July 2003
Thu 31
- Bolton Wanderers ended their commitments in the Floriana FC pre-season triangular tournament with a comfortable 5-1 win over hosts Floriana.
The game against Bolton marked the farewell for veteran defender Dennis Cauchi who called it a day following a 21-year-long career of top-level football.
Despite lacking the injured Youri Djorkaeff, Bolton were in a class of their own taking the lead after just 5 minutes thanks to Henrik Pedersen. Greek midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos doubled the score on 24 minutes.
A brace by Delroy Facey, early in the second half, on 51 and 54 minutes, increased the score to 4-0.
Floriana pulled one back on 62 minutes as Edoardo Do Nascimento converted a penalty but one minute from time Ibrahim Ba made it 5-1.
Thanks to this win, Bolton made sure of winning the tournament.
- The transfer of Charlo Magro from Hamrun Spartans to Marsaxlokk hit a stumbling block after former Hamrun president Victor Tedesco filed an application for a warrant of prohibitory injunction in the Civil Court against the club.
Tedesco asked the court to stop Hamrun Spartans from transferring or selling the player without him (Tedesco) being given all the information on the transfer as well as the opportunity to be present at the negotiations on this transfer.
The former Hamrun president claims Hamrun owe him a sum of Lm 22,427 - a sum which is acknowledged in a contract signed on November 15, 2001. According to this contract Hamrun are bound to pay 70 per cent of any transfer fee to him in order to settle the debt.
Although Hamrun Spartans are currently prohibited from entering the transfer market, the Council of the Malta Football Association had given its go-ahead for the transfer as the money received would settle some of the pending debts that Hamrun have with their own players and other clubs. In fact, in such cases, the amount is deposited at the association and is not received directly by the club.
However this would no longer be possible if Tedesco stays firm on his decision.
- Birkirkara have confirmed Nigerian striker Haruna Doda as the third foreigner just before the July 31 deadline for signing new players for the UEFA Cup qualifying round.
The player's registration was filed in on Wednesday morning after the Stripes received the international transfer certificate from the Portuguese FA. In fact, Doda has been playing for Santa Clara and Belenenses in the Portuguese First Division in the past years.
Haruna Doda, who is also a Nigerian international, was rested on Thursday as the Stripes lost 1-2 to the Nigerian Stars.
- Valletta FC registered three new players in time just before the July 31 deadline for signing new players for the UEFA Cup qualifying round.
Bulgarian duo Manol Georgiev and Todor Simeonov complete the foreign line-up. Georgiev, a midfielder, joined Valletta from Bulgarian First Division champions Rodopa Smolyan while Simeonov, a defender, is a former player of Bulgarian Premier League sides Botev Plovdiv and Slavia Sofia.
These players replace Chris Oretan and Rumen Galabov who were both released. Milen Penchev has been confirmed from last season.
The other new player is Malta Under-21 defender Kurt Farrugia, who joined Valletta from Pietà Hotspurs in exchange for Edward Azzopardi. The former Vittoriosa Stars player was on loan with Marsaxlokk last season.
Meanwhile Valletta defeated Hamrun Spartans 5-0 in a friendly match on Thursday. Gilbert Agius scored three of the goals with the other two goals being scored by Beppe Pace and Ivan Zammit. Todor Simeonov played a particularly good game for the Citizens.
Wed 30
- Champions League FC Copenhagen vs Sliema W. 4-1
- Ambitious Marsaxlokk continued to strenghten their squad with the signing of Pietà Hotspurs striker Malcolm Licari.
The 25-year old striker, who had signed a new contract with the Hotspurs earlier this month, has been playing Premier League football for the past seven years after joining the club from Kirkop United. However the player started his career with Floriana.
With Licari, Marsaxlokk fill the gap in their forward line after releasing Nigerian striker Uwa Ogbodo.
Marsaxlokk have so far secured the services of national team captain David Carabott from Valletta, David Camilleri from Sliema Wanderers, Kevin Mamo from Pietà Hotspurs and Nikolai Slavtchev from Marsa. Charlo Magro should also join the club from Hamrun Spartans although his transfer hit a stumbling block due to a case in the Law Courts filed by former Hamrun president Victor Tedesco.
Pierre Grima, Trevor Templeman, Richard Buhagiar and Justin Tellus will be staying with the club after being on loan last season.
- Rabat Ajax striker William Borg is set to fill the void left in the Pietà Hotspurs forward line by the departure of Malcolm Licari as the two clubs are close to reaching an agreement of a loan for one season.
Borg, who is expected to join the Hotspurs on a one-year loan, started his career with Mellieha before joining Rabat Ajax in 1999. Since then he was a regular scorer with the Magpies and was also a member of Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia's Malta Under-21 squad.
Meanwhile Serbia & Montenegro defender Branko Nisevic will be the club's second foreigner after signing a two-year deal.
Nisevic was released by the Paolites last week. Before playing for three years with Hibernians, Nisevic also played for a short spell with Sliema Wanderers.
Pietà Hotspurs leave Malta on Friday where they will be attending an eleven-day training camp in Italy.
- Malta's downfall in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking continued after dropping another two places to 132nd. Malta lost ten places since December.
Malta did not play any international matches over the past month and its next commitment is in three weeks' time when the team travels to Luxembourg for a friendly match. Malta then faces Israel in the final EURO 2004 qualifier.
Following a five-month break, during which the Malta Football Association will be analysing the national teams' sector, the team will be in action in the Malta International Football Tournament which will be held on February 14, 16 and 18. Friendly matches are programmed for March 31 and April 28.
Tue 29
- The draws for this year's edition of the Lowenbrau Cup were held on Tuesday at the Lowenbrau Brewery, Qormi.
The draw was held in the presence of MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud, MFA general secretary Joe Gauci, LBM Breweries Limited general manager Dr Paul De Battista and LBM Breweries head of marketing Jeremy Cassar.
With champions Sliema Wanderers still involved in the Champions League qualifiers, their place in the Lowenbrau Cup was taken by Hibernians.
In fact, the Lowenbrau Cup regulations stipulate that if a club participating in the UEFA Champions League is unable to take part in the competition due to its continued participation in the UEFA competition, such club will be replaced by the club who represented the association in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
In the opening match on Monday 4, Hibernians meet Valletta. The loser then faces Birkirkara on Thursday while on Saturday, Birkirkara take on the winner of the first game.
In the case of a draw in the first game, Birkirkara face Hibs on Thursday and Valletta on Saturday.
If at the end of the competition more than one team finish equal on points after playing all their matches, the following criteria will be used in the following order to determine the ranking:
(a) superior goal difference;
(b) greater number of goals scored;
(c) drawing of lots.
Dr De Battista said the company is sponsoring the competition for the eleventh consecutive year and will ensure to do so in the next calendar season. "Lowenbrau is a brand that enjoys its association with top quality events and is proud to form part of this successful partnership."
He went on to say that the company is not only interested in gaining promotion from such sponsorships but wants to stress the importance of sports activities.
Dr De Battista expressed the company's satisfaction for the particular enthusiasm shown by clubs taking part in the competition. He wished football matches generate such enthusiasm throughout the season and said that if all those involved work together, a solution could be found in two-three years' time.
MFA president Dr Mifsud said this competition was always meant to serve as a good warm-up for the teams taking part in UEFA competitions as the early rounds were usually held in August and September. However with the qualifying rounds being anticipated to July and August, this is not always possible.
"Last year we organised the competition early in July as an experiment but we found out that it was too early."
The competition also serves as a financial boost forn the three clubs taking part. The MFA president expressed his gratitude towards the company for the long relationship and his confidence that a new agreement will be reached between the two parties once discussions over a new sponsorship get under way.
Meanwhile Dr Mifsud announced that although there will be no increase in admission fees, a fee of 40c will be charged for using the parking area next to the Enclosure.
The MFA president also made it clear that the local body had nothing to do with UEFA's decision to deny Sliema the use of the Hibernians Ground for the next round.
- Malta international striker Gilbert Agius brought to an end speculation that he could leave Valletta by signing a new contract with the Citizens which will tie him to the club until June 2007.
Gilbert Agius reached an agreement with the club over a new four-year contract.
Agius, a product of the Valletta nursery, played for eleven years in the Citizens' first team, before joining Pisa in the Italian Serie C1 in summer 2001. However he had to return back home after a couple of months after being regularly relegated to the bench.
Meanwhile the Citizens seem close to reaching an agreement with Pietà Hotspurs over the transfer of Kurt Farrugia. Farrugia would join Valletta in swap deal involving defender Edward Azzopardi.
- The inclusion of Kris Laferla is expected to be the only change in the starting line-up as Sliema Wanderers face FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League.
Laferla's experience should prove useful as coach Edward Aquilina is set to adopt a cautious approach.
In fact, Danish clubs bring rather negative memories for the Blues considering that Sliema suffered a 7-1 defeat to Odense back in 1996. On that occasion, Sliema had reached a further round after eliminating Margveti Zestaphoni of Georgia.
Goalkeeper Murphy Akanji is also set to start for Sliema after recovering from a slight concussion in the game against Skonto Riga last Wednesday. Akanji, had to be hospitalized towards the end of the first half and was substituted by young Matthew Farrugia.
The starting line-up is therefore expected to be: Murphy Akanji, Brian Said, Carlo Mamo, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Kris Laferla, Stefan Giglio, Noel Turner, Joe Brincat, Orosco Anonam, Danilo Doncic, Daniel Bogdanovic.
The other players at Aquilina's disposal are Matthew Farrugia, Lee Lombardi, Massimo Grima, Rupert Mangion, Kevin Sammut and Nenad Veselji.
- A fine second half performance was not enough for Birkirkara to avoid a 2-1 defeat to English Premiership side Bolton Wanderers in the second match from the Floriana Pre-Season Tournament.
The visitors seemed heading for a most comfortable win as they enjoyed a two-goal lead in the first 13 minutes.
Nigeria star-striker Jay-Jay scored a gem of a goal after just four minutes and former French international midfielder Youri Djorkaeff doubled the score.
The Trotters kept the Birkirkara under pressure for the rest of the first half but the Stripes defended well.
Six minutes in the second half, Lino Galea managed to beat Jaaskelainen to narrow the gap.
The tournament comes to an end on Thursday with the last match between hosts Floriana and Bolton Wanderers.
Mon 28
- As usual, the month of August brings about a number of pre-season tournaments that are played all over the island.
Four Premier clubs will be taking part in the Carlsberg Hibernians Tournament which kicks-off on August 11. Floriana, Marsaxlokk and Msida St. Joseph join Hibernians in the quadrangular tournament.
The Gammari Muscat Mosta Tournament kicks-off on August 5. Taking part are Balzan Youths from the Premier League, Lija Athletic, Rabat Ajax, St. Patrick, Senglea Athletic and hosts Mosta from Division 1. Balzan, Lija and Senglea will be playing in Group A, Mosta, Rabat and St. Patrick in Group B.
Mosta FC will also organise an Under-18 Challenge which will see the participation of the following teams: Pietà Hotspurs, St. Patrick, Valletta in one group; Floriana, Mosta and Rabat Ajax in the other.
Another tournament will be organised by Dingli Swallows. The teams taking part are Lija Athletic, Mosta, Mqabba and Naxxar Lions from Division 1 together with Dingli Swallows and Zebbug Rangers from Division 2. Mqabba, Dingli and Naxxar play in one group, Lija, Mosta and Zebbug in the other. The tournament gets underway on August 14.
