May 2003
Sat 31
- Forty-nine promising top young footballers battled it out for the title of winner of the second edition of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2003. This event, organised by the Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta (CSCM) with the aim of discovering new young Maltese football talent, was held on Saturday at the Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali.
Sponsored by Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, the Challenge featured talented young soccer players, born in 1990 and 1991, from 22 local Youth Nursery Clubs.
These included Youth Nurseries from B'Kara FC; Fgura United; Floriana FC; Ghajnsielem FC; Hamrun FC; Kercem Ajax; Kirkop United; Melita FC; Mosta FC; Msida St Joseph FC; Nadur Youngsters; Paola Hibs FN; Pembroke Athleta; Pietà Hotspurs; Qormi FC; San Gwann FC; Sliema Wanderers FC; St. Patrick's FC; St. Andrews Luxol; Sta. Venera; Tarxien Rainbows and Valletta FC.
The Adjudicating panel consisted of three established Maltese coaches Jimmy Briffa, Edward Aquilina, and Robert Kelly.
Chelsea FC official, Shaun Michael Gore, who is the Director of Football in the Community, travelled to Malta specifically for this event. He was invited to Malta by Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta to assist the adjudicating panel. At the end of the competition Mr Gore gave a 30-minute special training session to all participants.
The Challenge ended with the Presentation of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge Shield and Prizes. Each participant was presented with a Certificate and a medal from Chelsea FC.
Emirates District Manager, Paul Fleri Soler presented the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge Shield to Miguel Ciantar, a young player from Sliema Wanderers FC Youth Nursery. He has been coached by Claude Chetcuti who coaches the Under 12s. Miguel Ciantar has also won the Under 12 category of the Challenge. This is the second time that Sliema Wanderers Youth Nursery won the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge.
The runner-up of this second edition was Andreas Galea who also won the Under 11 category. He has been coached by Victor Cumbo from B'Kara Youth Nursery. Each winner received a trophy and a prize of Lm100 worth of Chelsea FC branded goods. Both winning Nursery Clubs Sliema Wanderers FC YN, and Birkirkara FC YN received Lm100 in cash to purchase equipment for their respective nurseries.
Mr Fleri Soler while congratulating the winners, said: "We are delighted to sponsor this original football event for the second year running and strengthening our partnership with Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta and Chelsea FC. We are pleased to play a significant role inencouraging new talent among the young Maltese footballers." Emirates is the official sponsor of Chelsea FC, following a deal worth £24 million, which runs for four years. This deal is said to be one of the biggest sponsorships in the world of international football.
Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta President, Joe Anastasi said: "On behalf of Chelsea Football Club, the Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta and the Organising Committee, I would like to thank the participating Youth Nurseries, the coaches and the young participants who have showed enthusiasm and dedication as well as remarkable talent. For the second successive year, Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta has done every effort to make this Challenge a successful one."
"A special mention goes to Chris Micallef, the Event co-ordinator for his constant support and dedication, our helpers, who are members of CSCM, and our guest Mr Shaun Gore. A special credit also goes to Kennedy Nova Hotel for their extended support," concluded Mr Anastasi.
This year CSCM also organised a separate competition for boys of same age group, whose parents are members of the Supporters Club. The CSCM Membership trophy was awarded to Stephen Micallef, a participant from the Under 12 category.
Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge was organised with the approval of the Malta Football Association and was supported by Chelsea FC.
Fri 30
- Malta national coach Sigi Held named a provisional 21-man squad in view of the next EURO 2004 qualifier against Cyprus at Ta' Qali.
This will be the sixth clash between the two countries, but only the second competitive match. Malta only managed to beat Cyprus once in a friendly in Limassol back in 1988 with two matches ending in a draw and the other two ending in wins for Cyprus, one being last November's 2-1 win in Nicosia.
MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said Malta should aim at obtaining its first points following six defeats in which Malta suffered 20 goals scoring just two.
