May 2002

Thu 31

• Dennis Fenech has been appointed as coach of Valletta FC for next season. The decision was taken after a meeting between the club and Fenech on Thursday. Dennis Fenech, who played for Valletta for over a decade in the 70's and 80's, led Senglea Athletic in their successful promotion bid from the Second to the First Division. Valletta will be the fourth club for Fenech as he had earlier coached Naxxar Lions and Mellieha.
  The Citizens will be starting their pre-season training on Monday ahead of the first round of the Intertoto Cup. Valletta host KS Teuta Durres on June 22 and then travel to Albania a week later.
  Joining the squad for the pre-season training will be Daniel Bogdanovic, who however will not be available to play for the Citizens in the Intertoto Cup.
• The MFA Technical Centre will be organising its first Instructional meeting for A Licence, B Licence and UEFA B Licence coaches on Monday, 10th June, 2002, at 18.30hrs at the MFA Training Grounds, Ta' Qali. The practical session will be conducted by Mr Horst Heese, Technical Director.
  The Coaching Licensing Board would like to inform interested coaches, of the same category mentioned above who still have still not applied for renewal of their coaching licence, that if they have not attended the required number of four (4) Instructional meetings during season 2001-2002 as required according to the regulations regarding Coaching as issued by the MFA, the Technical Centre will organise another series of four Instructional meetings to enable coaches to attend and be issued with a Coaching Licence.
  The dates for these Instructional meetings are as follows: Monday, 10th June, Friday, 14th June, Monday, 17th June and Friday, 21st June, 2002. These Instructional meeting will commence at 18.30hrs.
  All coaches are expected to attend in their training kit because of the practical sessions.
• Birkirkara F.C. Youth Nursery Under 10 has won the third "Alfred Borg Memorial" which was held between Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th may 2002 at the Infetti Training Grounds. Birkirkara F.C. beat Paola Hibs Y.N. in the final 2-1. Lee Borg and Darell Martinelli scored For Birkirkara.
  Mrs D. Borg and her children presented the cups for the participating teams. Each Player that participated in this Tournament was presented with a commemorative medal and a Fitgar energy drink. Alfred Borg Memorial was sponsored by Fitgar Energy Drink.
  Eight teams took part in the tournament with Paola Hibs, Hamrun Spartans, Zebbug Rangers and Msida St. Joseph in Group A, Luxol St. Andrews, Pietą Hotspurs, Birkirkara and Melita in Group B.
  Semi-Finals: Hibs vs Luxol 3-1 pen, Birkirkara vs Hamrun 5-1
  Finals: 5th/6th Place Zebbug R. vs Melita w/o; 7th/8th Place Msida vs Pietą 1-0; 3rd/4th Place Hamrun vs Luxol 2-1; 1st/2nd place Birkirkara vs Paola Hibs 2-1

Wed 29

• Valletta FC will be facing KS Teuta Durres of Albania in the first round of the Intertoto Cup which kicks-off in the third week of July. The Citizens, who placed fourth in the Rothmans Premier League, will be facing a team which also placed fourth in the Albanian Division 1.
  The Citizens host Teuta at the Hibernians Ground on Saturday June 22, kick-off at 18:00, and then travel to Durres a week later where they will play at the Niko Dovana Stadium.
  This will be fifth participation for KS Teuta in European competitions. They registered one win, losing on the other nine occasions. But this win enabled them to reach the first round of the Cup Winners Cup in 1995/96.
  On their debut in 1994/95, they were eliminated from the Qualifying Round of the UEFA Cup by Apollon Limassol of Cyprus 1-4 and 2-4. A year later, they qualified for the first time beating TPS Turku of Finland thanks to a 3-0 win in Durrės after a 1-0 defeat in Turku. In the first round, they lost 0-2 at home and away to Parma of Italy.
  In season 1996/9, Teuta were eliminated by Kosice of Slovakia after 1-4 and 1-2 defeats. Two years ago, they were eliminated from the Preliminary Round of the UEFA Cup by SK Rapid Wien of Austria suffering 2-0 and 4-0 defeats. KS Teuta won the championship once and the Albanian Cup three times.
  The Citizens will be starting their pre-season training on Monday June 3 although they are yet to name a new coach. Edward Aquilina, who seemed favourite to take the job has not accepted yet.
  In the second round of the competition, the winner of the clash between Valletta and SK Teuta will face the winner of the match between clubs from Romania and Luxembourg.