- Goalkeeper Murphy Akanji is expected to play for Sliema Wanderers after recovering from a slight concussion in the game against Skonto Riga last Wednesday. Akanji is in fact part of the squad which leaves Malta on Monday, destination Copenhagen, where the Blues face Danish champions FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round.
The only new player in the squad is former St. Andrews and Pietà Hotspurs defender Lee Lombardi, who is now eligible to play for the Blues after problems over his registration were solved. Jamie Pace will not travel with the squad due to a family mourning.
The squad is therefore made up of:
goalkeepers Murphy Akanji and Matthew Farrugia;
defenders Kristian Laferla, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Lee Lombardi, Carlo Mamo, Brian Said;
midfielders Noel Turner, Stefan Giglio, Joe Brincat, Massimo Grima, Rupert Mangion, Kevin Sammut and
strikers Orosco Anonam, Danilo Doncic, Daniel Bogdanovic, Nenad Veselji.
The second leg will be held at the National Stadium on August 6 after that Sliema reached an agreement with the Malta Football Association. The Wanderers will be paying a fee of Lm 5,000 to use the stadium.
- Goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri, Nicolò Baldacchino and Trevor Cilia have been given the opportunity of training with the Bolton Wanderers squad during their stay in Malta.
Christian Cassar had also attended a first training session with the Trotters but he was replaced by Cilia as the former sustained an injury which also ruled him out of the tournament.
This is part of what Floriana aim to have in future with their younger players being offered the possibility of joining Bolton for training camps. Speaking during a press-conference at the Radisson SAS Bay Point on Sunday, Floriana president Dennis Burke revealed that the club is discussing this possibility with the English side.
Meanwhile following the arrival of an English midfielder, David Gill, Floriana are expecting a Brazilian midfielder to join the club for a trial. These two players should be available to play against Bolton on Thursday.
The Greens already have Nigerian striker Chika Onyekaba on trial.
Sun 27
- Birkirkara defender Lucian Dronca and Sliema Wanderers midfielder Noel Turner claimed two awards each in the second edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards which was held on Saturday at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St. Julian's. The presentation will be televised on Net TV on Wednesday at 22:00.
Dronca won the award for the Best Defender and the Best Foreign Player while Turner, who was earlier voted MFA Footballer of the Year, was voted as the Best Midfielder and the Best Maltese Player.
Michael Galea of Birkirkara, one of three joint-league top-scorers won the award for the Best Striker while Pietà Hotspurs goalie Saviour Darmanin won that for the Best Goalkeeper.
For the second year in succession, a Hamrun Spartans player won the award for the Most Promising Youngster. This time it was the turn of Malta U-21 midfielder Roderick Bajada.
Sliema Wanderers coach Edward Aquilina was voted Best Coach while Johann Zammit's goal against Mosta was voted as the Most Beautiful Goal of the Season.
Charlie Agius and Philip Agius won the award for the Best Referee and Best Assistant Referee respectively.
Special awards were presented to Hamrun Spartans striker Stefan Sultana and former Rabat, Valletta and Malta defender Joe Cilia, who also spent a long career in coaching.
A televoting question has now been launched. The question will be a most topical one: Which team deserves the title of the Best Team of the season 2002/03? Sliema Wanderers who won the Premier League and the Lowenbrau Cup or Birkirkara who won the FA Trophy, Super Cup and Super 5 Cup?
Those who would like to vote for Sliema should phone 5004 3251 while those who would like to vote for Birkirkara should vote 5004 3252.
Lines are open and voters will have the chance to win a number of prizes including vouchers for Malizia products, vouchers by General Soft Drinks, Easyline Cards by Maltacom, 4 Smart SIM cards by Go Mobile, two Lm40 vouchers by Frank's Perfumery, a year's membership for the Westin Dragonara Reef Club and a set of ten t-shirts of the ten Premier clubs of last season together with those of the two teams who were promoted from Division 1, Msida and Balzan.
- Birkirkara and hosts Floriana shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the opening match of the pre-season tournament being organised by the Greens at the Hibernians Ground.
After a goalless first half, Nicolò Baldacchino put Floriana ahead six minutes in the second half. However Michael Galea levelled the score for Birkirkara eleven minutes later.
Making his first appearance for Birkirkara was Nigerian international striker Haruna Doda who played first division football in Portugal with Belenenses and Santa Clara. Other foreigners playing for the Stripes, besides Lucian Dronca, were the midfielder from Burundi Yves Nsengyunva and young Nigerian striker John Eboh.
Floriana had Nigerian trialist Chika Onyekaba making his second appearance.
Sat 26
- Friendly Match Hamrun S. vs Pietà H. 2-0, goals by Kevin Borg and Bulgarian midfielder Borisov.
- A reduction of 38,635 was registered in the number of spectators for Premier League matches last season when compared with the previous season. This emerged from the administrative report of the Malta Football Association which was approved during the association's Annual General Meeting which was held on Saturday.
Among the items on the agenda were the approval of the minutes of last year's AGM, the approval of the Administrative Report and the Financial Report for the year 2002/2003, the election of the ordinary members of the Executive Committee for the year 2003/2004 together with discussion over amendments to the MFA Statute.
A total of 104,567 attended the Premier League matches at the National Stadium, Hibernians Ground, Victor Tedesco Stadium and Centenary Stadium when compared with the 143,202 which attended the 132 matches in the Premier League 2001/02.
This meant a reduced income for both Member Clubs and the MFA Sports Facilities Board. In fact the gross income from Premier matches amounted to Lm 153,977, about Lm 60,000 less than the previous season (Lm 213,658 in 2001/02).
The total number of spectators in the National League (Premier, First, Second and Third Division) matches together with the FA Trophy, Super Cup, Lowenbrau Cup, Super 5 Cup and the Second & Third Division Knock-Out decreased by around 46,000 to 127,476 (173,287 in 2001/02). The gross income consequently decreased by over Lm67,000 to Lm 182,263 (Lm249,908 in 2001/02).
Among other important points which emerged from the AGM is the fact that the UEFA Executive Committee approved guidelines for the issue of licences for season 2004/05 which were submitted to the European body after being discussed by the Council of the Malta Football Association. For season 2004/05, clubs were given an extension till December 31 to settle any debts with players, coaches or other personnel. However as for 2005/06, all amounts due will have to be paid in time or at most in 30 days' time in order to be eligible for UEFA licence. Failure to satisfy this condition would make a club ineligible to play in UEFA competitions for that season.
As regards the use of the National Stadium for UEFA competitions, the association decided over a guaranteed sum from the three clubs taking part in the UEFA competitions. A decision which brought a lot of criticism. This sum was meant to cover part of the association's expenses to maintain the pitch at the National Stadium. Besides an expenditure of Lm35,000 every two years to buy good-quality sand from abroad, thousands of liri are spent regularly in seeding and water.
Without the National Stadium at their disposal, local clubs will be unable to take part in UEFA competitions as stadiums providing a minimum seating of 3000 under-cover are required as from next season.
As regards the Centenary Stadium, the quality of the pitch which was laid in 1999 is deteriorating since the stadium is used almost daily between August and May. As from season 2005-06, UEFA will be permitting competitive matches to be played on artificial pitches. For this reason, the MFA is considering changing the pitch to one which is up to UEFA standards once enough funds are available.
It was then the turn of the election of the ordinary members of the Executive Committee for the coming season.
An election was only necessary for the Council Members to represent First Division clubs and Member Clubs in no particular Division. Ivan Calamatta (San Gwann) and Charles J. Scerri (Lija A.) were elected as First Division representatives while Charles Calleja (Gozo FC) and Raymond Micallef (Attard) were elected as Council Members in representation of Member Clubs in no particular Division.
Since there was only one candidate to represent the other Member Associations, the meeting called for another nomination and Alfred Spiteri was elected.
Therefore the Council Members who will occupy the eleven ordinary seats in the Executive Committee are: Joseph Gauci (B'Kara) and Paul Spiteri (Valletta) - Premier Division, Ivan Calamatta (San Gwann) and Charles Scerri (Lija A.) - First Division, Salvu Vella (Mellieha SC) - Second Division, Joseph Farrugia (Kirkop U.) - Third Division, Charles Calleja (Gozo FC) and Raymond Micallef (Attard) - Member clubs in no particular Division, Joe Micallef - Youth FA, Joseph Cassar Naudi (MHRA) and Alfred Spiteri (ESA) - other Member Associations.
A number of amendments to the statute were approved. These dealed mainly with the Member Clubs' Licensing Board, the Protests' Board and the Appeals' Board.
The licences will be valid only for one season and shall expire automatically at the end of the season. Licences are not transferable. Board members and the chairman and his deputies should be neutral and the chairman need not be MFA officials. A club whose application has not been accepted by the Board may appeal to the Appeals Board which is the body of second and final instance in the licensing procedure. Anyone who is involved in the licensing process shall bind hoimslef that he shall not divulge to anybody any information that may come to his knowledge as he will be considered guilty of a breach of trust against the Association and the Member Club.
The Protests Board will consists of a chairman, deputy chairman and three other members. In the case, a protest is based on a claim that a technical error had occurred, at least three of the board members must be current members of the Referees Board. A protest has now to be accompanied by a deposit of Lm 100 (rather than Lm 50 as it was the case before) in the case of a protest made by a member club in connection with a match played by its first team.
The Appeals Board or the Panel of Substitute Members must include both a lawyer and a certified public accountant and auditor as they may have to deal with appeals from decisions of the Member Clubs' Licensing Board. Even in the case of this board, each member will be bound not to divulge any information or the contents of any document that may come to his knowledge or his possession. In case of an appeal from a decision of the Licensing Board refusing to grant a license that would enable a club to take part in UEFA competitions, the Board may consult the members of the Panel of Experts which will be nominated by the Council.
- The amount of money spent on the national team and the youth development sector amounts to more than half the money spent by the Malta Football Association.
In the past season, the association had an operating income of Lm 681,000. This sum includes Lm 7,900 from local matches, Lm 264,000 from international matches, Lm 354,000 from FIFA and UEFA subsidies, Lm 20,700 from sponsors, Lm 16,700 from fines and Lm 9,400 from affiliation fees. Subtracting the loss of Lm 27,800 registered in the gym, clinic, the technical complex and training grounds, the total operating income of the association amounted to Lm 653,000.
The association's expenditure amounted to Lm 558,217. More than half this amount was spent on the national team and the youth development scheme. In fact, Lm 325,563 was spent less Lm 15,000 for sponsors and other recoveries for a total expenditure of Lm 309,687.
In detail the expenses for the national team amounted to Lm 142,000 for travelling, Lm 89,000 salaries of technical staff, Lm 42,600 for players' training allowance, Lm 14,000 for bonuses and appearance money and Lm 18,000 for insurance and other medical expenses.
The association spent Lm 103,400 in repaying bank loan, Lm 67,000 in salaries, Lm 28,500 in allowances for MFA officials, Lm 8,600 in referees' training allowance.
The excess of income over expenditure of Lm 95,010, and Lm 55,000 after depreciation.
The Sports Facilities Board, formerly known as the Ground Management Board, suffered a loss of Lm 74,000.
A loss of Lm 43,000 was registered at the Centenary Ground. In fact it was pointed out that there is a need to raise fees for the Centenary Stadium in order to make up for these losses. UEFA needs to approve material and installation. Needs to be inspected every two years.
At the National Stadium, there was a profit of over Lm 11,000. The income generated amounted to Lm 86,000: share of gate-money - Lm 25,000, bar - Lm 17,000, advertising - Lm 10,700 and broadcasting rights - Lm 12,000. Wages (Lm 33,000) and maintenance (Lm 38,000) amounted to most of the National Stadium's expenditure which amounted to Lm 75,800.