Sigi Held argued a positive result is possible if the players are determined enough.
Defenders Ian Ciantar of champions Sliema Wanderers and Valletta duo Darren Debono and Daniel Theuma are ruled out injured while Sliema's Jeffrey Chetcuti is still struggling to regain full fitness.
Sliema midfielder Joe Brincat is part of the squad although he failed to play for his club in their last three outings. Brincat had already made it clear that this would be the last appearance in the national team. The 33-year old midfielder played 102 matches so far in the red shirt.
A return would be that of Valletta midfielder Gilbert Agius. Agius returned for Valletta after being ordered to rest for three months due to a nagging groin injury. Held said Agius has now been training regularly and should be part of the final squad although, he would not guarantee a starting-place for the Valletta player.
The squad is therefore made up of
goalkeepers Saviour Darmanin (Pietà), Mario Muscat (Hibernians);
defenders William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), David Carabott (Valletta), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema), Luke Dimech (Birkirkara), Carlo Mamo and Brian Said (Sliema), Simon Vella (Airdrie - SCO);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Joe Brincat and David Camilleri (Sliema), Stefan Giglio (Lokomotiv Sofia), Jonathan Holland (Floriana), Miguel MIfsud (Hibernians), Noel Turner (Sliema) and
forwards Daniel Bogdanovic (Cherno More - BUL), Malcolm Licari (Pietà), Noel Turner (Sliema), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Adrian Mifsud (Hibernians), Michael MIfsud (Kaiserslautern) and Chucks Nwoko (Birkirkara).
On Friday, Mark Miller's Under 21 side faces Cyprus at the Hibernians Ground in another match from the UEFA Under 21 Championship qualifiers.
Officials for the match between the senior sides are from the FA of Austria. The referee is Bernhard Brugger who will be assisted by Norbert Schwab and Franz Maislinger and fourth official Richard Kern. Officials from Georgia will control the Under-21 clash - referee Merab Malagouradze, assistant referees Guram Chigogidze and Lasha Silagava and fourth official Levan Paniashvili.
Wed 28
- Birkirkara FC have terminated the contract of Congolese midfielder Rufin Oba with immediate effect.
The Congolese midfielder had signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Stripes last January after a short spell in Belgium. However Birkirkara had an option to terminate his contract in May of each year.
Rufin Oba's performances with Birkirkara were only a shadow of what one was used to when he played for Floriana and therefore this decision came as no surprise.
Oba may make a return to Floriana especially now that the proposed merger between Pietà Hotspurs and Floriana has been ruled out.
- The MFA is organising a lottery for the benefit of residents of Malta and Gozo purchasing any type of match ticket, except children's tickets, of the Euro 2004 Qualification match Malta v Cyprus. In order that a resident of Malta may participate in this lottery, he must fill in the appropriate stub included in the ticket and deposit it in one of the appropriate containers provided at all Stadium entrances on the occasion of the match Malta vs Cyprus of the 7th June, 2003.
The lottery draw will take place during the half-time of the match Malta vs Cyprus in the presence of a representative of the Government Department of Public Lotto.
The first drawn stub will entitle the person named on the stub to receive a Balay Automatic Washing Machine; the second drawn stub will entitle the winner to receive a Vacuum Cleaner; and the third drawn stub will entitle the winner to receive a Microwave Oven.
Match ticket prices are as follows:
West Stand Side A and C (Enclosure) - Lm4.00,
Millennium Stand - Lm3.00,
Ladies, Kartanzjan Holders and Persons with
Special Needs Card Holders (in West Side C and
Millennium Stand only) - Lm2.00,
Persons on Wheelchair (in Millennium Stand only) (*) - Free,
Children (U/12) (in West C and Millennium Stand only) - Lm1.00.