Mon 27

• The first edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards was launched during a press conference at the Westin Dragonara, St. Julian's on Monday. Net Television journalist Sandro Micallef, who together with Robert Cutajar, is organizing this event said that this is a similar initiative to others being held all around Europe. Micallef said that this event has gained the approval of the Malta Football Association and that of the Parliamentary Secretariat for Sport.
  There are ten categories with six nominees in each, except for one which has four. The categories are Best Forward, Best Midfielder, Best Defender, Best Goalkeeper, Best Local Player, Best Foreigner, Most Promising Youngster, Best Coach and Best Match Official. On a much lighter note is a category reserved for the Biggest Gaffe (l-Aqwa Paprata). Click here for the Finalists.
  A panel of forty-five voted for these categories. These included ten coaches, ten club captains, ten presidents or other club officials plus fifteen journalists. There will also be another category for the Most Favourite Player of all time. The winner will be decided through televoting by televiewers watching the show which will be held on July 6 on Net TV.
  Addressing the press-conference as well were the General Manager of the Westin Dragonara Renzo Correzuola, MFA senior vice-president Carmel Bartolo and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Jesmond Mugliett. Mr Correzuola said the Westin felt it could support this initiative since this event should continue to promote football and encourage everyone to do better.
  Although the Malta Football Association had its own award, the Footballer of the Year, the MFA is not considering the Malta Football Awards as something meant to replace its award but rather as something which runs parallel said the MFA vice-president. Mr Bartolo stated that the association had given its approval as it felt these awards could help in the promotion of football.
  Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Jesmond Mugliett explained the importance of such awards as they reward the talent and hard work of all those involved. He said children needed role models in sports and such contests highlight these role models. Mugliett continued by saying that these awards give a high profile to football and attract more media coverage. The more coverage there is, the greater is the possibility of sponsorships which in turn help to raise the level of the sport.
  The event will be held on July 6 at the Westin Dragonara, St. Julian's. The winners will be presented with an award, manufactured by Mdina Glass on an original sketch. Awards will be presented by couples coming from the sports and entertainment scenes.

Sun 26

• Super Cup Hibernians vs Birkirkara 0-1
• Second & Third Division Knock-Out Dingli S. vs Zebbug R. 2-0
• Thanks to a 1-1 draw with Pietą Hotspurs in the final league match, Floriana claimed the title in the Cassar Cup Under 16 League Section A organised by the Malta Youth Football Association. Floriana placed first with 52 points, two points ahead of Paola Hibs, Sliema Wanderers and Pietą all on 50 points.
  This was the second success for the Floriana nursery as a week earlier, the Greens claimed the championship of the Maltacom Under 14 League placing on top of the table ahead of Valletta and Paola Hibs. Other successes for Floriana were the title in the Youth League section A and the Reserves League Section A.

Sat 25

• Second Division Decider Attard vs Sta. Venera L. 1-0
• Daniel Bogdanovic is set to become the first major signing of the close-season as the naturalised Maltese striker has already agreed to join Valletta.
  Interested in Bogdanovic, who played for Naxxar Lions last season, were also Birkirkara and First Division champions Marsaxlokk.
  After playing for Sliema Wanderers last season, Bogdanovic had joined Vasas SC in Hungary on a free-transfer together with Orosco Anonam. After playing, and scoring regularly, in friendly matches, he only made a couple of short appearances in league matches before having to return back to Malta when the bankrupt club was no longer able to honour his contract and pay his salary. The Yugoslav striker joined Naxxar Lions where he had an impressive season, scoring eleven goals, although the team was relegated to Division 1.
  As part of the contract, Bogdanovic is bound to form part of the coaching staff of the Valletta FC Youth Nursery.
• In a statement, Hibernians said the medicine for which Miguel Mifsud had tested positive during a doping test was a substance found in an inhaler which the player has been using for several years due to his medical condition. The medicine is always declared in the doping charter the club fills before every game. Still the substance which caused the positive result is not prohibited by the International Olympic Committee or by the MFA.