There was a loss of Lm 27,000 at the Training Grounds and the Technical Centre. The income generated, which mainly includes the income from visiting teams (Lm 30,000), course fees (Lm 7,700) and the football school (Lm 2,200), amounted to Lm 41,800. However the sum of Lm 61,000 was spent.
The capital expenditure over the Millennium Stand so far has been of Lm 3,700,000. Last year, the expenditure totalled Lm 470,000.
The Malta Football Association's total assets amount to Lm 5,428,354 (Lm 5,025,437 in fixed assets and Lm 401,917 in current assets).
Fri 25
- Sliema Wanderers will have to play the return leg against FC Copenhagen at the National Stadium, Ta Qali as the Hibernians Ground, where Sliema were planning to host the Danish champions, was not deemed fit by the UEFA delegate.
On the squad's arrival from Riga, Sliema president Robert Arrigo said that a copy of a fax by UEFA was received where it states that the Hibs ground is not eligible. Arrigo said that further discussions and investigations were due later on Friday and the matter would be cleared by Saturday at most.
It seems that although UEFA delegate Manos Mavrokoupolis had given the go-ahead for the Champions League match between Sliema Wanderers and Skonto Riga to be played at the Hibernians Ground on July 17 following an inspection held that morning, this was not confirmed in his written report where he deemed the stadium was not up-to-standard to hold Champions League matches.
Sliema were able to host the game at the Hibs Ground following the installation of 1,200 seats since UEFA regulations state that stadiums for Champions League and UEFA Cup matches should be all-seaters. However it is now evident that the UEFA delegate took other factors into consideration.
- An attractive tie with Glasgow Rangers awaits Sliema Wanderers or FC Copenhagen in the third round of the Champions League following the draw which was held on Friday at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon.
Sliema will be playing FC Copenhagen at the Parken Stadium on Wednesday, kick-off at 20:00 while the return leg will be held at the Hibernians Ground, a week later.
Meanwhile the Sliema Wanderers squad will return from Riga on Friday on flight KM277 at around 16:10. The Wanderers are expected to be given a warm welcome by their supporters following the good result obtained in Riga.
Goalkeeper Murphy Akanji will be travelling with the squad after being released from hospital. The Nigerian had to abandon the pitch injured towards the end of the first half following a clash with Audrius Ksanacivius. He was taken immediately to hospital.
Following a 2-0 win in the first leg, Sliema lost 1-3 in Riga but the goal by Joe Brincat in stoppage time enabled the Blues to qualify on the away-goals rule.
- The Annual General Meeting of the Malta Football Association will be held on Saturday at The Centenary Hall, Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali.
Among the items on the agenda are the approval of the minutes of last year's AGM, the approval of the Administrative Report for the year 2002/2003, the approval of the Financial Report for the year 2002/2003, the election of the ordinary members of the Executive Committee for the year 2003/2004, the election of the External Auditor of the Association for the year 2003/2004 together with additions and/or alterations to the MFA Statute.
An election is only necessary for the Council Members to represent First Division clubs where there are three candidates for two vacancies - Ivan Calamatta (San Gwann), Stephen Perici (Senglea A.) and Charles J. Scerri (Lija A.) and for Council Members in representation of Member Clubs in no particular Division (two vacancies) where there are four candidates for two vacancies - Charles Calleja (Gozo FC), Raymond Micallef (Attard), Paul Sammut (St. Lucia) and Charles J. Scerri (Lija A.).
There is no need for elections for the other seats as there were the necessary number of candidates.
- Five Premier League clubs were involved in friendly matches on Thursday.
Birkirkara suffered their second defeat in their second outing, losing to Hamrun Spartans 4-3. The Stripes were in full strength with the exception of goalkeeper Justin Haber, Sunday Eboh and Kenneth Scicluna. Clint Micallef sustained an injury and was carried off to hospital. Michael Galea notched a brace with Burundi trialist Yves Nsengiyunva scored the other goal.
The Spartans had practically the same squad as last season since the only player who left the squad so far is Charlo Magro. Kevin Borg, Keith Fabri, Borisov and Mauro Brincat scored the last goal for Hamrun, converting a penalty.
At the St. Aloysius College, Valletta and Msida St. Joseph drew 0-0. Bulgarian midfielder Manol Georgiev played the whole 90 minutes for the Citizens, who lacked a number of regular players. The second Bulgarian trialist, 27-year-old Todor Simeonov was not included after arriving in Malta on Wednesday. Simeonov played for Slavia Sofia.
On the other hand, Msida had young Nigerian player Aganun Oluschoal making an impressive performance in his first outing for the newly-promoted side. The Nigerian was on the books of two Italian clubs Reggiana and Sampdoria over the past months.
In another match, Floriana defeated Second Division side Mellieha 2-0 at the Independence Arena. Nicolò Baldacchino scored the two goals for the Greens. Making his first appearance for Floriana was Nigerian striker Chika Onyekaba.
Thu 24
- Maltese international referee Joe Attard will be controlling the Intertoto Cup third round second leg match between FC Schalke 04 of Germany and FC Dacia Chisinau of Moldova at the Aufschalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday July 26.
Attard will be assisted by Philip Agius and Konrad G. Borg.
- The contingent of English Premiership side Bolton Wanderers will be arriving in Malta at 05:10 on Saturday morning.
Nigerian international Jay Jay Okocha and Bolton manager Sam Allardyce will not travel with the contingent and will arrive a few hours later.
Okocha is expected to travel to Malta immediately after the friendly Nigeria will be playing against Venezuela at the Reading Madesjski Stadium on Saturday. The Nigerian captain is expected to fly out of London early Saturday evening arriving in Malta late on Saturday night. Former Milan midfielder Ibrahim Ba will also travel to Malta later on Saturday to join the squad.
The tournament kicks-off on Sunday 27 with the game between Floriana and Birkirkara. The Stripes face Bolton on Tuesday 29 while Floriana take on Bolton on Thursday 31. All games will be played at the Hibernians Ground at 18:30.
Meanwhile Bolton Wanderers FC have today confirmed that captain Youri Djorkaeff, a member of the French squad which won the World Cup 1998 and the European Championship 2000 together with Bolton's latest signing Ivan Campo will be International Guests at the second Edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards being held on Saturday 26th July 2003. Bolton manager Mr. Sam Allardyce and assistant manager Mr. Phil Brown are also expected to be present.
The Trophy and Medal Presentation Ceremony will be held on Friday August 1st at Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort. Tickets are on sale at Lm 10.00 each. The Bolton squad leaves Malta on August 2nd at 06:30.
- Hibernians will be replacing champions Sliema Wanderers in the Lowenbrau Cup which kicks-off on Monday August 4th. The other teams who will be taking part are Birkirkara and Valletta.
Sliema are unable to take part in the pre-season competition due to a clash of fixture with their Champions League second qualifying round second leg against FC Copenhagen.
The tournament was scheduled to be played on August 4, 6 and 8. However there could be a change in the dates since Sliema play FC Copenhagen on August 6.
The draws will be held on Tuesday July 29.
Wed 23
- Champions League Skonto Riga vs Sliema W. 3-1
- Hibernians released Serbian defender Branko Nisevic.
Nisevic has been playing for Hibernians for the past three years after starring for Sliema Wanderers in the UEFA Cup qualifying round against Partizan Belgrade in August 2000.
Releasing Nisevic paves the way for the Paolites to sign young Nigerian striker Udochukwu Nwoko as their third foreigner.
Nwoko has been playing with the Paola Hibs Youth Nursery and the Hibernians' youth team over the past years.
- The voting for the category of the Most Beautiful Goal of the season was held during a meeting of the sub-organising committee of the second edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards which was held on Wednesday evening.
The three finalists are:
Carmel Formosa (Marsaxlokk) - a goal in the game against Mosta; Gilbert Agius (Valletta) - a goal in the game against Marsa and Johann Zammit (Marsaxlokk) - a goal in the game against Mosta.
Voting was based on a number of criteria, namely the action which led to the goal, the way the defence was anticipated and the way the scorer executed the goal.
Meanwhile during the event which will be held on Saturday at the Westin Dragonara Resort, a televoting question will be launched. The question will be a most topical one: Which team deserves the title of the Best Team of the season 2002/03? Sliema Wanderers who won the Premier League and the Lowenbrau Cup or Birkirkara who won the FA Trophy, Super Cup and Super 5 Cup?
Those who would like to vote for Sliema should phone 5004 3251 while those who would like to vote for Birkirkara should vote 5004 3252.
Lines are open and voters will have the chance to win a number of prizes including vouchers for Malizia products, vouchers by General Soft Drinks, Easyline Cards by Maltacom, 4 Smart SIM cards by Go Mobile, two Lm40 vouchers by Frank's Perfumery, a year's membership for the Westin Dragonara Reef Club and a set of ten t-shirts of the ten Premier clubs of last season together with those of the two teams who were promoted from Division 1, Msida and Balzan.
Tue 22
- Luke Dimech is expected to return back Malta after being released by English Second Division side Rushden & Diamonds with whom he was on trial for the past weeks.
Diamonds manager Brian Talbot released the player after watching him in action in three friendly matches.
"I'm not taking Luke Dimech who has been released after a trial. I played him for virtually the whole game on Saturday to make that decision over his future with this club."
Dimech played in the first half of a friendly match against Bedford Town and the whole 90 minutes in a match against Boreham Wood. Talbot then included the Maltese international in the starting line-up in last Saturday's game at non-league side St Albans.
Luke Dimech will be now start talks with Birkirkara, for whom he turned out for the past months. He had joined Birkirkara from Shamrock Rovers last January.
Speaking to the club's official website, www.birkirkarafc.com, Birkirkara FC media officer John Borg confirmed that discussions have been held between the club and Luke Dimech's representative and that further discussions will be held once the player returns to Malta.
- Sliema Wanderers are looking forward to reaching the second qualifying round of the Champions League as they face FC Skonto in Riga, kick-off at 17:30 CET.
The morale inside the Sliema clan is sky-high following a 2-0 win in the first leg at the Hibs Ground, goals by Bogdanovic and Doncic. Retaining this two-goal advantage will not be an easy job as Skonto will be all out to prove themselves in front of their supporters. However the Blues have all it takes to carry home a useful result.
Sliema coach Edward Aquilina is expected to make one change from the team which played in the first leg. Jamie Pace will be drafted in the starting line-up with Stefan Giglio replacing Kris Laferla in the heart of the defence.
Sliema's line-up should therefore be Murphy Akanji, Brian Said, Carlo Mamo, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Stefan Giglio, Jamie Pace, Noel Turner, Joe Brincat, Orosco Anonam, Danilo Doncic, Daniel Bogdanovic.
The other players at his disposal are: Matthew Farrugia, Kristian Laferla, Massimo Grima, Rupert Mangion, Kevin Sammut and Nenad Veselji.
The team which qualifies will be meeting Danish champions FC Copenhagen, first leg in the Danish capital on July 30.
- Bulgarian midfielder Manol Georgiev scored three goals in his first appearance for Valletta.
The Citizens defeated a selection of former Valletta players, now playing for amateur side Valletta St. Paul's, 4-0. Jeremy Agius scored the other goal.
The 31-year old player, formerly of Botev Plovdiv, played for Bulgarian First Division champions Rodopa Smolyan.
Georgiev is the first of two Bulgarian players who will be on trial with the Citizens after they released Rumen Galabov and Chris Oretan. The other foreigner on the club's books is Milen Penchev.