(The North & South Stands will not be utilised)
The following are the Authorised Ticket Retailers:,
Geraldu Kiosk - Republic Street,Valletta,
Eros Stationery - Wilga Street, Paceville,
Star Tourism - Pioneer Road, Bugibba,
Scribbles Stationery - Psaila Street, B'Kara,
National Stadium - Ta'Qali.
Pre-Sales of tickets will commence on Saturday, 31st May, 2003, and will continue up to mid-day on match-day on Saturday, 7th June, 2003. Tickets for the match Malta vs Cyprus will be available at the Stadium on Saturday, 7th June, 2003.
Tue 27
- Bulgarian defender Nikolai Slavtchev is set to join Marsaxlokk after Marsa were relegated to Division 1. Other clubs were interested in signing Slavtchev but the two clubs are apparently close to reaching an agreement.
Slavtchev will not be the only new foreigner for Marsaxlokk. In fact, veteran English striker Marco Gabbiadini has been linked with the club in the past weeks. Gabbiadini, who has been playing for Division 2 side Northampton for the past three years, played for Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Derby, Oxford, Stoke, York and Darlington in past.
Another target could be Czech midfielder Jaroslav Marx, if he is released by Birkirkara. Marx was about to be released in January but the Stripes eventually decided to retain him till the end of the season.
Last season, Marsaxlokk had Nigerian defender Benneth Njoku, Czech midfielder Petr Bartes and Nigerian striker Uwa Ogbodo. Bartes should be retained since his contract expires in June 2004.
Meanwhile the Southseasiders have decided not to extend the contract of coach JJ Aquilina although he managed to lead them to a top six finish in their first experience in Premier League football.
A decision on the new coach will only be taken once a new committee is elected. If president Victor Sciriha seeks re-election, his main targets should be Charlo Magro of Hamrun and Jamie Pace of Pietà.
- Two former Floriana players, Edoardo Do Nascimento and Rufin Oba, could return with the club as from next season.
Brazilian striker Edoardo Do Nascimento left the club last summer to join Sliema Wanderers and after being released by the Blues in December, he tried moving back to Floriana. However his registration cold not be accepted by the MFA and therefore joined Nadur Youngsters in Gozo. Bizu played an important part in the Youngsters' successful campaign, helping them to win the First Division Championship, the Freedom Day Cup and Noel Vassallo Cup.
Another former Floriana player, Rufin Oba, moved to Belgium in June. He returned to Malta in January to join Birkirkara. However he failed to gain a regular place in the Stripes' starting line-up and is therefore expected to ask Birkirkara to be released.
But the arrival of new players at Floriana depends on the whether a merger between Floriana and Pietà Hotspurs takes place or not.
Talks between officials from the two clubs are at a preliminary stage. If an agreement is reached, club members will then decide whether to approve the merger.
- The 6th edition of HELP! Football Tournament organised by CAMYouths is going to be held between the 15th and 20th July, at St. Agatha, Rabat. The applications are now open and 16 teams will be accepted until the 20th June.
The tournament is 7 a-side and made up of a qualification phase followed by a knockout phase. It is going to have the participation of professional referees, alongside the support of local clubs Birkirkara FC, Floriana FC and Valletta FC.
A copy of the rules and application can be found on the website www.help.camyouths.com or by contacting Steve Falzon on football@camyouths.com or 79251874.
Mon 26
- Bulgarian coach Atanas Marinov is the new Valletta FC coach. Marinov replaces Dennis Fenech whose contract was not extended despite a third place in the Premier League.
Atanas Marinov, who has now signed a two-year contract with the Citizens, played an important part in helping Hamrun Spartans avoid relegation despite several constraints, mainly due to the transfer prohibition. This was the second year for Marinov with Hamrun.
The Bulgarian mentor has been coaching in Malta for seven years. He coached St. Patrick for three years, helping them to win promotion to the Premier League in 1997/98. Marinov then moved to Birkirkara where he stayed for about two years, leading them to a historic first ever league championship in season 1999/2000.