Fri 24

• Season 2002/03 will kick-off as early as July 8, and therefore before the all teams start playing in the UEFA competitions, with the first match from the Lowenbrau Cup. Usually the Lowenbrau Cup was played during the last week of July or the first week of August.
  This emerged from the draft programme proposed by the Executive Committee of the Malta Football Association and approved by the Council.
  The Premier League kicks-off on August 24 with the first matches from the first phase. The first phase comes to an end on February 3 and if there is any need for a decider, this will be played on February 5. The second phase starts on February 15 and the final match will be played on May 11.
  Although the format of the FA Trophy will be retained, there will be a number of changes regarding the dates when this will be played. the first round will be played at the Centenary Stadium in November (2, 9, 16 and 23). The second round will be played on February 8 and 9 while the quarter-finals which were usually played in May have been anticipated to March 21 and 22. This leaves only the semi-finals and final to be played after the end of the Premier League.
  The semi-finals will be held on May 17 and 18, the final on May 22. As from next year, there will be no replay for the FA Trophy final. The Super Cup final will be held on May 25.
  The Super 5 Cup will be played earlier than usual with the semi-finals scheduled on October 31 and November 1 and the finals on November 6 and 7. The four matches will be held at the Centenary Stadium.
  Besides the competitive matches, the national team will also play two friendly matches. Friendly matches are scheduled for August 21 and February 12. The competitive matches will be played on September 7, October 12 and 16, November 20, March 29, April 30 and June 7.
  The Under 21 side wil be playing competitive matches on September 6, October 11 and 15, November 19, March 28, April 29 and June 6.
• Sliema Wanderers midfielder Massimo Grima was suspended for one match by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after being sent off in the Rothmans Trophy final on Thursday.

Thu 23

• Rothmans Trophy Final Sliema W. vs Birkirkara 0-1
• Edward Aquilina is set to return with Valletta as their new coach for next season after that the club decided not to renew the contract of coach Georgi Deanov.
  This will be the second spell for Aquilina with Valletta. He coached the Citizens between 1994 and 1998 when he decided to quit coaching in order to take on an administrative job at the club. Under his guidance, the Citizens won all the honours at stake including the en-plein in 1996/97 when Valletta won the Premier League championship, the Rothmans Trophy, the Super Cup, the Super 5 Competition and the Lowenbrau Cup.
  Aquilina was then replaced by Krassimir Manolov. After three years, Georgi Deanov stepped in as coach for this season but the team disappointed and failed to win a single competition.
  Meanwhile, the team will be starting pre-season training in the first week of June ahead of the Intertoto Cup commitments. The Citizens host the club representing Albania in the weekend July 22/23 and travel to Albania a week later.
• Hibernians midfielder Ndubisi Chukunyere was handed a five-match ban after being found guilty of an attempted assault of assistant referee Charles Micallef in last Friday's Rothmans Trophy semi-final between Hibernians and Birkirkara which ended in a 1-0 win for the Stripes. Chukunyere was sent off by referee Joe Attard on 71 minutes after Micallef signalled an incident between Chukunyere and Birkirkara midfielder Keith Fenech. The Hibernians midfielder will therefore miss the Super 5 Cup final plus the first four matches of next season - two from the Lowenbrau Cup and another two from the Premier League.

Wed 22

• Another two players tested positive in doping tests carried out after two league matches. The Medical Board of the Malta Football Association is, in fact investigating the two cases involving a player from the Premier League and another from Division 2.
  The first player tested positive in a random doping test which was carried out after the April 14 Premier League match between Sliema Wanderers and champions Hibernians which ended in a 3-1 win for the Paolites.
  The other player in question tested positive after the Second Division match between Senglea Athletic and Msida St. Joseph, played on April 27. Msida won 2-1.
• The final round of the Pepsi Football Festivals for the Under-12 came to an end last Saturday at the MFA Training Ground, Ta' Qali. This year, thirty-nine Youth Nurseries from the Under 12 participated.
  The Pepsi Football Festivals, organised by the Youth Football Association, started last December and were played every Saturday morning in different venues throughout the season. The final three events were held at the Ta' Qali Training Ground giving the opportunity for children to play on grass pitches.
  On alternate Sundays, Pepsi Football Festivals were also being held for the Under-10s and the final sessions for this younger age group are being held next Saturday and Sunday morning from 9.00am to 12.00 noon at Tedesco Ground, Hamrun.
  Throughout the Pepsi Football Festivals, the children enjoyed a healthy competitive atmosphere focusing more on playing well rather than on winning. As in previous years, there has been a great response from nurseries as highlighted by the large turnout for this season's festivals. All participating young footballers were treated with a cold Pepsi drink and a Pepsi gift. Pepsi is also supporting these events by donating sports equipment to all participating nurseries and hosts.
  Farsons Product Executive, Ms Joanne Scerri Valentino, said: "Pepsi is delighted to support these football festivals which are held to promote the concept of sports participation rather than any sort of competition. These tournaments also promote an active lifestyle based on sports from a tender age. They also provide aspiring football players with the opportunity to improve their skills at their favourite sport."
• Hopleaf has donated to Hamrun Spartans Football Club the equivalent in money of the bottle crowns collected during the first month of the Hopleaf Challenge. The bar that collected the most crowns during March was the San Gejtanu Band Club, which was presented with a certificate by Hamrun F.C. President, Mr Victor Tedesco.
  Hopleaf, the main sponsor of the Hamrun Football Club gave all the bars in the Hamrun area the opportunity to participate in this challenge through which Hamrun Spartans Football Club will benefit from the equivalent in funds for the Hopleaf crowns they collect. The Hopleaf challenge will run till Sunday 2nd June 2002.
  "Both Hopleaf and Hamrun Spartans Football Club are delighted with the overwhelming response that this challenge has generated. It seems that many Hamrunizi have their football club at heart and seek to broaden the club's financial horizons towards their march for glory next season,"said Hopleaf Brand Executive at Farsons, Ms Alison Bezzina.