Mon 21
- A 17-man Sliema Wanderers squad leaves Malta on Monday, destination Riga, where the Premier League champions will be facing FC Skonto in the second leg of the Champions League first qualifying round.
Since Sliema managed to obtain a direct flight to Riga, it was not possible to take 18 players and all the club's officials due to a restricted number of available seats.
In fact, Stefano Grima was not included in the squad. Grima, who was on loan with Marsa, is expected to move to another club on loan.
The players selected by Edward Aquilina and Hugh Caruana are:
goalkeepers Murphy Akanji, Matthew Farrugia;
defenders Kristian Laferla, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Carlo Mamo, Brian Said;
midfielders Noel Turner, Stefan Giglio, Joe Brincat, Massimo Grima, Rupert Mangion, Jamie Pace, Kevin Sammut and
strikers Orosco Anonam, Danilo Doncic, Daniel Bogdanovic, Nenad Veselji.
The team which qualifies will be meeting Danish champions FC Copenhagen, first leg in the Danish capital on July 30.
Sun 20
- The organising committee of the second edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards announced the finalists who will be running for the awards in ten categories. The event will be held on Saturday 26 at the Westin Dragonara Resort.
The finalists are:
- L-Aqwa Attakkant (Best Striker): Danilo Doncic (Sliema), Michael Galea (Birkirkara), Adrian Mifsud (Hibernians);
- L-Aqwa Midfielder (Best Midfielder): Essien Mbong (Hibernians), Massimo Grima (Sliema), Noel Turner (Sliema);
- L-Aqwa Difensur (Best Defender): William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Lucian Dronca (Birkirkara), Riad Gangorsta (Floriana);
- L-Aqwa Goalkeeper (Best Goalkeeper): Murphy Akanji (Sliema), Saviour Darmanin (Pietà), Mario Muscat (Hibernians);
- L-Iktar Zghazugh Promettenti (Most Promising Youngster): Roderick Bajada (Hamrun), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), Kevin Sammut (Sliema);
- L-Aqwa Coach (Best Coach): Edward Aquilina (Sliema), Stephen Azzopardi (Birkirkara), Atanas Marinov (Hamrun);
- L-Aqwa Referee (Best Referee): Adrian D. Casha, Charles Agius, Lorry Sammut;
- L-Aqwa Assistant Referee (Best Assistant Referee): Philip Agius, Ingmar Spiteri, James Vella Clark;
- L-Aqwa Player Barrani (Best Foreigner): Milen Penchev (Valletta), Lucian Dronca (Birkirkara), Riad Gangorsta (Floriana);
- L-Aqwa Player Malti (Best Maltese Player): William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Noel Turner (Sliema), Michael Galea (Birkirkara).
The finalists for the Most Beautiful Goal award will be announced on Wednesday following the final meeting of the sub-committee.
Eligible for voting were 28 journalists, ten Premier League coaches, ten team captains and ten club presidents/officials.
- Three foreign players are on trial with newly-promoted Balzan Youths.
In fact as the Youths search for a third foreigner after signing Bulgarian goalkeeper Stojan Ivanov Simeonov, formerly of Rabat Ajax, and Czech midfielder Jaroslav Marx, they are giving a trial to another three players.
These are 25-year old Australian defender Tom Maric, formerly of Sydney United, together with a player from Nigeria and another from Congo.
The three players were included in a friendly match against Valletta at the Victor Tedesco Stadium which ended in a goalless draw.
Valletta had a number of players who returned after being on loan with other clubs last season, namely Sharlon Pace, Darren Vella, Jerryton Agius and Jeremy Agius. Due to a transfer prohibition, the Citizens cannot sign any new players yet.
Fri 18
- Nigerian midfielder Essien Mbong will be staying with Hibernians after signing a new three-year contract.
Mbong, whose contract with the Paolites expired last June, is now set to stay with the Paolites till June 2006. Mbong has been playing for Hibernians for the past five years, joining them in 1998.
The Paolites are currently discussing a deal with young Nigerian striker Udochukwu Nwoko, who has been playing with the Paola Hibs Youth Nursery and the Hibernians' youth team over the past years.
With Chukunyere already confirmed for next season, the signing of Nwoko would mean that Hibernians will have to release Branko Nisevic.
Meanwhile the club's official website www.hibernians.com.mt reports that there were some changes in the organisation of the Carlsberg Tournament which will be held in mid-August.
Floriana will replace Pietà Hotspurs in the tournament which will also include Marsaxlokk, Msida St. Joseph amnd hosts Hibernians.
The tourament will be played on August 11, 13 and 18.
Fri 18
- Rushden & Diamonds manager Brian Talbot will be making a decision over Luke Dimech after a friendly match, away at non-league side St Albans on Saturday.
Speaking to the Northampton Chronicle, Talbot said "Being without three central midfielders through knee injuries is obviously a concern for me. We've looked at Dimech in that position. He's very fit and aggressive."
"He will play the whole game tomorrow and then I will make a decision after the game. We will see whether he can play in my 'first team'."
Dimech played the whole 90 minutes in a friendly for English Second Division side Rushden & Diamonds in a friendly match against Boreham Wood on Wednesday.
The Diamonds won 1-0, a goal by Rodney Jack.
Dimech, who is being employed as a central midfielder was invited to extend his stay after what was described "a reasonable performance" in a 0-0 draw with Bedford last Saturday.
- National team defender Simon Vella joined Forfar Athletic in the Scottish Second Division.
The twenty-four-year old defender, who turned out for Airdrie United last season, has joined the Station Park side in a one-year deal.
Vella, whose father is Maltese, started his football career as a schoolboy with Wimbledon where he played for several years until earning a contract and obtaining a regular place in Wimbledon's Reserve team. He was loaned to Sutton United and then moved to Stenhousemuir in August 2001. But in March 2002, he joined Clydebank also in the Scottish Second Division.
Thu 17
- National team captain David Carabott will return with his home town Marsaxlokk after the Southseasiders agreed terms with Valletta over his transfer.
The agreement between the two clubs was reached on Wednesday morning. However the deal cannot be concluded yet as the Citizens are currently prohibited from involving themselves in the transfer market.
However since Marsaxlokk will be paying Valletta a transfer fee of around Lm 7,000, the MFA should give its go-ahead as this sum will be used to pay part of their pending debts.
35-year old Carabott, who played 117 matches for the national team, started his career with Marsaxlokk before joining Hibernians in 1987. After 13 years with the Paolites, he moved to Valletta where he has been playing for the past three years.
Marsaxlokk have so far secured the services of David Camilleri and Kevin Mamo and should announce the signing of Charlo Magro and Nikolai Slavtchev in the coming days. Pierre Grima, Trevor Templeman, Richard Buhagiar and Justin Tellus will be staying with the club after being on loan last season.
- Marsaxlokk defeated Birkirkara 1-0 in a friendly match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Thursday. English trialist Meshach Cole scored the only goal for the Southseasiders.
The two coaches, Stephen Azzopardi and Robert Kelly took the opportunity to use all the players in their squads in the very first outing of the season for the two teams.
Birkirkara had an attacking midfielder from Burundi, Yves Nsengiyunva, Malta U-19 striker Jonathan Fenech who plays for Blackpool and Zurrieq defender Jonathan Zammit making their first appearance. Young striker John Eboh, who plays for the Birkirkara youths was also included.
On the other hand, Marsaxlokk had three English players - midfielders Richard Liburd (ex-Middlesbrough, Bradford City and Carlisle) and Darren Dykes (ex-Tottenham, Leyton Orient, Buckingham Town, Swindon Town) together with Buckingham Town striker Meshach Cole. David Camilleri was also making his debut for Marsaxlokk but was unlucky to leave the pitch injured following a harsh tackle.
Matthew Calascione and Alan Mifsud were sent off late in the game.
Wed 16
- Birkirkara F.C. Youth Nursery Under 16 participates successfully in the “Upper Austria Cup 2003” in Wels.
Birkirkara F.C. Youth Nursery under 16 participated successfully, placing
3rd in the “Upper Austria Cup 2003” in Wels held between 7th July and
13th July 2003. Ten teams participated in Category A (boys born in 1986).
In Group A the Stripes had to meet Karpati Lemberg (Ukraine), Monte Mare
S.C. (Italy), F.C. Viteauto (Moldovia) and NASA A (USA). In Group B the
teams were New England Selection (USA), IFK Klagsham (Sweden), Traun
Aushwahr (Austria), NASA B (USA) and F.C. DYOC (Tanzania).
On Monday 7th, the under 16 played against Monte Mare S.C. (Italy) and the
result was 3-3. The Stripes were down three goals at the end of the first
half but a brace from Joel Sammut Vasquez and a fantastic goal from Ian
Borg equalized the score. On Tuesday the Birkirkara Boys played two games,
the first one against Karpati Lemberg (Ukraine), last years champions, and
the second game against NASA A (USA), a team from Florida region sponsored
by NASA.The games ended both 0-0, the boys started feeling that they were
just as good as everyone else.
Wednesday we had our last game of the group stage. The opponents were from
the Moldovan team F.C. Viteauto. The Stripes won this game 1-0, Steve
Garzia scored with a fine header.
Thursday 10th it was quarter-final day. The Boys played against a United
States Team, New England Selection. This team has a selection base of more
than 200,000 children to choose from. They won Group B with a clean sheet.
The Stripes won this encounter by an odd goal in the Extra time. Ian Borg
was the scorer. In the Semi-final, the stripes had to meet again the
Italian side of Monte Mare. This time Birkirkara lost the game 3-1, again
Joel Sammut Vasquez was our scorer.
Besides participating in the soccer tournament, the Birkirkara entourage
had the opportunity to visit Salzburg, Salzkammergut and Vienna. The
Birkirkara contingent that consistent of 21 people returned back on Sunday
13th July 2003.
Wed 16
- Champions League Sliema Wanderers vs Skonto Riga 2-0
- The Organising Committee of the second edition of the Malta Football Awards met for the first time at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St. Julian's.
During the meeting, among the items to be discussed were the reasons for which the committee was set up and the proposals regarding a number of special awards which will be presented during the event on July 26.
During the meeting, chaired by organiser Sandro Micallef, the main discussion was centred around how these special awards will be given. An agreement was reached over the presentation of three special awards: one for a player who established some important milestone during the season, one for a former national team player and another one for a person formerly involved in football following a long career working behind the scenes.
Attending the meeting were: John Farrugia and Charles Scerri nominated by the Executive of the MFA, Victor Battistino and Joseph Borda from the Ministry for Youth and the Arts, Charles Camenzuli from the Ghaqda Kittieba Sport, John Busuttil from In-Nazzjon,
Joseph Farrugia from l-Orizzont, Richard Attard from Maltacom, Tony Debono, Sergio Carbonaro, Marika Muscat and Sandro Micallef from the organising committee.
The sale of tickets for the event is now gaining momentum. Tickets may be obtained by contacting the organisers on mfawards@hotmail.com or 7949 9999 for the price of Lm 5.
The categories for the Westin Malta Football Awards 2002/03 are:
L-Aqwa Attakkant (Best Striker)
L-Aqwa Midfielder (Best Midfielder)
L-Aqwa Difensur (Best Defender)
L-Aqwa Goalkeeper (Best Goalkeeper)
L-Aqwa Player Malti (Best Maltese Player)
L-Aqwa Player Barrani (Best Foreign Player)
L-Aqwa Coach (Best Coach)
L-Aqwa Referee (Best Referee)
L-Aqwa Assistant Referee (Best Assistant Referee)
L-Aktar Zaghzugh Promettenti (Most Promising Youngster)
L-Isbah Goal (Most Beautiful Goal)
- Marsaxlokk handed in the registration of three players - David Camilleri and Pierre Grima, who join the club on loan from Sliema, and Kevin Mamo who joined them from Pietà Hotspurs.
