved for the Most Popular Player of all times in the first edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards which will be held on July 6. The partial televoting result, as at Wednesday night, gives an indication that it will be a close battle between Raymond Vella "il-Mundu" and Carmel Busuttil.
Vella leads the vote by 55% compared to Carmel Busuttil's 26%. The other two players in this category are Salvino Schembri u Tony Nicholl. Lines will be open until Wednesday July 10 at 11:00 when the event will be televised on Net TV. The winner of the award will be announced and presented during a press conference late next week. Those who take part in the televoting will have the opportunity to win 80 prizes including original shirts of all Premier clubs.
The televoting numbers are: Tony Nicholl : 500 43241; Salvino Schembri : 500 43242; Raymond Vella : 500 43243; Carmel Busuttil: 500 43244.
Meanwhile former Lazio player Vincenzo D'Amico, who is now a commentator for RAI and who will be one of the distinguised guests for the event, will arrive in Malta on Friday.
During the final night of the Westin Malta Football Awards, nine players, coaches and officials will be awarded for their performance during season 2001/02 while another award will be reserved for the Gaffe of the Season (L-Aqwa Paprata). There are two nominees in this category. The struggle for the awards will be mainly between players coming from Hibernians, Birkirkara and Sliema who all have several nominees. Hibs have the argest number of nominees, eight.
Wed 3
- The third consecutive edition of the Cisk Export Beach Soccer Tour will kick-off this weekend at Golden Bay. This year's event will be spread over a period of four weekends where the tournament will be moving to Mellieha Bay, Ramla Bay in Gozo and will finish off again in Golden Bay on Sunday 28th July.
Golden Bay will in fact host the first matches on Friday 5th and will continue throughout the weekend. A number of exhibition matches will be ushering this year's tournament namely a match between TV celebrities and Masters beach soccer players at 9:00pm followed by a friendly match between the 2000 champions Swing Kids and last year winners Export Lions, under artificial lights.
Speaking about the tournament, Mr Alex Spiteri from Sports Target, the organisers of the event stated that "having reached its third consecutive year, the beach soccer tour goes to prove the high interest that sport is generating in Malta. The participating teams are well preparing for this year success, and we are sure that we will be entertained by an improved level of beach soccer."
Ivan Filletti, from Cisk Export, again official sponsors of the event, said "the fact that this is the third edition we are sponsoring shows our commitment to Beach Soccer. Cisk Export is today also a World Championship winning Beer. In fact Cisk Export was a Gold award winner at the World Beer Cup 2002 and Gold Medal Winner at the Australian Beer Awards."
As in previous editions of the Cisk Export Beach Soccer Tour, this year's winning team will automatically participate in an international beach soccer tournament due to be held on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu. In this tournament, a first ever European Championships for amateur teams, European teams, winners of their respective local beach soccer competitions will challenge each other to win the title of the European Beach Soccer Champion. Other participating teams hail from Holland, Italy, Austria, Greece, France amongst others.
- Floriana have rejected a request by Sliema Wanderers to take Congolese defender Riad Mynel Gango-Rtsa on a two-month loan in view of the UEFA Cup commitements against Polonia Warszawa. The decision was taken following a meeting of the club's executive committee.
The Floriana FC official website www.florianafc.com reports that Floriana said that this decision was based on the principle that the club does not agree on short term loans of players. The Greens also deplored the fact that Sliema approached Gango-Rtsa for his services prior to obtaining consent from the Floriana FC committee.
The player had already reached a verbal agreement with the Blues and even attended a training session under the guidance of new Sliema coach Edward Aquilina.
- Malta climbed another place in the FIFA Rankings as published on Wednesday. Malta is now joint 116th with Azerbaijan who moved down two places. The national team has therefore improved its ranking by fifteen places in seven months since the locals stood in the 131st place last December.
Just ahead of Malta are Guinea (110th); Malaysia, Panama and Singapore (joint 111th); Malawi (114th) and Turkmenistan (115th). Behind Malta is Libya (118th), Madagascar (119th) and the Faroe Islands (120th).