Tue 21

• The Malta Football Association will be organizing a course for Trainee Referees in June 2002. Interested persons are to send an application to the Head Referees' Department, Malta Football Association, 280 St. Paul's Street, Valletta VLT 07 by not later than Friday 31 May 2002.

Sun 19

• Second Division Dingli S. vs Gzira U. 2-1, Mellieha vs Msida SJ 0-3
• Third Division Sirens vs Birzebbuga SP 0-2, St. George's vs Vittoriosa S. 1-2
• Gozo - Super Cup Final Ghajnsielem vs Zebbug R. 2-0
• Malta international midfielder Stefan Giglio was once again included in CSKA Sofia's starting line-up as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Neftohimik Bourgas. A result which leaves CSKA in third place. Giglio was substituted on 73 minutes.
  In the mean time, the contract of Italian coach Luigi Simoni is not expected to be extended after CSKA failed to beat eternal rivals Levski Sofia in the Bulgarian Cup final. The cup represented the last chance to win something as they lie 18 points behind champions Levski in the league table. Simoni arrived at CSKA in December but has failed to return the club to the former glories of the Eighties, despite signing Colombia striker Hamilton Ricard from Middlesbrough. Stoicho Mladenov, whose contract with the national team was not renewed after Bulgaria failed to qualify for the World Cup, is set to replace Simoni. Mladenov, a CSKA legend, is best remembered for the two goals he scored in the 2-1 aggregate victory over European champions Liverpool in March 1982. He returned to CSKA last week as general manager.

Sat 18

• Second Division Zebbug R. vs Attard 0-1, Zurrieq vs Luqa SA 1-0

Fri 17

• Rothmans Trophy Hibernians vs Birkirkara 0-1
• Second Division Sta. Venera L. vs Melita 5-1, Tarxien R. vs Senglea A. 1-1

Thu 16

• Rothmans Trophy Valletta vs Sliema W. 2-5
• Gozo - Super Cup Xewkija T. vs Zebbug R. 2-6
• Malta international midfielder Stefan Giglio played the whole 90 minutes in CSKA Sofia's 1-3 defeat to arch-rivals Levski Sofia in the final of the Bulgarian Cup final on Wednesday. The Reds managed to take the lead thanks to an own goal but Levski turned the score in their favour to claim the Cup once again. The latter are just one point away from claiming the Bulgarian title.
• FIFA Assistant Referee, Philip Agius left Malta on Tuesday for the UEFA European Under 21 Championship Final Tournament which is being held in Switzerland between May 16 and 28. Mr Agius is one of seven other European Assistant Referees and one from Africa appointed for this Tournament in which eight countries are taking part after qualifying from the eight groups.

Wed 15

• Gozo - Super Cup Ghajnsielem vs Nadur Y. 3-1
• After beating Azerbaijan in a friendly match last month, Malta climbed another five places in the FIFA World Rankings as published on Wednesday. Malta is now ranked number 117 together with Madagascar and ahead of the Faroe Islands. After ending 2001 in the 131st place, Malta climbed fourteen places in five months thanks to two wins over Jordan and Moldova and a draw with Lithuania in the Rothmans Tournament, a draw with Andorra and a win over Azerbaijan in two friendly matches. Ahead of Malta in the standings are Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Libya. Just behind Malta are the Faroe Islands, Uganda, Sudan, Malawi and India.
  Among the other European countries, Malta is still 47th following the inclusion of a new member state in UEFA, Kazakhstan. Ahead of Malta are Lithuania (98), Latvia (99), Armenia (101), Kazakhstan (102), Moldova (103) and Azerbaijan (114) while behind Malta are the Faroe Islands (119), Andorra (141), Luxembourg (145), Liechtenstein (149) and San Marino (159).
  Malta's first competitive match is in September against Slovenia in Ljubliana but before, Malta could play a friendly match in mid-August.
• Three players from the Premier League were suspended by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner. Justin Tellus of Marsa and Edward Azzopardi of Valletta were handed a two-match ban while Nikolai Slavtchev was suspended for one match.
  Other players to be suspended were Jesmond Zammit (Dingli), Oliver Cutajar (Luqa), Adriano Fenech (Melita), Errol Cachia (Zebbug) and Franklin Borg (Zurrieq) from Division 2; Kevin Chircop and Sandro Lapira (both Ghaxaq) from Division 3.