The Southseasiders also announced the signing of Trevor Templeman. Templeman was on loan from Sliema last season.
Meanwhile Marsaxlokk are expected to finalise the transfer of Nikolai Slavtchev and Charlo Magro from Marsa and Hamrun Spartans respectively. Both Marsa and Hamrun are currently prohibited from entering the transfer market due to the several prohibitions inflicted by the Players and Coaches Complaints Board. The two clubs were also given a prohibition by the Member Clubs Licensing Committee.
However the ban on the two clubs will be lifted temporarily in the coming days in order to allow them to transfer the players in question.
Marsaxlokk will be giving trials to three English players - two midfielders and a striker.
- The Malta Football Association is considering the possibility of moving its headquarters to Ta' Qali, inside the Millennium Stand.
This was revealed during the last meeting of the season of the Council of the Malta Football Association which was held on Monday.
Although the MFA has recently bought another house in St. Paul's Street, Valletta, next to the current headquarters, the association is thinking seriously about moving its premises to Ta' Qali which would make a much more modern headquarters.
All the pros and cons are being considered. If the headquarters are moved to Ta' Qali, the administration will be concentrated in one place. Ample parking space would be available unlike Valletta which however could be a more central place for those who make use of the association's services.
The present premises were inaugurated in 1983.
Tue 15
- UEFA will consider lifting a ban on matches in Israel at the end of the month following a meeting with the country's foreign minister Silvan Shalom on Monday. If this ban is lifted, Malta will have to play its final EURO 2004 qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv.
UEFA-sanctioned games are not permitted in Israel after a ban was imposed in March 2002 because of the security situation.
Shalom, accompanied by Israel FA chief Gavri Levi, met UEFA's chief executive Gerhard Aigner and his successor Lars Christer Olsson in Switzerland on Monday to plead for the ban to be lifted.
According to UEFA communications director Mike Lee, the meeting was a very positive meeting "and the minister was able to make the case for matches to be played in Israel."
"We made it clear that there is no change in the position, but we will be reviewing that at the end of the month. We'll see how it develops in the meantime."
UEFA have already named neutral venues for Israeli club sides in Europe next season but Israel want to play their final home EURO 2004 qualifier against Malta in Tel Aviv. World soccer's governing body FIFA, however, said last month that Israel's home World Cup qualifiers would be played in Tel Aviv regardless of UEFA's position.
Shalom, who has said he has received messages of support from 15 of his counterparts across Europe, presented eight letters from foreign ministers who have called on UEFA to lift the ban.
"It was a very positive meeting in which I expressed the need to allow international soccer to be allowed back to Israel as soon as possible," he said.
"I explained to UEFA's chiefs that lifting the ban would be yet another milestone on the road to peace. We think there is a huge change in the region which can manifest itself in the ability of Israelis to watch matches in Israel. Soccer is Israel's main sport and it is very important to us," Shalom said.
- Sliema Wanderers will be aiming at obtaining a positive result as they host Latvian champions FC Skonto Riga in the first leg of the first qualifying round of the Champions League at the Hibernians Ground on Wednesday, kick-off at 17:30.
Meeting Skonto provides an opportunity for revenge for Kris Laferla, Stefan Giglio and coach Edward Aquilina. The three of them formed part of the Valletta FC squad which was eliminated by Skonto from the first qualifying round of the Champions League in 1997. The Citizens won 1-0 at Ta' Qali but Skonto qualified thanks to a 2-0 win at home.
The signing of Stefan Giglio, Daniel Bogdanovic, Jamie Pace, Lee Lombardi and Dybrill Sylla was a major boost for what was already a very strong squad.
However Sylla and Lombardi are not eligible to play for Sliema yet. Lombardi cannot register for the Blues before August 27 when his one year contract with Pietà Hotspurs was due to expire.
Giglio and Bogdanovic should be included in the starting line-up while Pace should start on the bench. The only player who will be missing is Ian Ciantar, who is ruled out injured till the end of the year.
The starting line-up is expected to be: Murphy Akanji, Brian Said, Kris Laferla, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Carlo Mamo, Stefan Giglio, Joe Brincat, Noel Turner, Orosco Anonam, Danilo Doncic, Daniel Bogdanovic.
Skonto Riga dominate the domestic scene in Latvia considering that they won twelve successive championships in the last twelve years.
The Latvian champions returned on top of the domestic league table this weekend after obtaining two wins in four days beating Gauja 2-0 and Auda 4-0. They lead the table by two points over Metalurgs. However the latter have two games in hand.
The team which qualifies will be meeting Danish champions FC Copenhagen.
- The MFA Referees Board shall hold this year’s Annual Referees Seminar at the Centenary Hall. Ta’ Qali, between the 17th and 20th July, 2003, with the participation of all First and Second Class Referees and the Match Inspectors.
The main speaker of the Seminar appointed by FIFA will be Mr Jozef Marko from Slovakia FA who is a Member of the UEFA Referees Committee.
The MFA President, Dr Joe Mifsud, will address the Seminar on Thursday, 17th July at 18:00, followed by a short Introduction to the Seminar by Mr T.A. Restall, Head of the MFA Referees Dept.
The Seminar will proceed with a full-day programme on Friday and Saturday which includes lectures on various topics such as ‘Law 12 – Fouls& Misconduct’ and ‘Communication – Referees and his Assistants’ (Jozef Marko), ‘Referee/Coach Relationship’ (Horst Heese, MFA Technical Director), ‘Dealing with Stress during a match’ (Ms Balzan, psychologist), ‘Medical Aspects’ (Dr David Attard, MFA National Team Doctor) and ‘The Referee and the Media’ (Charles Camenzuli, Journalist who is the current Secretary of AIPS and the Gh.K.S.)
The Seminar also includes practical Demonstrations on the Field of Play as well as Group Discussions.
This year’s Seminar will come to an end on Sunday morning, July 20th , with Holy Mass followed by another lecture by Mr Jozef Marko on ‘Pre-match Talk – Uniformity in given Instructions’.
The Closing Address will be made by Dr J. Mifsud, MFA President who is also a Member of the UEFA Executive Committee and Chairman of the MFA Referees Board.
Mon 14
- The National League organised by the Malta Football Association, from the Premier to the Third Division, will once again have a sponsorship following an agreement which was reached between the association and the Malta International Airport earlier this year.
Speaking during a press-conference at the Centenary Hall, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said clubs will benefit from this sponsorship, which was achieved thanks to the MIA and in particular, MIA Chief Executive Officer Peter Bolech and Finance Minister John Dalli.
There is an improvement of about 33% over the previous sponsorship which the association had for its National League. Clubs will receive the sum of Lm 19,650 from the new sponsorship.
Premier League champions will receive Lm 3,000; the runners-up Lm 1,500; the next six teams Lm 1,000 each and the two relegated sides Lm 800. The First Division champions will receive Lm 1,000, the runners-up LM 500, the next six teams Lm 250 and the two relegated sides Lm 150. The Second Division champions will receive Lm 600; the runners-up Lm 300; the next eight teams Lm 150 each and the two relegated sides Lm 100. On the other hand, the Third Division champions will receive Lm 400; the runners-up Lm 200; the next twelve teams Lm 100 each and the last two teams Lm 75.
The MFA president said the draws mark the beginning of season 2003/04, although season 2002/03 formally comes to an end with the Annual General Meeting which will be held on July 26.
Dr Mifsud said last season saw a decrease in the attendances for Premier League matches pointing out the non-stop electoral campaigns leading the referendum and general elections as one, but not the only reason.
To analyse the reason behind the lack of spectators on the stands, the association has commissioned a survey which will be carried out by MISCO. The survey should start in the coming weeks and will last two or three months. The results should be available by October.
Dr Mifsud expressed his hopes of this season's championship being a more competitive one. He said the format of the leagues was discussed between the administration and clubs. However no agreement was reached and this was one of the reasons for which a survey will be carried out before drastic changes are made to the format.
MIA CEO Peter Bolech said the sponsorship of the competitions organised by the Malta Football Association was a milestone in the history of the company.
The MIA wants to show its commitment to Maltese society in different aspects. Since the company wished to sponsor sports events, the MIA opted to sponsor football which is undoubtedly the most popular sports on the island.
Due to the new sponsorship, the winners of the Premier League championship and the other leagues will be winning new cups.
An artist impression of the new Premier League trophy was unveiled during the press-conference.
Meanwhile the Malta Football Association is still discussing over new sponsorships for the FA Trophy, the Women's League and the Youth League. The sponsorship agreement with the Ministry of Finance over the Super 5 Cup and participation in the Intertoto Cup was extended by another year.
- Champions Sliema Wanderers will begin their defence of the title with a match against Marsaxlokk following the draws of the MIA Premier League which were held on Monday at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali.
The draws were held following during a press-conference which was addressed by MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud and Malta International Airport Chief Executive Officer Peter Bolech.
Birkirkara take on Pietà Hotspurs while Valletta face Hamrun Spartans. Newly-promoted Balzan Youths and Msida St. Joseph will entertain Floriana and Hibernians respectively.
The Premier League kicks-off on August 22 with the first phase ending on February 8. The final Premier League matches will be played on May 9.
In Division 1, Marsa and Mosta, who were both relegated from the Premier League will face Lija Athletic and Second Division champions Tarxien Rainbows respectively. Senglea Athletics take on San Gwann while Mqabba face Rabat Ajax. St. Patrick vs Naxxar Lions is the other match in the first round of games.
The first matches for the other leagues are:
MIA Division 2: Gozo vs Dingli S., Vittoriosa S. vs Zejtun C., Mellieha vs Zurrieq, Xghajra T. vs Gzira U., Zebbug R. vs St. Andrews and St. George's vs Attard.
MIA Division 3: Sta. Lucia vs Birzebbuga SP, Mgarr U. vs Ta' Xbiex, Luqa SA vs Qormi, Siggiewi vs Sirens, Ghaxaq vs Melita, Kirkop U. vs Fgura U., Sta. Venera L. vs Gudja U. and Gharghur vs Pembroke A.
The draws for the Second & Third Division Knock-Out were:
Group 1: Attard, Vittoriosa S., Sta. Lucia, Mgarr U.
Group 2: Dingli S., Zejtun C., B' Bugia SP, Ta' Xbiex
Group 3: Mellieha, Xghajra T., Luqa SA, Siggiewi
Group 4: Zurrieq, Qormi, Sirens
Group 5: Gzira U., Ghaxaq, Kirkop U.
Group 6: Zebbug R., Melita, Fgura U.
Group 7: St. Andrews, Sta. Venera L., Gharghur
Group 8: St. George's, Gudja U., Pembroke A.
Gozo FC chose not to take part in the knock-out.
- Although the ten Premier League clubs were given a licence for the coming season, a number of conditions were imposed on three of them - Floriana, Hamrun Spartans and Valletta. Out of all the 48 member clubs, the only club yet to obtain a license is Xghajra Tornadoes.
This was revealed by MFA vice-president John Farrugia, chairman of the Member Clubs Licensing Committee, during the press-conference preceding the National League draws and later during a meeting of the Council of the Malta Football Association.
All member clubs had applied for a licence by July 2nd, except for Second Division side Xghajra Tornadoes. Xghajra handed their application late last week. But still, the Council gave the board the go-ahead to process the application and since they applied for amateur status, they should obtain a licence.