Before coaching in Malta, Atanas Marinov coached Spartak Plovdiv and Arda in Bulgaria besides coaching in Libya for three years.
Meanwhile Valletta will be holding their annual general meeting on Tuesday June 3 at the St. Augustine Hall, Valletta.
The club secretary will be receiving nominations and amendments for the statute between the 26th and 29th May. Members will be eligible for any of the posts only if they have been members for not less than one year.
Sun 25
- Chelsea FC has appointed Mr Shaun Michael Gore, Director of Football in the Community (FITC), to assist the adjudicating panel at next Saturday's Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2003. At the end of the competition, which takes place at the Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, he will also be giving a special coaching session to all participants.
Mr Gore, a former professional footballer and central defender with Fulham FC and later with Halifax town, joined Chelsea Football Club Youth Coaching staff in 1992. He completed courses for PFA and coached overseas players from a recreational level to ODP standard as well as international players. In 1999 he completed the UEFA conversion course and was appointed Director of Centre of Excellence.
He embarked on setting up the FITC scheme as part of Chelsea FC's commitment to help improve its relations with the community of Stamford Bridge. The aim of the scheme is to improve the standard of football coaching and of the players, both boys and girls, at grass root levels.
This programme offers free coaching to Primary and Middle schools, and after school clubs, courses in coaching for teachers, and special weekend courses for children with the emphasis on having fun. Mr Gore is currently the Director of FITC, a post he has held for the past ten years.
Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge is organised by Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta and sponsored by Emirates Airline, the Dubai-based international airline which flies to Malta three times a week. It is supported by Chelsea FC and has the approval of the Malta Football Association.
Mr Gore's visit to Malta has been made possible through the initiative of the Chelsea Supporters Club-Malta. Mr and Mrs Gore are guests of Kennedy Nova Hotel at The Strand, Gzira.
Sun 25
- Super Cup Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 2-0
- Second Division Promotion Decider San Gwann vs Vittoriosa S. 2-1 aet
- Gozo - Noel Vassallo Cup Nadur Y. vs Zebbug R. 8-7 pen
Sat 24
- Second & Third Division Knock-Out Tarxien R. vs Sirens 4-1
- Michael Mifsud was included in the starting line-up as Kaiserslautern lost 2-0 away to Hertha Berlin. Mifsud was substituted after 57 minutes.
Thu 22
- FA Trophy Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 1-0
- Gozo - Super Cup Ghajnsielem vs Xewkija T. 1-3
- Following the 1-3 defeat to Slovenia last month, Malta lost another place in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as published on Wednesday. Malta now lies in the 128th place.
Among the other European countries, Malta is still 48th.
Malta will be playing another EURO 2004 qualifier against Cyprus on June 7 at Ta' Qali and then travels to Luxembourg for a friendly match in August.
At the top of the rankings, Brazil lead ahead of Spain and France in joint-second place. Germany are fourth, ahead of Argentina, the Netherlands, England, Turkey, Mexico, the United States and Denmark.
Wed 21
- Gozo - Super Cup Nadur Y. vs Zebbug R. 1-0
- Birkirkara F.C. Youth Nursery is organising a Summer School between 23rd June and 25th July 2003 at the Infetti Training Grounds.
The price of Lm20 includes three training sessions per week, professional training with individual attention by qualified coaches, summer school T-shirt, use of a pool, and transport to all activities. Training sessions are carried out on synthetic turf pitch.
Birkirkara F.C. Youth Nursery is accepting applications from children between 6 to 14 years of age. Application forms can be collected from the Infetti Training Centre until 1st June 2003. One may obtain more details by phoning on 21443422 or email at nursery@birkirkarafc.com
Meanwhile the Birkirkara F.C. Youth Nursery will be organising a number of activities including visits to Gozo, a thanksgiving mass and a Buffet Disco Presentation Night.