Tue 14

• Rothmans Trophy holders Valletta and Birkirkara will be eyeing a place in the UEFA Cup as they face Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians respectively in the semi-finals. Although the two teams are sure of playing in one of the UEFA competitions, winning the Trophy would have an important meaning for them as they would take part in the UEFA Cup and therefore avoid the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
  Taking part in the Intertoto Cup would mean hardly having any rest as the first round will kick-off during the weekend of the 21st and 22nd June. In the first round, the local team faces the club representing Albania.
  For Valletta, beating Sliema could even be enough for them to take part in the UEFA Cup on the event of Hibernians reaching the final as well since the Paolites will be playing in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. If the Citizens beat Sliema and meet Birkirkara in the final, they will be bound to beat the Stripes in the final in order to make it to the UEFA Cup.
  Birkirkara have three options in order to avoid playing in the Intertoto Cup. If they beat Hibs and then meet Sliema in the final, any result will do. On the other hand, meeting Valletta in the final means that they will be bound to win. Even if Birkirkara fail to reach the final, they could still make it to the UEFA Cup. In case of a final between Sliema and Hibernians, Sliema would qualify to the UEFA Cup as Trophy winners or finalists while Birkirkara would make it to the UEFA Cup through the third place in the final Premier League table. Valletta would therefore take part in the Intertoto Cup.
• Malta international midfielder Stefan Giglio is set to be named in the starting line-up for CSKA Sofia when the Reds take on Levski Sofia in the final of the Bulgarian Cup final on Wednesday.
  Gilgio who is still not fully fit played the first 45 minutes in last Saturday's home 0-2 defeat to Slavia Sofia. This defeat left CSKA 15 points behind the leaders Levski and nine behind Litex Lovech.
  CSKA supporters are looking forward to winning the Bulgarian Cup once again after three years following another disappointment in the championship.
  CSKA Sofia reached the final after beating Litex Lovech 7-4 on aggregate. CSKA won the first leg 2-1 away from home. Then in the return leg, CSKA won 5-3 with Stefan Giglio scoring two late goals after being included as a substitute.

Sun 12

• Rothmans Trophy Birkirkara vs Naxxar L. 4-0, Marsa vs Valletta 1-3 after extra-time
• Second Division Msida SJ vs Zurrieq 1-1, Gzira U. vs Mellieha 2-3
• Third Division Birzebbuga SP vs Vittoriosa S. 0-3, Sirens vs St. George's 1-3
• Gozo - First Division Victoria H. vs Oratory Y. 2-1, Ghajnsielem vs Zebbug R. 4-1
• Rothmans Trophy holders Valletta were drawn with Sliema Wanderers while Premier League champions Hibernians were paired with Birkirkara in the semi-finals of the Rothmans Trophy. The first semi-final between Valletta and Sliema will be played on Thursday 16 while Hibs-Birkirkara will be played on Friday 17, both matches at 19:30.

Sat 11

• Rothmans Trophy Sliema W. vs Pieta H. 2-1, Hibernians vs Hamrun S. 3-1
• Second Division Luqa SA vs Tarxien R. 0-3, Attard vs Dingli S. 1-4
• Gozo - First Division Sannat L. vs Xewkija T. 1-5
• The Malta Football Association will consider applications from constituted clubs to participate in the Third Division League next season 2002/03. Applications, which must include a copy of the Club Statute and a list of committee members with their respective ID numbers must reach the MFA General Secretary at 280, St. Paul's Street, Valletta, by not later than Monday 20th May, 2002.