Problems related to debts with players was the main reason for which a number of clubs were given a licence but only on certain conditions. The other clubs are Marsa, Naxxar Lions, Rabat Ajax and St. Patrick from Division 1.
Clubs who still owe money to their players from the previous season will have to pay half their dues by the end of August and the remaining debts by the end of May. In the mean time, these clubs are prohibited from signing new players but may be granted permission to sell players in order to settle their debts with players.
Meanwhile MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said that for those clubs willing to take part in UEFA competitions, they need to obtain a licence which will also be issued by the local body. These regulations, which are much more strict, were approved by the Council of the MFA and amended by UEFA.
UEFA licences will be issued in the period between January and April. Local clubs were given the option to be compliant with the UEFA regulations by next December when they are requested to hand in their application.
Dr Mifsud wished clubs who qualify for UEFA competitions on sporting merit will eventually obtain a licence and take part. However he pointed out that the European body is making it clear that only those clubs who obtain a UEFA licence will be allowed to take part and a team which ends third or fourth could possibly represent a country in the Champions League if the champions or runners-up fail to obtain a licence.
Sun 13
- Malta international defender Luke Dimech made his first apearance with Rushden & Diamonds, the team managed by former Hibernians coach Brian Talbot.
Dimech, who is on trial with the Third Division champions, played in the first half of a friendly match against Bedford Town. Talbot replaced all the players in the beginning of the second half. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Dimech, who joined Birkirkara last January, is hoping to secure a contract in England after playing for Shamrock Rovers in the Irish Premier League early last season. Last summer, the strong defender had trials with Notts County and Lincoln City.
After leaving Hibernians, with whom he won two successive Premier League titles, Talbot took over Rushden & Diamonds when the team was still a non-league club in the Nationwide Conference. After a couple of years, the former Hibs mentor helped Rushden win promotion to the Third Division in 2000/01 and then to the Second Division the following season.
- Malta could be forced to play its final EURO 2004 qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv if UEFA accepts a request by the Israeli FA, supported by the foreign ministers of Italy and Spain.
UEFA had approved Antalya, Turkey as a neutral venue for the game following a ban on Israel hosting any club or national-team matches because of the volatile security situation in the Middle East. The match is scheduled for Sepetember 10.
However the Israeli FA is trying to have home matches against European opponents returned to Israel. Their bid has also gained European ministerial support after the foreign ministers of Italy and Spain have both sent letters to UEFA ahead of a top-level meeting on Monday to discuss a lifting of a UEFA ban on home games introduced in March 2002.
The meeting will bring together Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom, IFA chief Gavri Levi and UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner, plus his successor, Lars Christer Olsson.
"I would like to underline the recent and positive developments between Israel and the Palestinians," wrote Italy's Franco Frattini in a letter addressed to UEFA president Lennart Johansson and made public by Israeli foreign officials. "These new circumstances suggest a possible reconsideration of the ban ... I believe, Europe's interest is to encourage a return to normality in all fields, in order to strengthen the progress towards peace."
Spain's foreign minister, Anna Palacio, also wrote to Aigner asking him to reconsider the ban. "A reversal of the decision would send out a clear signal that the situation in the Middle East has improved, and from a strictly sporting sphere, it would contribute to stabilization in the region," she wrote.
Shalom said earlier this week that he had enlisted the support of 15 European countries and that it was time for a change.
"Things have changed, it is time for Israeli soccer to benefit from the fruits of the peace process," he said.
Levi said Israel was as safe as any other country in the world. "We must play here, even if something unfortunate does happen. There are tragedies all over the world. This is the safest place to play."
Sepp Blatter, head of the game's ruling body worldwide, FIFA, said last month that Israel's home World Cup qualifiers would be played in Tel Aviv regardless of UEFA's position.
The Israeli national team have not played at home since October 2001, except for two friendly internationals against Armenia and Moldova earlier this year.
Club sides have not played in European cup competitions in Israel since March 2002, when the ban was introduced amid rising tensions in the region.
Sat 12
- Works at the Hibernians Ground consisting of the fixing of new seats at the Hibernians Ground are nearing completion in order to be used for the first time in next Wednesday's Champions League qualifier between Sliema Wanderers and Skonto Riga.
Minister for Youth and the Arts Jesmond Mugliett, who visited the Hibernians Ground on Saturday morning, said the new seating will make the stadium more attractive and comfortable. The Ministry decided to carry most of the burden in the expenses involved for buying the seats as this will be providing an alternative venue for Premier League clubs when playing matches against foreign opposition.
The government will spend about Lm2,500 while Sliema will be paying for the fixing of the new seats.
When the works at the Hibernians Ground will be completed, the stadium will be compliant with UEFA regulations which state that Champions League and UEFA Cup matches should be played at all-seated stadiums. The new seats satisfy UEFA specifications.
Besides the Champions League qualifier, the Hibernians Ground will be used later this month for a triangular tournament organised by Floriana. Birkirkara and English Premiership side Bolton Wanderers will be taking part in the tournament.
Mugliett said that while it was important to provide alternative venues, foreign teams and journalists who visit Malta should find top level facilities on the island since these are also a showcase for Maltese sports.
- Marsaxlokk have not given up their hope yet of signing national team captain David Carabott from Valletta.
Carabott is tied with the Citizens for another two years as his contract expires in 2005. Valletta are willing to respect this contract. But still, Marsaxlokk are determined to sign the 35-year old midfielder who started his career with the Southseasiders. It is also no secret that the player would like to end his career with the team he was brought up with.
Marsaxlokk had made a first attempt to sign the player last January.
So far they have signed David Camilleri and Pierre Grima on a one-year loan from Sliema Wanderers, Richard Buhagiar from Floriana, Justin Tellus from Birkirkara and Nikolai Slavtchev from Marsa. Their latest signing was that of Kevin Mamo who joins the Southseasiders from Pietà Hotspurs. Mamo, a product of Sliema Wanderers, signed a two-year contract.
Reggie Cini and foreigners Uwa Ogbodo and Benneth Njoku have been released.
Valletta, on the other hand, are yet to sign any new players despite losing Chris Oretan and Nicky Saliba and releasing Rumen Galabov. The Citizens have expressed interest in Kurt Farrugia of Pietà Hotspurs and Adrian Ciantar of Hibernians and are expected to give a trial to two Bulgarian players.
However for the time being, Valletta cannot involve themselves in the transfer market due to a prohibition.
- Sliema Wanderers unveiled their new players for this season during a press-conference which was held on Friday. The Blues also announced a new sponsor.
Lee Lombardi, Jamie Pace, Dybrill Sylla, Daniel Bogdanovic and Stefan Giglio will continue to strengthen what already was a strong squad.
Lombardi and Pace join Sliema from Pietà Hotspurs while the other three players will be making a return to Malta after playing abroad. Guinean-born midfielder Dybrill Sylla was playing for an amateur team in Germany while Stefan Giglio and Daniel Bogdanovic return from Bulgaria after playing for Lokomotiv Sofia and Cherno More Varna last season.
Daikin will be Sliema Wanderers' sponsors after reaching an agreement for the next five years. Daikin replace Danone whose four-year contract with the Blues expired at the end of the season. Other sponsorship agreements could be concluded in the coming days, thanks to the help of former Marsa president Joe Gauci, who is now a member of the Sliema committee.
Tickets for Champions League qualifier against Skonto Riga is now on. Tickets for the game are available at the Miramare Hotel, St. Julian's. The game, which will be staged on Wednesday at the Hibernians Ground, kicks-off at 17:30. Transport will be provided from Dingli Street c/w Depiro Street at 16:30.
Meanwhile Sliema drew 2-2 with the Nigerian Stars in a friendly match at the St. Aloysius College on Friday evening. Orosco Anonam put Sliema ahead but Chris Oretan levelled the score. The Blues regained the lead with a goal by Veselji but Victor Egere made it 2-2.
Fri 11
- The honours for season 2002-03 were given during the Annual Awards Ceremony of the Malta Football Association which was held at the Millennium Stand, Ta' Qali.
Before the presentation, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud delivered a short speech during which he pointed out the positive and negative aspects that marked this season.
Mifsud said that the decrease in attendances, especially for Premier League football, was something to worry about. Several factors contributed for this, mainly the referendum and general election campaigns together with the lack of competitiveness in the Premier League. He stressed that although our league cannot boast of top-level footballers, competitiveness could be achieved. In fact, the MFA president appealed for more commitment by players.
The association will be commissioning a survey to find out why the attendances for football matches is on the decrease. The survey will cost thousands of liri but will eventually help the MFA to find a solution for the problem.
Dr Mifsud said he was satisfied that there were hardly any incidents on the field of play and thanks to the police forces, the conduct by supporters was generally good.
It was then the turn of the presentation of the various awards.
Malta international midfielder Noel Turner claimed the Footballer of the Year award 2002/03 to complete a most successful season after winning the championship with Sliema Wanderers.
The award for the Best Player of The Year in the First Division went to Mqabba striker John Paul Muscat. Stephen Cassar of Zebbug Rangers was voted as the Best Player in the Second Division while Keith Darmanin won the award for the Third Division. Adam Smeir of Rabat Ajax won the Best U-19 Player award. On the other hand, Dorianne Theuma of Hibernians won the award for the Best Player in the Women's League. The Best Player in the Futsal League was Francis Sant of Air Malta Cabin Crew.
The top scorers in the various divisions were:
Premier League: 18 goals - Michael Galea (Birkirkara), Adrian Mifsud (Hibs) and Danilo Doncic (Sliema).
First Division: 20 goals - Daniel Nwoke (Msida).
Second Division: 27 goals - Simon Shead (Tarxien).
Third Division: 14 goals - Matthew Borg (Melita).
Women's League: 19 goals - Dorianne Theuma (Hibs).
Sliema Wanderers won the Fair Play Award over-all. The Fair Play awards in the various divisions were given to Sliema (Premier), Naxxar (First), St. Andrews (Second), Sirens (Third), Pietà (Youths) and Birkirkara (Women).
Former referee Charles Agius was presented with a memento for the long service offered.
Thu 10
- UEFA announced radical changes to the UEFA Cup as from next season, 2004/05.
From 2004/05, the UEFA Cup format will be based on a first round knock-out phase of 80 teams, followed by a group phase involving 40 teams in eight groups of five. Three teams from each group together with eight teams from the UEFA Champions League qualify for the final knockout phase, which will consist of 32 teams.
Maltese clubs will still start from the qualifying round which leads to the first round knock-out phase.
UEFA and Europe's major clubs have been involved in an extensive consultation process about the future format of the UEFA Cup. The European body and the clubs decided over several months of discussions that the competition was in need of an enhanced profile, to give it a similar public and commercial appeal to the Champions League.
UEFA President Lennart Johansson said: "We have acted to refresh and develop the competition for the future. Today's decision follows an extensive consultation exercise within European football and reflects the consensus for change. We believe that the proposed format will add a new and exciting element to the UEFA Cup, which will boost it as an attractive European club competition."
The new format means that there will be 16 matchdays in the UEFA Cup calendar with a total of 221 matches being played. A significant difference between the UEFA Champions league format and the new UEFA Cup format is that the UEFA Cup group stage will not feature clubs playing each other on a home and away basis. Instead the five clubs in each group will play the other four teams in the group only once.
UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner has said that the new format for the UEFA Cup shows that UEFA is listening to Europe's clubs and leagues.