Sun 18
- FA Trophy Floriana vs Birkirkara 1-4, Sliema W. vs Hibernians 5-2 aet
- Second Division Tarxien R. vs Zebbug R. 3-1, St. Andrews vs Attard 0-0
- Gozo - Noel Vassallo Cup Nadur Y. vs Xewkija T. 4-0, Ghajnsielem vs Zebbug R. 0-2
- The elimination of Hibernians and Floriana in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy means that Valletta will be taking part in the draw of the UEFA Cup preliminary round.
The Citizens placed third in the Premier League behind champions Sliema Wanderers and runners-up Birkirkara. Since these two teams will now contest the FA Trophy final and are hence guaranteed of a place in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup respectively, the second UEFA Cup berth goes to the team placing third.
Hibernians, on the other hand, will be taking part in the Intertoto Cup.
The Maltese team was drawn to play at home in the first round against Finland's first team. The first round will be held over the weekends June 21/22 and June 28/29. The team which qualifies was paired with the second team from Greece. The team which manages to reach the third round will be facing the first Italian team.
The club from Finland will most probably be AC Allianssi Vantaa.
- Michael Mifsud was included as a substutitute seven minutes from time in the game between Kaiserslautern and Borussia Dortmund. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Sat 17
- The Malta Football Association issued a statement regarding the seating arrangements for the FA Trophy semi-finals which will be played on Sunday.
In fact following a meeting with police authorities it was decided that for the game:
Floriana v Birkirkara (16:30) Floriana supporters are to stay in the West Stand Side C (Enclosure) and the Millenium Stand Side A and Birkirkara supporters in the West Stand Side A (Enclosure) and the Millenium Stand Side C.
Sliema W. v Hibernians (18:30) Sliema W. supporters are to stay in the West Stand Side C (Enclosure) and the Millenium Stand Side A and Hibernians supporters in the West Stand Side A (Enclosure) and the Millenium Stand Side C.
Fri 16
- Second Division Zurrieq vs Vittoriosa S. 0-2
Thu 15
- Second Division Dingli S. vs San Gwann 1-4, Mellieha vs Gzira U. 5-0
- Gozo - Noel Vassallo Cup Qala SJ vs Zebbug R. 0-4
- The seventh edition of the Paola Hibs Under-11 International Tournament was held earlier this month at the Hibernians Ground under the patronage of the Paola Local Council and sponsored by Teamsport.
Teams from the youth nurseries of Birkirkara, Luxol, St. Andrews, Melita, Paola Hibernians, Pietà Hotspurs and St. Patrick took part in the tournament together with Bulgarian sides FC Rakovsky and Lokomotiv Plovdiv. Two other foreign teams - Radnicki F.K. of Yugoslavia and Spartak Moscow of Russia were also due to take part but dropped out.
The eight teams were divided into two groups: Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Paola Hibernians, Luxol St. Andrews and Pietà Hotspurs in Group A; F.C. Rakovsky, Birkirkara, St. Patrick and Melita in Group B.
Paola Hibs won Group A on 9 points followed by Pietà on 4, Luxol on 3 and Lokomotiv on 1. Melita and Birkirkara claimed seven points each in Group B, although the former had a better goal difference; followed by St. Patrick with 3 points and Rakovsky with 0.
In the semi-finals, Paola Hibs defeated Birkirkara 2-1 while Melita beat Pietà 2-0.
The final was an closely-fought game. Melita were the better side in the first half taking a well-deserved two-goal lead. In the second half, against the run of play, Melita added a third goal but Paola Hibs made a remarkable comeback levelling the score in the final ten minutes.
Paola Hibs were the better side in extra-time but failed to score and therefore penalties had to decide the outcome. After the penalty shoot-out, the score read Paola Hibs 5 Melita 4.
President Tony Bezzina presented the trophies to the teams placing first, second and third and medals to all the children who took part.