Among the other European countries, Malta is 46th. Latvia (96), Lithuania (98), Armenia (101), the latest addition to UEFA - Kazakhstan (102) and Moldova (103). Behind Malta are the Faroe Islands, Andorra (141), Luxembourg (145), Liechtenstein (150) and San Marino (159).
Malta's next international commitment is a friendly match on August 21, probably against Macedonia in Skopje. This match should act as a warm-up for the forthcoming EURO 2004 commitments against Slovenia in September, Israel and France in October and Cyprus in November.
Tue 2
- Season 2002-2003 will be kicking-off on Monday July 8 with the first competition - the Lowenbrau Cup - which puts against each other the three teams taking part in the main UEFA competitions. The competition will be held at such an early date in order to provide the three teams at least two competitive matches before taking part in Europe. In fact less than a week later, Hibernians host Shelbourne of Ireland in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.
Rothmans Trophy winners Birkirkara and Premier League champions Hibernians face each other in the first match on Monday at the Hibernians Ground. The third team in the competition, Sliema Wanderers face the loser of the first game on Wednesday 10 while on Friday, the Blues meet the winners of the first game. In case of a draw between Birkirkara and Hibs, Sliema meet Birkirkara on Wednesday and Hibernians on Friday.
Speaking during a press-conference before the draws, Dr Paul Debattista, for Lowenbrau, said that this was competition was coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Lowenbrau Brewery in Malta. He said his company started sponsoring sports activities right from the beginning and the sponsorship of this competition is a result of the friendship and cooperation between the MFA and Lowenbrau. In fact, the sponsorhip agreement has been renewed for another three years and now covers 2002, 2003 and 2004.
MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud started by thanking Lowenbrau and congratulating them for the tenth anniversary. Mifsud said that since this competition is meant to help clubs in preparing for their participation in UEFA competitions, it was felt that it should be held at this stage in order to give the three teams the opportunity to play two competitive matches.
Mon 1
- Three foreigners are set to start a trial with Birkirkara in the coming days as the Stripes aim to strengthen their side in view of the UEFA Cup commitments and the forthcoming season. According to the club's official website www.birkirkarafc.com, the players are Scottish midfielder Jay Stein and Czech duo Lubomir Knoflicek and Jaroslav Marx.
Knoflicek, a 31-year old attacking midfielder, played for top Czech Republic sides Dukla Praha, Bohemians Praha and Banik Ostrava while Jaroslav Marx, who is a 30-year old striker, played for Banik Ostrava. On the other hand, Stein is a 23-year-old midfielder who played for Raith Rovers in the Scottish First Division.
Birkirkara currently have just one foreign player on their books, Romanian defender Lucian Dronca. The contract of Yugoslav goalkeeper Robert Savic was not renewed and therefore the Stripes could sign up to two players for the Premier League and up to another two for their UEFA Cup matches.
Meanwhile the Stripes have renewed the contracts of Michael Spiteri and Justin Tellus. Spiteri missed out most of last season due a long-term injury while Tellus was loaned to Marsa in December. Antoine Zahra, who is currently out of contract, is also expected to renew his contract in the coming days although Sliema are interested in obtaining his services.
- Following the signing of Birkirkara and Malta international midfielder Joe Brincat, Sliema Wanderers continued to strengthen their side with the signing of Brazilian striker Eduardo do Nascimento and Czech midfielder Pavel Mraz.
Eduardo do Nascimento joins the Blues from eternal rivals Floriana after his contract was not renewed by the Greens. Bizu is believed to have signed a two-year contract and is set to replace Orosco Anonam who moved to Cyprus champions APOEL Nicosia.
On the other hand, Czech midfielder Pavel Mraz signed a short-term contract with Sliema and is set to fill the gap left wide open by the suspended Carlo Mamo on the left flank in the Lowenbrau Cup and the UEFA Cup. Mraz's contract expired at the end of August. Last season, he played for Gozo champions Nadur Youngsters.
Meanwhile the Blues seem close to reaching an agreement over the transfer of Nigerian-born defender Chris Okoh from Pietà Hotspurs. Okoh, who also played a number of matches for the national team, was on loan with Birkirkara last season.