Fri 10

• Second Division Sta. Venera L. vs Zebbug R. 1-4, Melita vs Senglea A. 0-1
• Malta Under 21 national coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia will be quitting the Malta Under 21 team when his contract expires on the end of June. This would definitely open wide the race among a number of Premier League clubs who will be trying to lure Farrugia after four successful years with the Under 21 side.
  Good results obtained by his young players had put him as a firm favourite to be appointed as national team coach last year but the Malta Football Association had preferred another foreign coach, opting for former German international Siegfried Held. It was no secret that Ray Farrugia, who spent his career as a player with Floriana, Melita Eagles in Australia and Naxxar Lions, wished to take the job as Malta coach.
  Farrugia has already joined the Buzu School of Football. So it remains to be seen whether this would leave him available to join another Premier club.
  Earlier this season, Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara were mentioned as being interested in his services. Now that the season is approaching its end, two clubs could be interested in engaging him as coach for next season. Sliema Wanderers and Valletta are both expected to change their coach after rather disappointing results under the helm of Jeff Wood and Georgi Deanov respectively.
  On the other hand, the Malta Football Association will have to look for a new coach for the Under 21 side which starts its commitments in the UEFA Under 21 European Championship qualifiers against Slovenia. The coach is expected to be a foreigner with one of the possibilities being former Floriana coach Karim Bencheriffa who has already informed the association of his availability.
• The Birkirkara FC Youth Nursery will be organising the third edition of the Under-10 Football Tournament "Memorial Alfred Borg" - Fitgar Cup between the 25th and 26th May. Taking part are eight nurseries. In Group A, there are Paola Hibs, Hamrun Spartans, Zebbug Rangers and Msida St. Joseph while Luxol St. Andrews, Pietą Hotspurs, hosts Birkirkara and Melita will be playing in Group B. The group matches will be played on Saturday while on Sunday, there will be the semi-finals and finals.

Thu 9

• Sliema Wanderers have appealed from the Malta Football Association's decision to suspend Sliema Wanderers and Malta defender Carlo Mamo after he tested positive for testosterone/epitestosterone caused from androstenedione in a doping test carried out last January after the match against Birkirkara. The club is basing this appeal on the player's integrity and his bona fede when his doctor prescribed medicine containing the banned substance. The club also stated that the Lm100 fine imposed on the club was ot fair as they were not informed that the player had been administered medicine by his personal doctor.
• The draws for the Youth Knock-Outs organised by the Malta Football Association were held on Wednesday at the MFA Headquarters, Valletta.
  In the Youth Knock-Out A, the quarter-finals are Sliema W. vs Floriana, Lija A./Naxxar L. vs Birkirkara, Hibernians vs Hamrun S. and St. Andrews vs Pietą H. The team which faced Birkirkara in the quarter-finals is yet to be decided although the two teams already facing each other with Naxxar winning after the penalty shoot-out. However Lija filed a protest agains the result of the game. In the semi-finals, the winner of Sliema/Floriana faces the winner of Lija/Naxxar/Birkirkara while that between Hibernians and Hamrun faces the team which qualifies from the semi-final between St. Andrews and Pietą.
  In the Youth Knock-Out B, the quarter-finals are Attard vs Sta. Venera L., Birzebbuga SP vs Mellieha, San Gwann vs Gzira U., Melita vs St. George's. In the semi-finals, the winner of Attard/Sta. Venera faces the winner of Birzebbuga/Mellieha while that between San Gwann and Gzira faces the team which qualifies from the semi-final between Melita and St. George's.

Wed 8

• Third Division - Relegation Decider Ghaxaq vs Mgarr U. 0-1
• After being voted Rothmans Footballer of the Month for March, Hibernians striker Adrian Mifsud was once again voted Player of the Month for April.
  Mifsud scored seven goals in the four matches played during April leading the Paolites to three wins over Sliema Wanderers (3-1), Hamrun Spartans (4-0) and Floriana (2-0) after losing 2-4 to Valletta. After winning the Premier League championship with Hibernians, Adrian's ambition is to win the double by winning the Rothmans Trophy. Mifsud is also a firm favourite to win the MFA Footballer of the Year award for this season.
  The 27-year-old striker started his career with Sta. Venera Lightenings and then joined Rabat Ajax with whom he made hi debut in the Premier League during season 1995-96.
  This is the fourth time Mifsud won the Rothmans Player of the Month award. He had already won it in March 1996 when playing for Rabat and in September 2000 and March 2002 with Hibernians. Mifsud considers one of the highest points in his career the debut for Malta in the 0-1 home defeat to Poland in a friendly 'A' international match in February 1999.
• Only one player from the Premier Division was suspended after collecting a fourth yellow card this weekend. Lija Athletic defender Pierre Grima was suspended for one match. But since Lija have already been eliminated from the Rothmans Trophy, this one match suspension will be carried over to next season.