"The initiative came in the first place from clubs from the so-called middle-ranking nations wishing to have more international encounters and experience. Some ideas were born to create regional leagues and so on to cater for these wishes. I think that in the new concept for the UEFA Cup we meet to a certain degree the wishes of these clubs who have the ambition to be in European competition but don't reach the UEFA Champions League or at least not on a regular basis."
Mr Aigner added that the prevailing straitened financial conditions affecting European football were not a factor in the decision. "What was important for us was to give a better platform to these clubs coming from middle-sized countries to keep up in their sporting development with the bigger clubs," he said. "Let the economic development take the pace that it wants; it effects everyone, also the clubs in the big markets, but it should not be the guiding factor for us to construct competitions."
- For the tenth consecutive year Sirens FC will be organizing the Maurice Debono Tournament.
This event is open to all clubs participating in the 'second' or 'third' division MFA leagues 2003/2004, and will be held between the 11th and the 28th August, 2003. All matches will be played at the Sirens Football Ground and controlled by MFA official referees.
For more information telephone Mr. Lino Camilleri on: 21582602 or 99260046 Fax: 21582536 or e-mail: jcopperstone@searchmalta.com
Wed 9
- Malta international defender Luke Dimech is on trial with English Second Division side Rushden & Diamonds, the team managed by former Hibernians coach Brian Talbot.
Dimech is currently training with the Diamonds and his future with the club will be at stake on Saturday when he will be given a 45-minute run out in a friendly match against Bedford.
Diamonds are continuing their preparations for the start of the new season and Brian is expected to take a squad of around 24 players for the short trip into Bedfordshire.
"I know Dimech from my time in Malta when I was manager of Hibernians. I saw him play six years ago when he was a decent youngster at another club. He has developed into the full squad and now he wants to play over here," Talbot told the Northampton Chronicle.
Dimech, who joined Birkirkara last January, is hoping to secure a contract in England after playing for Shamrock Rovers in the Irish Premier League early last season. Last summer, the strong defender had trials with Notts County and Lincoln City.
After leaving Hibernians, with whom he won two successive Premier League titles, Talbot took over Rushden & Diamonds when the team was still a non-league club in the Nationwide Conference. After a couple of years, the former Hibs mentor helped Rushden win promotion to the Third Division in 2000/01 and then to the Second Division the following season.
Wed 9
- Stefan Giglio will be signing a one-year contract with Sliema Wanderers after obtaining the free-release from Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia.
Although CSKA offered Giglio a two-year contract earlier this year, the Maltese international midfielder was no longer in the plans of coach Stoycho Mladenov. Staying at CSKA would have meant hardly playing any first-team football although interested in obtaining his services were two Bulgarian Premier League clubs - Naftex Burgas and Slavia Sofia.
Giglio, who joined CSKA in January 2001 and who was on loan with Lokomotiv Sofia last season, could make his debut for Sliema on Friday as the Blues face the Nigerian Stars in a friendly match at the Hibernians Ground.
In another match between the two teams on Tuesday, Sliema won 5-1, goals by Orosco Anonam, Kevin Sammut and Joe Brincat in the first half, Sammut and Rupert Mangion in the second. Ndubisi Chukunyere replied for the Nigerian Stars.
Lee Lombardi, Jamie Pace, Dybrill Sylla and Daniel Bogdanovic all made their first appearance for the Blues during the game.
- There were several changes in the committee of the Malta Football Referees Association following the Annual General Meeting which was held earlier this week.
Mark Spiteri is the new president of the association, replacing Patrick Fenech who has now been appointed as Honorary President. Charles Agius is the Vice-President while Adrian Casha is the secretary. Ray Ambrogio was elected as Treasurer.
Charles Agius will be representing the MFRA in the Referees Board and the Council of the Malta Football Association.
- Nigerian striker Chika Onyekaba will arrive in Malta on Friday week for a three-week trial with Floriana.
During the trial, Onyekaba will form part of the Floriana squad which will face Birkirkara and English Premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers in a triangular tournament at the Hibernians Ground during the last week of July.
Meanwhile Floriana turned down a request for Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza from Sliema Wanderers. On the other hand, Richard Buhagiar will probably be transferred to Marsaxlokk. Buhagiar was already on loan with the Southseasiders last season.
The Greens were interested in signing Roderick Bajada from Hamrun Spartans as a part-settlement of a Lm 12,000 debt. However Hamrun have no intention of releasing Bajada, who was one of their best players last season.
Tue 8
- Stefan Giglio is on the verge of joining Sliema Wanderers.
Following talks between the player and officials from the two clubs, an agreement seems to have been reached over the transfer of Giglio on a one-year loan. Giglio is the fifth signing for the champions following Lee Lombardi, Jamie Pace, Dybrill Sylla and Daniel Bogdanovic.
Giglio was attracting the interest of another two local clubs - Birkirkara and his first love, Valletta. Also interested in obtaining his services were two Bulgarian Premier League clubs - Naftex Burgas and Slavia Sofia.
Stefan Giglio therefore returns to Malta after two-and-a-half years in Bulgaria. Although he was due to return for CSKA after a one-year loan with Lokomotiv Sofia, Giglio's chances of playing first-team football with the champions are quite limited.
- Bolton Wanderers FC have announced their full list of players that will be travelling to Malta for the forthcoming tournament hosted by Floriana FC.
The squad is made up of:
Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kevin Poole, Ricardo Wayne Gardner, Jermaine Johnson, Henrik Pedersen, Per Frandsen, Jonathan Walters, Kevin Nolan, Delroy Facey, Daniel Livesey, Anthony Barness, Simon Charlton, Jeffrey Smith, Nicholas Hunt, Gareth Farrelly, Youri Djorkaeff, Florent Laville, Bruno N'Gotty, Stylianos Giannakopoulos, Stig Tofting and Jay Jay Okocha.
The squad will be accompanied by manager Sam Allardyce, assistant manager Philip Brown, first team coach Neil McDonald, physio Peter Mark Taylor, strength and conditioning coach Mark Howard, together with Fazial Page, Fred Barber, Russell Byrne-Fraser and Mike Forde.
In the first match on Sunday 27, Floriana meet Birkirkara. The Stripes face Bolton on Tuesday 29 while Floriana take on Bolton on Thursday 31. This game should act as a testimonial match for Dennis Cauchi. Roger Walker of Marsaxlokk, a former player of Bolton, will be playing for the Greens as a guest player. All games will be played at the Hibernians Ground at 18:30.
A reception will be held at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort where the presentation of the trophies and commemorative medals will be presented to all the participants of the tournament. Tickets for the matches will be on sale at Lm 2.50 per match or Lm 6.00 for a block ticket. Tickets will be available from the Bugibba Holiday Complex, Coastline Hotel, Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, Jobbers Ironmongery, Vilhena Band Club, Birkirkara FC, Market Kiosk and Sultana Stationery.
- Preparations for the second edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards are well in advance as the event is fast approaching.
The Organizing Committee of the second edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards has confirmed the following personalities for this year's edition:
Male Personalities: Joe Dimech - PBS, Sergio Carbonaro - DJ Bay Radio, Toni Busuttil - Net TV, Carlo Borg Bonaci - DJ Bay Radio, Enzo Guzman - DJ Radio Calypso, Carmel Busuttil - ex-National Team Player, Mario Micallef - actor TV/Drama, Charles Camenzuli - Net TV.
Female Personalities: Moira Delia - TV presenter, Janice Mifsud - One Sports, Miriam Dalli - One News, Kim Demajo - Model, Miss Roberta - DJ Bay Radio, Mireille Bonello - TV presenter, Claire Agius Ordway - Net TV, Angela Galea - Swimmer, Sarah Spiteri - Miss Italia Malta 2003.
Meanwhile event organizer Sandro Micallef together with Effects Promotions are organizing a Pre-Event Party next Saturday 12th July 2003 at Gianpula Discotheque. Special guests for the night include: National team players, premier clubs players, club officials, journalists, supporters and VIP personalities who would be guest-starring during the actual Awards ceremony.
During the night a ticket booth will be set up at Gianpula for the sale of tickets costing LM5 each. Tickets can be purchased also from Geraldu Kiosk, Republic Street Valletta as from Friday 11th July.
VIP passes for the Pre-Event Party @ Gianpula may be obtained be sending an SMS request indicating amount on 7949 9999.
- Two teams from the Paola Hibernians Football Nursery won tournaments which were held in Italy.
Between the 24th and 30th June, the Paola Hibernians Under-10 team, took part in the 5th Assemini Cup in Sardegna. The team was composed of ten players and 4 club delegates and a number of parents who supported the team all its way to winning the prestigous tournament.
The Maltese boys played stunning football, winning all 6 games to the final. The other participants came from Rome, Belgium, Romania, Hungary and local sides like Cagliari. The Poalites left a great impresseion with the scouts present at the tournament. The Club officials where praised by the Italian scouts, who came from big clubs such as Juventus, Cagliari, Udinese and Spal.
This was the second consectutive win for a team from Paola, as in last years edition, the Hibernians side clinched the title.
Last weekend, the Paola Hibs Under-12 side won the "Meeting Della Speranza", an international youth tournament which was held at Santa Croce di Magliano, Italy.
In the final, Paola Hibs defeated Polish side KS Zantka of Poland 4-0. The other teams were Team Futura (Molise) and Pol. SS. Pietro e Paolo (Termoli).
Mon 7
- Stefan Giglio could return to Malta after two-and-a-half years in Bulgaria. Although he was due to return for CSKA after a one-year loan with Lokomotiv Sofia, Giglio's chances of playing first-team football with the champions are quite limited.
The 23-year-old Malta international midfielder had extended his contract with CSKA Sofia for another two years after negotiating a better deal earlier this year.
In the presentation of the club's plans for the coming season, CSKA Sofia coach Stoycho Mladenov made it clear that he wanted to have 27-28 players at his disposal.
In fact, after winning the title last season, for the first time after six years, CSKA signed defender Radoslav Mitrevski, midfielders Martin Kerchev and Altin Haxhi together with strikers Petar Stanev, Evgeni Yordanov and Rafael Jacques. Two of these - Haxhi and Rafael - are foreigners, hailing from Albania and Brazil respectively. Therefore, there are currently seven foreigners on their books, the others being Ibrahim Gueye, Macdonald Mukasi, Joao Carlos, Joao Paolo Brito and Marcos Charras.
After starting their pre-season in mid-June, CSKA have played two friendly matches so far beating Belite-orli Pleven 10-0 and Chernomorets Bourgas 5-0. Giglio was not included in these matches.
The former Valletta midfielder is now expected to have talks with CSKA officials to discuss his future. Giglio is attracting the interest of three local clubs and another two clubs in Bulgaria. Interested in obtaining his services are Sliema Wanderers, Birkirkara and Valletta. However a drawback will definitely be the transfer fee which CSKA would set for the player. Giglio had joined the Bulgarian club from Valletta for a sum of about Lm 70,000. One of the Bulgarian clubs could therefore emerge as favourite to take the player on loan.
Stefan Giglio joined CSKA in 2001 after he left a good impression during a long trial period towards the end of the previous season. However a long-term injury ruled him out for about six months in his first full season with CSKA. The signing of new foreigners then prompted CSKA to loan him to Lokomotiv. But once again, he was not that lucky with his new club as he suffered another injury which saw him play only 16 matches last season, five of which as a substitute.
- Three Pietà Hotspurs players pledged their future to the club by signing new contracts.
Defender Pierre Aquilina signed a new three-year contract while Malcolm Licari and Anatole Debono signed contracts for two years.
Licari was reporedly attracting the interest of Valletta and Birkirkara but finally opted to stay with the Hotspurs.