The winners in the previous six editions were: 1997 - Paola Hibernians; 1998 - Paola Hibernians; 1999 - Valletta
2000 - Carrosio Calcio - Italia; 2001 - Paola Hibernians and 2002 - Luxol.
Wed 14
- Gozo - Noel Vassallo Cup Victoria H. vs Ghajnsielem 1-2
- Valletta FC will be organizing a testimonial match in honour of Nicky Saliba who decided to call it a day after sixteen years of top level football with Valletta and the national team. The Citizens will be playing this game against Msida St. Joseph who have just been promoted to the Premier League.
Saliba started his career with Msida from where he was transferred to Valletta.
The match will be played on Friday 16th May at the Hibernians Ground, kick-off at 18:00. Saliba is expected to play for Valletta in the first half and Msida in the second.
- A testimonial match in honour of Michael Spiteri will be held on Friday at St. Aloysius College ground in Birkirkara at 19:30 CET.
The 34-year old has decided to hang up his boots in March after struggling to recover from a cruciate knee ligament injury due to which he made only a couple of appearances this season after missing most of last season.
After making a short appearance in the first leg of the UEFA Cup preliminary round clash with Metalurh Zaporizhya, Spiteri was forced to stay out of the field of play for almost six months, returning in the 0-1 defeat to Marsaxlokk.
Spiteri, a product of Fgura United, played for eleven years with Hibernians before moving to Birkirkara in season 1999-2000. He won three league championships - two with Hibs and one with Birkirkara. He made his national team debut on November 5, 1993 in a friendly match against Egypt. He played 24 matches, scoring a goal.
- The Malta Football Association will consider applications from constituted clubs to participate in the Third Division League next season 2003-2004.
Applications, which must include a copy of the Club Statute and a list of committee members with their respective ID numbers, must reach the MFA General Secretary at 280, St. Paul Street, Valletta VLT 07, by not later than Wednesday, 21st May, 2003.
- The MFA Technical Centre invites applications from interested Coaches who would like to be considered for selection as a Staff Coach with the Malta Football Association for Season 2003-2004. All applicants must be in possession of a UEFA 'A' or 'B' Diploma or an MFA 'A' or 'B' Diploma.
All interested Coaches must submit their application, together with a detailed CV, to the MFA Technical Director, Mr Horst Heese, at the MFA Technical Complex, Ta' Qali, by not later than Tuesday, 20th May, 2003.
Coaches who are currently assigned as Staff Coaches in the MFA Youth Sector, if interested, also need to re-apply.
Tue 13
- Gozo - Noel Vassallo Cup Nadur Y. vs Xaghra U. 7-0
Mon 12
- Champions Sliema Wanderers were drawn to meet Hibernians in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy semi-finals. In the other semi-final, Floriana meet holders Birkirkara.
Hibernians were probably the team Sliema were wishing to avoid since Hibs defeated Sliema three times in four league matches and another time in the Lowenbrau Cup. Sliema won the other Premier League clash 3-0.
Floriana and Birkirkara met twice this season with the Greens defeating Birkirkara 2-1 in the first round. The Stripes won 0-3 in the second round.
Both matches will be played at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali, on Sunday.
Floriana and Sliema Wanderers won the FA Trophy 18 times each, Hibernians six times and Birkirkara once.
- Stefan Giglio was included as a substitute in Lokomotiv Sofia's 3-0 defeat to Botev Plovdiv on Sunday. Daniel Bogdanovic was also included as a substitute as Cherno More drew 2-2 with Chernomorets Bourgas.
Sun 11
- Premier League Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 0-0
- Second Division Attard vs Zurrieq 1-4, Zebbug R. vs St. Andrews 4-0
- Third Division Play-Offs Fgura U. vs Melita 0-3, Kirkop U. vs St. George's 1-2
- Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Xaghra U. 5-1, Zebbug R. vs Xewkija T. 4-3
- Women's Knock-Out Mosta vs Hibernians 0-6, Raiders vs Birkirkara 0-3
- Michael Mifsud helped Kaiserslautern claim an away draw to Wolfsburg as he scored three minutes after being included as a substitute on Saturday.