Tue 7

• The Malta Football Association published the schedule for the Rothmans Trophy quarter-finals to be held this weekend. Although they were not seeded for the quarter-finals of the Rothmans Trophy, luck favoured the top four teams in the draws. Valletta, Birkirkara, Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians who received a bye in the previous rounds after placing in the top four last season managed to avoid each other in the draw. On Saturday, Sliema Wanderers meet Pietą Hotspurs at 15:00 while champions Hibernians face Hamrun Spartans at 17:00. On Sunday, the first game is between Birkirkara and Naxxar Lions and then Marsa face holders Valletta.

Sun 5

• Premier League Hibernians vs Birkirkara 2-2
• Second Division Mellieha vs Attard 1-2, Zurrieq vs Gzira U. 1-2
• Third Division - Promotion Play-Offs St. George's vs Birzebbuga SP 2-0, Vittoriosa S. vs Sirens 3-2
• Gozo - First Division Zebbug R. vs Victoria H. 4-1, Nadur Y. vs Ghajnsielem 4-0
• Malta international midfielder Stefan Giglio was once again one of the scorers for CSKA Sofia, this time in a league match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv. CSKA won 4-0 with Giglio scoring the third goal on 53 minutes. Giglio was then substituted as he is suffering from a groin injury.
  Vladimir Manchev scored twice on 11 and 65 minutes with Deyanov adding another goal on 71 minutes. This win leaves CSKA in third place in the Championship Group of the Premier League. They are 14 points behind leaders and eternal rivals Levski Sofia and eight behind second-placed Litex.

Sat 4

• Premier League Naxxar L. vs Pietą H. 2-1, Valletta vs Sliema W. 2-0
• Second Division Dingli S. vs Sta. Venera L. 2-1, Tarxien R. vs Msida SJ 1-1
• Gozo - First Division Oratory Y. vs Sannat L. 4-3

Fri 3

• Premier Division Lija A. vs Marsa 4-1, Floriana vs Hamrun S. 1-1
• Although they were not seeded for the quarter-finals of the Rothmans Trophy, luck favoured the top four teams in the draws. Valletta, Birkirkara, Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians who received a bye in the previous rounds after placing in the top four last season managed to avoid each other in the draw.
  Holders Valletta were handed a rather delicate tie as they were drawn to meet Marsa - a team which managed to win four points out of six in two league matches. Newly-crowned champions Hibernians will be meeting Hamrun Spartans. Sliema Wanderers will be facing Pietą Hotspurs while Birkirkara play against Naxxar Lions who were relegated to the First Division.
  The quarter-finals will be played on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12, the semi-finals on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 with the final being played on Thursday 23.
  The draws were held during press conference organised by the MFA in collaboration with Central Cigarette Co. Ltd. This was also the last press-conference before Rothmans end their sponsorship of the association. In fact, due to new policies that will be adopted in Malta as from next year, tobacco companies will no longer be allowed to sponsor sports events.
  Speaking first was MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud. Dr Mifsud said that the Rothmans Trophy had a long history since the trophy has been used since 1935. Throughout the years there were several changes in the format of the competition which included the top two divisions and sometimes just the top division. The most recent change was the seeding of the top four teams. There could be other changes in the future. In fact, discussions are taking place regarding whether to leave just the semi-finals and final to be played after the end of the Premier League.
  The Rothmans Trophy winner will be qualifying for the UEFA Cup. But if Hibernians win the Rothmans Trophy, then the finalists will make it to the UEFA Cup.
  Dr Mifsud thanked Central Cigarette Co Ltd, its present and past management for its continuous support to football in Malta. Thanks to their sponsorship, the MFA could improve its facilities such as the scoreboard and the seating of the Rothmans Stand at the National Stadium.
  Mr Ronald Abela, general manager of Central Cigarette Co Ltd, said that the company had a long relationship with sports and especially football. He thanked the president and the council of the Malta FA, together with the press for their help in making their sponsorship a success.
  Members of the press and Mr Joe Caruana Curran, on behalf of the Premier League Clubs Standing Committee, also thanked Rothmans for their support.