As regards foreigners, the only player to be confirmed is Italian defender Mauro Di Lello, who joined the club last season. Giacomo Paniccia and Vincent Obidimalor were released.
So far, the Hotspurs have lost Lee Lombardi and Jamie Pace, who joined Sliema Wanderers. Chris Okoh, on the other hand, returns with the club after being on loan with Birkirkara and Sliema over the past two seasons.
Sat 5
- David Camilleri will be playing for Marsaxlokk next season after the Southseasiders reached an agreement with Sliema Wanderers over a one-year loan.
David Camilleri started his career with Hamrun Spartans in 1991 leaving them to join Sliema in 1999.
Meanwhile, another Sliema Wanderers player, Pierre Grima will be playing with Marsaxlokk next season after the two clubs renewed the U-21 defender's loan. In fact, Grima was already on loan with Marsaxlokk last year.
The Southseasiders are also willing to take Trevor Templeman on loan but according to Sliema's official website, www.eswfc.com, the two parties are yet to agree on the terms of the transfer.
Fri 4
- Malta international striker Daniel Bogdanovic joined Sliema Wanderers. He signed a three-year contract with the Blues.
Bogdanovic had joined Cherno More in January, signing a two-and-a-half year contract. However serious financial difficulties for the Bulgarian club meant that they were unable to pay him the signing-on fee and the salaries for five months. Bogdanovic is believed to be taking the case to UEFA in order to be paid the salaries due.
The international striker joins Sliema for an undisclosed fee. Cherno More were earlier reported to have asked the Blues a transfer-fee amounting to around Lm 40,000.
This is a return for Bogdanovic with the Blues as he played for five months with Sliema during season 2000/01. However the then Sliema coach Vlado Pejovic hardly utilised the striker. He played seven matches, mostly as a substitute, scoring two goals. After leaving Sliema, Bogdanovic joined Vasas SC in Hungary and then Naxxar Lions. Last year, the Yugoslav-born striker started the season with Valletta.
So far, Sliema Wanderers signed Lee Lombardi, Dybrill Sylla and Jamie Pace.
- Nigerian striker Chris Oretan left Valletta. The two parties failed to reach an agreement over a new contract as the Citizens were unable to meet the conditions proposed by the player.
The Nigerian player is believed to have requested a salary amounting to Lm 700 plus bonuses, besides several other benefits.
Oretan's new destination could be Germany where there are a couple of clubs who have already expressed their interest.
Chris Oretan joined Naxxar Lions in 1997 although he made his first Premier League appearance in season 1998/99. Two years later, he joined Valletta where he has been playing for three years.
Oretan's departure means that the Citizens are left with only one foreigner on their books - Bulgarian midfielder Milen Penchev. Their other foreigner last season, Bulgarian Rumen Galabov, has already been released.
Thu 3
- The new committee of Malta Football Coaches Association for the period 2003-05 was formed recently.
Lawrence Aquilina was confirmed as president while Emmanuel Micallef is the vice-president of the association.
Joseph Calleja, Victor Cassar and Joe Micallef were elected as secretary, treasurer and PRO respectively. John Calleja is the assistant secretary while Kevin Aquilina is the assistant treasurer.
The other committee members are Anthony Rocco, Christopher Saliba and Anthony P. Scicluna.
Victor Cassar will represent the MFCA in the Council of the Malta Football Association while the Coaching Licensing Board delegates are Lawrence Aquilina, Emmanuel Micallef and Joseph Calleja.
- The nightmare for Birkirkara midfielder Antoine Zahra continues as he is ruled out for another six months.
The club's official website www.birkirkarafc.com reports that the player, who has just returned from Germany, had not recovered from his cruciate injury and was therefore forced to undergo another operation.
Zahra's last appearance for Birkirkara dates back to March 16, 2002 in a game against Valletta when he was forced to leave the pitch injured on 72 minutes following a harsh tackle by an opponent.
If his recovery takes place as expected, the Malta international midfielder will be back early in 2004.
- Hibernians midfielder Adrian Ciantar could be on his way out this summer after his contract with the Paolites expired.
Hibernians are believed to be ready to allow the player leave the club. Champions Sliema Wanderers, Birkirkara and Valletta are expected to make a bid for the 25-year old midfielder.
Ciantar's contract expired in June and the player had asked the MFA for the right-of-transfer in March.
Adrian Ciantar started his career with Qormi where he played for four years before joining St. Patrick in Division 1 in 1996. He joined Hibernians in 1997 where he was an automatic choice in the starting line-up since then.
Adrian Ciantar played five matches for the national team.
- Malta international striker Daniel Bogdanovic could play for Sliema Wanderers this season if he obtains the release from Bulgarian side Cherno More Varna.
Bogdanovic is currently in Bulgaria to discuss his future with Cherno More as the club seems to be unable to pay him the salaries due. Cherno More were faced by serious financial difficulties since club president Iliya Pavlov was killed in March.
Daniel Bogdanovic joined Cherno More in January, signing a two-and-a-half year contract.
This would be a return for Bogdanovic with the Blues as he played for five months with Sliema during season 2000/01. However the then Sliema coach Vlado Pejovic hardly utilised the striker. He played seven matches, mostly as a substitute, scoring two goals.
After leaving Sliema, Bogdanovic joined Vasas SC in Hungary and then Naxxar Lions. Last year, the Yugoslav-born striker started the season with Valletta.
Wed 2
- All Premier clubs have submitted an application for an operating licence for the forthcoming season.
Several clubs seemed not taking the matter of licenses seriously as only eight clubs handed the application before the original May 31 deadline. In fact Pietà Hotspurs were the only Premier League club to send its application for a licence before the deadline.
Last week, the MFA announced that it was giving clubs up to July 2nd to submit their applications. The last three clubs to apply were Valletta, Floriana and Hamrun.
- Registration of new players is possible as from July 1 with the opening of the tranfer market. Unlike previous years, clubs cannot offer contracts of less than one year to new players. Another transfer window will be open between January 1 and 31.
Champions Sliema Wanderers are expected to sign a number of players ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Skonto Riga. Pietà Hotspurs duo Lee Lombardi and Jamie Pace together with Guinean midfielder Dybrill Sylla. Sylla already played for Sliema three years ago after playing for Hamrun and Gozo. After leaving the Blues, he joined Msida before moving to Germany last year. Daniel Bogdanovic is another target, should he obtain the release from Cherno More Varna. Joseph Farrugia will be loaned to newly-promoted Msida while young Shawn Tellus and Michael Valenzia should join the other newly-promoted side Balzan. Gordian Ohaegbu has also joined Msida.
Birkirkara are in search mainly of three players - a goalkeeper, a midfielder and a striker. The goalkeeper should replace Sandro Micallef as Justin Haber's deputy. Possible options are Alex Camilleri of St. Patrick and Reuben Cini of St. Andrew's. Jaroslav Marx and Rufin Oba were released with the two foreigners to be confirmed for next season being Lucian Dronca and Sunday Eboh, who returns from a long-term injury. The third foreigner could be a striker from the Czech Republic. The Stripes hope to retain Luke Dimech should he fail to find a club in the UK.
After appointing Atanas Marinov as their new coach, Valletta will be looking forward to strengthening their squad. They are currently discussing a new contract with Chris Oretan, who is eyeing a move to a foreign club. Milen Penchev has been retained but Rumen Galabov will be released. One of the foreigners could be Nigerian midfielder Minabo Asechemie, formerly of Marsa, although the possibility of keeping just two foreigners on their books is not remote. Kurt Farrugia, who was on loan with Marsaxlokk, could join Valletta from Pietà, possibly in exchange for Sharlon Pace. Malcolm Licari, David Camilleri and Mauro Brincat are also linked with the Citizens.
Pietà Hotspurs are in search of new foreigners. The only foreigner to be offered a new contract is Italian defender Mauro Di Lello. Giacomo Paniccia and Vincent Obidimalor who joined the club in January have been released. The Hotspurs are reportedly interested in former Manchester United and Aberdeen midfielder Ben Thornley, who was due to join Sliema as a guest player for the Champions League games. Another possible target is Anthony Evi Parker. Jamie Pace and Lee Lombardi will be joining Sliema and Kevin Mamo could join Marsaxlokk. Malcolm Licari could become a target for one or more clubs. Chris Okoh returns with the club after being on loan with Birkirkara and Sliema.
Hamrun Spartans will be relying on club products but in the mean time, they will be trying their best to retain their more experience players. Mauro Brincat is a target for a number of clubs. Roderick Bajada and Graham Bencini is attracting the interest of Floriana while Charlo Magro is widely tipped to leave Hamrun to join Marsaxlokk.
Marsaxlokk are once again expected to make some big signings. Nikolai Slavtchev joins the Southseasiders from Marsa while Justin Tellus is expected to make his move a permanent one after being on loan with Birkirkara last season. Other important targets are Malta national team captain David Carabott and Daniel Bogdanovic, who is expected to return to Malta following a short spell in Bulgaria. They are willing to retain three other players who were on loan with the club - namely Richard Buhagiar, Pierre Grima and Trevor Templeman. Besides Charlo Magro, Marsaxlokk are expected to make a bid for Kevin Mamo. As regards foreigners, they are still in search of a third foreigner. Another possible arrival is that of Maltese-Australian midfielder Joe Spiteri.
Newly-promoted Balzan Youths, who appointed Jimmy Briffa as their new coach, are expected to take a number of player on loan from other clubs. Possible arrivals could be those of Josef Mifsud, Shawn Tellus and Michael Valenzia, all from Sliema Wanderers. Mifsud and Tellus already played for Balzan last season while Valenzia was on loan with Lija. As regards foreigners, besides Nebjosa Jankovic, one of the other foreigners should be Bulgarian goalkeeper Stojan Simeonov, formerly of Rabat Ajax.
First Division champions Msida St. Joseph will be signing Joseph Farrugia on a one-year loan from Sliema Wanderers. Gordian Ohaegbu also joins Msida from Sliema. They will have to search for three new foreigners as Daniel Nwoke is linked with a move to Belgium. One of the foreign players could be from Argentina.
Floriana signed Brazilian striker Eduardo Do Nascimento while another four players will undergo a trial as the Greens search for their third foreigner - Nigerian forward Chika Onyekaba, a midfielder from Turkey, a midfielder from Brazil and Congolese striker Rufin Oba. Riad Gango-Rtsa has been confirmed as one of the foreigners while Grigol Gvazava and Boyko Simeonov were released. Stephen Wellman could join First Division side Tarxien Rainbows. Among the players who were on loan with other clubs, Kurt Formosa could stay after being on loan with Marsa for the past three seasons.
Finally, Hibernians are expected to keep a low profile in the transfer market once again. So far they have decided not to retain Victor Bellia who was on loan from Naxxar.
Tue 1
- Patrick Curmi is the new Hamrun Spartans coach. Curmi, who replaces Atanas Marinov who joined Valletta, signed a one-year contract.
Curmi was already part of the Hamrun coaching staff a few years ago before he joined Lija Athletic in Division 1. Since then he also coached Pietà Hotspurs and Marsa.
Curmi will be assisted by Stefan Sultana, although the veteran striker is expected to keep playing for another season at least. Both Curmi and Sultana obtained a UEFA A Licence after attending the coaching course organised by the Malta Football Association towards the end of last season.
The Spartans recently appointed Antoine Attard as their new president. Attard was the club administrator for the past years. Victor
Attard and Victor Zammit will act as vice-presidents while Saviour Baldacchino and Simon Attard were appointed as the secretary and treasurer respectively.