Ciriaco Sforza gave Kaiserslautern an early lead but Wolfsburg turned the score in their favour with a brace by Maric. Mifsud replaced Koch on 66 minutes and three minutes later, he scored to notch the equaliser for the Red Devils.
Mifsud made 14 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, scoring two goals. He also played 13 matches for the Kaiserslautern Amateure in the Regionalliga, scoring 8 goals.
Kaiserslautern are currently tenth in the table with 39 points. With two matches for the end of the Bundesliga, they lie five points ahead of Bayer Leverkusen who are third from bottom. Therefore, to make sure of avoiding relegation, they need two points from the remaining matches.
Sat 10
- Premier League Marsa vs Hamrun S. 0-1, Hibernians vs Valletta 1-1
- Second Division Vittoriosa S. vs Mellieha 1-4, Luqa SA vs Tarxien R. 1-4
Fri 9
- Premier League Mosta vs Floriana 0-3, Marsaxlokk vs Pietà H. 1-1
- Ingmar Spiteri is currently acting as assistant referee in the final stage of the UEFA Under-17 Championships which are being held in Portugal between May 7 and 17.
Spiteri was one of the assistants of referee Sergiy Berezka (Ukraine) in Austria's 1-0 win over Hungary on Wednesday. On Friday, the Maltese official assisted Veaceslav Banari of Moldova in Spain's 3-0 win over Israel.
More matches from the group stage will be played on Sunday. The Semi-Finals will be played on Wednesday 14 and the final on Saturday 17.
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organising the last Instructional Meeting for Sason 2002-2003 for MFA 'C', Foundation, Club Coach Certificate and 'Coaching Young Footballers' coahes on Monday 12th May 2003 at the MFA Training Grounds, Ta' Qali at 18:30.
The practical session will be conducted by MFA Staff Coach Stephen Grima.
All coaches are expected to wear the right attire for this practical session.
- The Management of the National Stadium notifies that the holders of the following ticket counterfoils purchased for the Euro 2004 Qualification match between Malta and Slovenia on Wednesday, 30th April, 2003, at the National Stadium:
First Prize: Balay Washing Machine (Ticket No. 4514)
Second Prize: Vacuum Cleaner (Ticket No. 4058)
Third Prize: Microwave Oven (Ticket No. 3068)
are requested to call personally at the MFA Headquarters Reception Desk (280, St. Paul Street, Valletta) with the corresponding match ticket to claim their prize.
The respective winner/s have until Friday, 30th May, 2003, to present their ticket, otherwise the prize/s will be forfeited.
Thu 8
- GFA Cup Nadur Y. vs Zebbug R. 2-1 golden goal
Wed 7
- Nigerian midfielder Minabo Asechemie will be missing for Marsa when they take on eternal rivals Hamrun Spartans in the derby on Saturday. With both sides engaged in relegation trouble, a defeat for either side would mean losing Premiership status.
Asechemie was handed a one-match ban after collecting his fourth yellow card in Marsa's 1-5 defeat to Floriana on Saturday.
Marsa defeated Hamrun twice in the first phase 3-2 and 2-1. In the first round of the Relegation Pool, the two teams tied 1-1.
- GFA Cup Qala SJ vs Ghajnsielem 0-5
- Sliema Wanderers coach Edward Aquilina and his assistant Hugh Caruana were confirmed for another season after leading the Blues to the 24th championship in the history of the club.
This was announced during a press conference in which details about a one week-long celebrations programme was announced.
Sliema president Robert Arrigo also said that he has no intention of stepping down after being elected in parliament.
Arrigo claimed there is no need for any big signings as the club welcomes back 17 players who return from loan spells with other clubs. Foreigners Murphy Akanji, Danilo Doncic and Orosco Anonam have also been confirmed for another season.
