June 2002
Sun 30
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organising a 'Goalkeepers Course' for interested coaches and other persons who wish to take up coaching.
This course will take place on Saturday, 20th July and Sunday, 21st July, 2002. Sessions will be held in the mornings.
All interested persons can collect the application form from the MFA Technical Centre (att. Mr N. Frendo - Administration Manager). Applications will close on Monday, 15th July. Late applications will not be considered.
Sat 29
- Intertoto Cup - First Round Second Leg KS Teuta Durres vs Valletta 0-0
- The Malta Football Association together with the three clubs which represented Malta in the Champions League and UEFA Cup last season received a major cash boost from UEFA following the distribution of revenue generated by the Champions League. The MFA together with Valletta, Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers received a total of CHF770,000 (Lm 208,000).
The 51 UEFA associations, including Malta, each received a direct payment of CHF300,000 (Lm 81,000). Valletta who were knocked-out of the first qualifying round of the Champions League by FC Haka of Finland, received CHF230,000 (Lm62,000) - CHF80,000 for taking part in the qualifying round and an additional CHF150,000 reserved for champion clubs who did not qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stages. Birkirkara, who managed to reach the first round of the UEFA Cup after eliminating Lokomotiv Tbilisi of Georgia in the qualifying round, recieve CHF160,000 (Lm 43,000). On the other hand, Sliema Wanderers who were eliminated in the qualifying round of the competition after losing to Matador Puchov of Slovakia receive CHF 80,000 (Lm 21,500).
- Malta international defender Luke Dimech will be undergoing a one-month trial with English Division Two club Notts County.
Dimech moved permanently to England earlier this week, hoping he will soon secure a contract with an English club. This should not be that difficult for him considering that he holds dual-citizenship having lived in England before moving to Malta in 1995.
Luke Dimech, who started his career with Lincoln City as a teenager, had an impressive trial with Bury last summer. However the transfer did not materialise.
- UEFA announced details of its policy on the issue of matches to be played in Israel following a meeting between Gerhard Aigner, UEFA CEO, and Gavriel Levi, President of the Israeli FA, at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Mr Aigner said: "Having examined all of the available evidence on the current security situation and the continued threat of suicide attacks, UEFA must continue to advise that European games are
not played in Israel for the time being.
"However, we have agreed that we will closely monitor the situation and review our position on a monthly basis. In addition, UEFA has agreed not to exclude the possibility of a match
being played in Israel if the visiting team wishes to do so and accepts this as their own responsibility."
Malta is due to host Israel on October 12 in a match from the Qualifying Round of the EURO 2004 European Championship. Malta is then due to travel to Israel on September 10, 2003.
Recently security issues related to the game at Ta' Qali were the topic of a parliamentary question (PQ No. 34093) by Labour MP Carmelo Abela. Abela asked Minister for Interior, Dr Tonio Borg, whether there were any discussions between the MFA and police regarding the provision of security for players and Israeli officials. He also asked whether police grants permission to foreign security officers to carry arms.
Dr Borg replied that as it was the case, whenever necessary, Police make sure they discuss with those involved. However he failed to disclose any details saying that such matters should not be made public.
Fri 28
- Darren Debono and Jeffrey Chetcuti are set to make a return for Valletta in the second leg of the UEFA Intertoto Cup first round match against KS Teuta Durres. After losing 1-2 at the Hibs Ground last Saturday, the Citizens will be facing an uphill task considering that they need a win with a two-goal difference to make it to the next round and meet Gloria Bistrita of Romania or US Luxembourg in the second round of the competition. Besides Kamil Dvorak who was sent off in the dying minutes of the first leg, Valletta coach Dennis Fenech also lost Nicky Saliba who is ruled out through injury.
The Valletta squad left Malta on Friday morning, destination Catania, from where they will fly to Rome and then Tirana. The game will be played at the Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tirana since Teuta's home ground - the Niko Dovana Stadium is currently being refurbished.
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organising the first Instructional meeting for Season 2002/03 for 'C' Licence and Foundation Licence Coaches on Monday, 8th July, 2002, at the MFA Training Grounds, Ta' Qali. The session will be a practical one and all coaches are expected to wear the right attire in order to be able to take active part if needed. All coaches are reminded that their presence for these instructional meetings is essential regarding the issue of Coaching Licences by the MFA.
Thu 27
- Birkirkara and Malta international midfielder Joe Brincat signed a three year contract with Sliema Wanderers on Wednesday.
After that a meeting with club officials on Tuesday, Brincat did not accept Birkirkara's offer to renew his contract. It is beleived that the Stripes had offered Brincat a monthly salary of Lm 450 which is the maximum salary allowed by the association for a full-time player (although national team players and foreigners are allowed an "extra-allowance" of Lm 200.)