Thu 2

• Sliema Wanderers and Malta international defender Carlo Mamo was suspended for six months after testing positive in a doping test after the Premier League match between Sliema and Birkirkara on January 12 which ended in a 1-1 draw.
  The medical board of the Malta Football Association recommended a six-month ban after that the B test carried out at the Institut fur Dopinganalytik of Dresden, Germany a couple of weeks ago had again produced a positive result.
  During the week leading to that game, Mamo was sick and his doctor prescribed him pills which contain a banned substance - testosterone/epitestosterone caused from androstenedione. According to a report which Sliema Wanderers presented to the association, the substance contained in the medicine does not boost a footballer's performance.
  Mamo has been suspended for six (6) months from domestic competitions with effect from the 1st May, 2002 having violated Art.1 - Part 4 "The MFA Doing Regulations - Use of Prohibited Substances and Prohinited Techniques' and other regulations fround in 'The Doping Charter of the Malta Football Association".
  Sliema W. FC were also found guilty according to Art.6 'Penalties", para 1.2 of "The Doping Charter of the Malta Football Association" and fined Lm100.
• Malta international midfielder Stefan Giglio was in top form for CSKA Sofia in the second leg of the Bulgarian Cup semi-final against Cup holders Litex. Although he was only included a substitute on 65 minutes, Giglio scored twice on 86 and 88 minutes to give CSKA a 5-3 win. The Reds won the tie 7-4 on aggregate.
  Former Middlesbrough striker Hamilton Ricard put CSKA ahead on the half hour but Kiril Nikolov equalised just before the break. After the restart, CSKA scored two goals in as many minutes thanks to a penalty by Vladimir Manchev and Hristo Yanev. Litex got back into the game with goals by Stefan Yrukov and Hristo Yovov. In the last five minutes Giglio, who has just returned to the squad after an almost 6 month injury break with a knee injury, grabbed his brace of goals to send his side to the final for a first time since 1999.
  Speaking after the game, CSKA coach Luigi Simoni had words of praise for the Maltese international. "I can be only be glad for Giglio. Till now I have only heard that he is an excellent player. Now, when he is back into action and is again at his best I am only sorry that he has missed so many games. If he had been in the squad when I arrived here, we could still have challenged for the title."
  CSKA will be facing champions and current league leaders Levski Sofia at the Slavia Stadium on May 15.
• Michael Degorgio, Malta's first professional footballer has decided to call it a day as a football player. His last official game will be against Floriana on Friday at the National Stadium. An official presentation by club Officials and club sponsors will be taking place during the game.
  Degiorgio, who is 39 years old started his career at the Centru Sportiv Edukattiv which Fr Hilary Tagliaferro had set up at Marsa. His first club was Hamrun's amateur club, Hamrun Liberty. Michael Degiorgio's debut was couple of weeks before his seventeenth birthday in a game against Zebbug Rangers on October 13th, 1979.
  With Hamrun, Degiorgio won all the possible honours during the period 1980-1990. He was also voted Footballer of the Year in 1990. He then played for other clubs namely Naxxar Lions, Lija Athletic and Marsaxlokk. Michael Degiorgio made his debut for the national team in a World Cup qualifier against East Germany in April 1981. He was then the first player to turn professional in January 1985. With the national team, Michael Degiorgio played 78 matches.

Wed 1

• Second Division Zebbug R. vs Melita 1-0, Senglea A. vs Luqa SA 2-0
• Gozo - First Division Victoria H. vs Ghajnsielem 2-1, Xewkija T. vs Nadur Y. 3-3
• Gozo - Second Division Kercem A. vs Gharb R. 5-0
• Women's Knock-Out Final Birkirkara vs Hibernians 1-0
• For the second consecutive year, Hamrun Supporters Ltd. will be organising a 7-a-side Summer League at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun. This is a unique Summer League as it is the only one to be played on natural turf. The organisers believe that this will be one of the main events in summer as they are aware of the amount of interest such tournaments generate.
  The Summer League kicks off on Monday June 10 with the games to be played at 17:30 and 18:45 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The winners of the Summer League, besides a a Trophy to keep for one year, will be awarded a trophy, a medal for each member of the team and other attractive gifts.
  Whoever is interested in taking part should get an application form from Hamrun Spartans FC, Hamrun Spartans Youth Nursery or by phoning 7943 5218 or 9949 7563. One can also apply by emailing the organisers on hamrunsupltd@yahoo.com.
  The closing date is May 15 and applications submitted will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Only 32 teams will be accepted.
• Photographer Stephen Gatt has just launched a sports-photographic website www.stephengatt.com. Gatt covers several sports activities - being national, regional, professional or amateur sport, and especially football. He has been providing maltafootball.com with photos from Premier League matches and matches from the other divisions for the past weeks. The most interesting aspect is that one can order photos appearing on the site in A4 or A3 size, either through the website through this website or by phoning Stephen Gatt on 9947 5943. The site is available at www.stephengatt.com