Meanwhile in a bid to encourage more spectators to turn out for their Champions League match, Sliema have asked the Malta Football Association to allow spectators to enter free of charge.
Sun 4
- Premier League Pietà H. vs Hibernians 0-5, Marsaxlokk vs Birkirkara 1-4
- First Division Senglea A. vs Xghajra T. 2-1, Mqabba vs Rabat A. 1-4
- Second Division San Gwann vs Gzira U. 1-1
- Third Division St. George's vs Fgura U. 1-0, Melita vs Kirkop U. 2-2
- Women's Knock-Out Rabat Ajax vs Mosta 0-2, Melita vs Raiders 0-1
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Xewkija T. 3-0
- Gozo - Second Division Oratory Y. vs Kercem A. 1-7
Sat 3
- Premier League Hamrun S. vs Mosta 1-0, Floriana vs Marsa 5-1
- First Division Msida SJ vs St. Patrick 1-3, Naxxar L. vs Gozo 2-4
- Second Division St. Andrews vs Luqa SA 3-0, Zurrieq vs Zebbug R. 0-0
- Gozo - GFA Cup Qala SJ vs Sannat L. 2-1 (golden goal)
- Gozo - Second Division St. Lawrence S. vs SK Victoria W. 3-4
Thu 1
- First Division Balzan Y. vs Lija A. 1-1
- Third Division Championship Decider Zejtun C. vs St. George's 3-2
- Gozo - First Division Qala SJ vs Victoria H. 1-5
- Gozo - GFA Cup Zebbug R. vs Kercem A. 1-0
- Malta will be playing a friendly match against Luxembourg on August 19. The game will be stages in Luxembourg although the stadium has not been selected yet.
Luxembourg, who are currently ranked number 154, form part of Group 2 where they lie at the bottom of the table without any points after four matches. The other teams in their group are Norway, Denmark, Romania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
However Malta are the last team to be beaten by Luxembourg in a full international when Luc Holtz scored the only goal of the match at the Stade Josy Barthel in 1995.
Meanwhile Malta will be playing its final EURO 2004 qualifier against Israel in Antalya, Turkey.
The Israel Football Association had also been discussing the possibility of staging the match against Malta and the one against Slovenia in June in Georgia. Israel played their home qualifying game against France earlier this month in Palermo, as UEFA's ban on Israel hosting any club or national-team matches continues because of the volatile security situation in the Middle East.
UEFA has given its confirmation that the matches may be staged in Antalya, and has also received the necessary guarantees from the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Turkish Football Federation.
Malta plays Israel on September 10. The UEFA Under-21 Championship match on September 9 will also take place in Antalya.
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organising an Instructional Meeting on Saturday, 10th May for the UEFA 'A' and UEFA 'B' Licence Coaches at the MFA Technical Centre at Ta' Qali.
This meeting will be held in lieu of the instructional meetings which were to be held on Monday, 10th February and Monday, 14th April, 2003.
The speakers will be foreign coaches who are conducting lectures during the current UEFA 'A' licence course being organised by the Malta Football Association.
The meeting commences at 08:00 with the following programme:
08:00 - Lecture: "Team Building" by Mr Werner Mickler
(Sports Psychologist)
10:00 - Interview: Mr George Micallef talks to the National Coach of Germany, Mr Michael Skibbe, on "World Cup Preparation and Experience of the German National Team"
13:00 - Practical Session: "Ball Oriented Defence" by Mr Michael Skibbe, National Coach Germany.
All coaches are required to wear the right attire for the practical session.
Coaches are advised that the first two sessions will cover the Instructional Meetings for season 2002-2003. The third session will cover the first instructional meeting for season 2002-2003 for those coaches who have not attended the minimum number of instructional meetings in order to be issued with a coaching License for season 2003-2004.