The club's official website ww.birkirkarafc.com said that after the two parties failed to reach an agreement, Birkirkara had no other alternative than to place Joe Brincat on the transfer list.
- Preparations are well underway for the first edition of the Westin Malta Football Awards which will be held on July 6 at the Westin Dragonara. After the summation of votes (by 10 club presidents, 10 team captains and 15 journalists), attention is now focussed on the final night during which the winners will be announced and those who distinguished themselves during the season will be awarded.
The sporting public will have the opportunity to take part by voting the Most popular player of all times among four legendary players: Tony Nicholl, Salvino Schembri, Raymond Vella and Carmel Busuttil. This award will be entirely based on the public's votes. Anyone who would like to vote for any of these players can do this right now by phoning on one of the four telephone numbers. Lines will be open until 15 minutes from the end of the final night.
The televoting numbers are: Tony Nicholl : 500 43241; Salvino Schembri : 500 43242; Raymond Vella : 500 43243; Carmel Busuttil : 500 43244.
Those who take part will have the opportunity to win several prizes including shirts from all Premier League clubs 2001/02 together with a number of weekend breaks at a number of hotels.
The hosts on the final night will be Stephanie Farrugia and John Busuttil while among those who will be presenting the awards are Xandru Grech, Carlo Borg Bonaci, Rachel Said, Julia Farrugia, Louise Tedesco, Marie Brigulio, Peter Busuttil, Gordon Penza, John Bundy, DJ Pierre Cordina and others.
The ten categories are: Best Forward, Best Midfielder, Best Defender, Best Goalkeeper, Best Match Official, Best Coach, Most Promising Youngster, Best Maltese Player, Best Foreigner and the Gaffe of the Season. The last category had raised some controversy due to the disapproval of a number of referees. Click here for a list of the finalists in the different categories
The organisers would like to thank all the sponsors and especially Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, Jesmond Mugliett for his help. They would also like to thank the media for the promotion of the event in a period where the World Cup attracts most of the attention.
- A number of Rabat players who were on loan with other clubs last season are now attracting a number of Premier League clubs.
Donovan Friggieri who was on a one-year loan with Marsa is attracting the interest of Floriana, coached by former Rabat Ajax mentor Ziya Yildiz. Friggieri was already close to joining the Greens last season before actually signing for Marsa. But now that Friggieri is once again a Rabat player, Floriana will be making a bid to sign him.
Another Rabat player who was on loan with the Greens, defender Cedric Caruana could also join Floriana on a definite transfer but only if they pay in cash. This would only be possible if the requisition order by former Floriana president Anthony Grech Sant is removed.
Former Mellieha midfielder Keith Fenech, who was on loan from the Magpies with Birkirkara, will probably change club. Although Birkirkara are interested in a definite transfer, the fact that Rabat want a deal in cash will probably put the Stripes out of the race to sign the player. In fact Pietà Hotspurs have already made a formal request for Fenech who is worth about Lm 18,000.
Tue 25
- The Women's League selection placed second in the third edition of the tournament Sportitudo 2002 which was held in Mozzacane, Italy between June 20 and 25. Taking part in the tournament were Breidablik (Iceland), Inchirore (Ireland) together with Italian sides Fortitudo, Forti Junior and and Vicenza.
Malta registered four wins, losing one game. Therefore the Maltese team under the guidance of coach Alfred Zammit reached the final. Malta defeated Fortitudo 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw and then Vicenza 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Malta went on to beat Breidablik 1-0 and Forti Junior 2-0. They lost to Inchinore 3-5 in a penalty shoot-out after a scoreless draw.
In the final, Malta faced Fortitudo once agaon and following another goalless draw, this time Fortitudo won 4-1 on penalties.
The final placing was as follows: 1. Fortitudo; 2. Malta; 3. Inchinore; 4. Breidablik; 5. Vicenza and 6. Fonti Junior.
Malta player Dorianne Theuma, who plays for Hibernians, was voted as the Best Player of the tournament.
- Newly-promoted Mosta made their second big signing after securing the services of Bulgarian defender/midfielder Angel Terzyski.
Mosta had earlier captured the signature of Lija Athletic goalkeeper Simon Agius, who joined the club on a one-year loan.
Last season, Terzyski was one of the key players for Marsaxlokk which were also promoted to the Premier League after winning the First Division title. Terzyski has been playing in Malta since 1995 when he joined Zurrieq. He then played for Siggiewi, St. Patrick, Gozo FC and Xghajra Tornadoes before joining Marsaxlokk.
Meanwhile Mosta have renewed the loan of defender Frank Ellul from Siggiewi and are currently trying to negotiate the transfer of Albert Busuttil from Floriana. Busuttil was on loan with the Blues last season.
Two Mosta players, Philip Camilleri and Ives Bilocca, are expected to join other clubs. Camilleri, who was inactive last season, is attracting clubs in Division 1 while Bilocca, who was on loan with Xghajra, is expected to join Balzan Youths.
Mon 24
- Michael Mifsud will be returning back to Germany at the end of the week to start pre-season training with Bundesliga side Kaiserslautern.
Kaiserslautern have decided to take up the option to sign the Malta international striker from Sliema Wanderers. The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of Lm30,000. Mifsud has now signed a two-year contract with the Reds. The Maltese striker impressed during his one-year loan spell at the club. He made five appearances in the Bundesliga and was an automatic choice in the Regionalliga Sud side where he finished as top scorer with 14 goals. However his goals failed to help the Kaiserslautern 'Amateure' side avoid relegation to the Oberliga.
This season, Mifsud hopes to form part of the senior squad which is coached by former German international defender Andreas Brehme.
Sat 22
- Intertoto Cup - First Round First Leg Valletta FC vs KS Teuta Durres 1-2
- The Malta Football Referees Association has revoked a boycott of the Malta Football Awards it had issued earlier over the nominations of two referees in a particular category.
After that the Malta Football Awards were launched during a press conference on May 27, the organisers of the event were informed that the Malta Football Referees Association had expressed its disapproval for the two referees nominated for the category Gaffe of the Season.
This resulted in a total boycott of the event by referees as a sign of solidarity towards their colleagues Marco Borg and James Vella Clark. It was agreed that the six match officials nominated for the Best Match Official award would not attend the event and it is understood that MFRA secretary Anton Zammit also informed the MFA about this.
Senior MFA vice-president Carmelo Bartolo acted as a intermediary between the two parties and together with organiser Sandro Micallef and MFRA president Patrick Fenech a number of points have been clarified. Micallef explained that it was not the organisers' intention to ridicule the nominees. An agreement was reached in the way that Marco Borg and James Vella Clark will no longer be considered as nominated for the award and their votes will be transferred to the other nominations.
Patrick Fenech promised that the MFRA will be lifting the boycott on the Westin Malta Football Awards 2001/02 and assured the organisers that the referees nominated for the Best Match Official award will be attending the event. He wished the organisers the best of luck for the event.
Fri 21
- Champions Hibernians were drawn to meet Irish champions Shelbourne in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The draws were held at the Noga Hilton Hotel in Geneva on Friday. The Paolites host Shelbourne on 17 July, with the return game to follow a week later at Tolka Park.
The team which qualifies faces Boavista of Portugal in the second qualifying round. The first leg will be held in Portugal on July 31 with the return leg being held on August 7.
Shelbourne FC are one of the oldest clubs in Europe being founded in 1895 in the Dublin fishing village of Ringsend. They won the Irish league title ten times, two of which in the last three years. Shelbourne won the F.A.I. Cup seven times and the League Cup once. Last season, Shelbourne won the championship by six points over rivals Shamrock Rovers.
- As expected, following the the announcement of the seeding groups to be used in the draw of the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers were drawn with strong teams from the East. Premier League runners-up Sliema face Polonia Warszawa while Rothmans Trophy winners Birkirkara meet FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya of Ukraine. The draw was held on Friday at the NOGA Hilton Hotel, Geneva.
Sliema Wanderers were drawn to meet KP Polonia Warszawa of Poland. The first leg will be held in Malta. Birkirkara will be travelling to Ukraine to meet FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya in the first leg. The return leg will be played at Ta' Qali two weeks later.
The first legs of the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup will be played on 15 August while the return matches have been scheduled for 29 August.
Polonia Warszawa were founded in 1912. They soon established themselves as the most popular team in Poland and in the pre-World War II era, attendance for their games always amounted to tens of thousands. After the end of the war, although 80% of Warsaw was destroyed due to warfare, Polonia Warszawa rised to the challenge and won the championship in 1946. That impressive victory gave all the citizens of ruined Warsaw a new hope to rebuild and revive their capital. During the communist period, Polonia Warszawa were hit badly as authorities preferred the teams directly linked to the militia and the army. Polonia were relegated to the second, third and even lower divisions. When Poland threw down communist regime, Polonia Warszawa returned back to the First League and it took them only a few years before they managed to win the title in season 1999/2000. Polonia Warszawa placed fourth in the Polish First Division with 32 points, ten points behind champions Legia Warszawa, nine behind Wisla Kraków and four behind Amica Wronki.
Birkirkara's opponents, Metalurh Zaporizhzhya, placed fourth jointly with Metalist Kharkiv and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on 40 points each, 26 behind champions Shakhtar Donetsk, 25 behind Dynamo Kyiv and two behind Metalurh Donetsk. Metalurh Zaporizhzhya were awarded fourth place following a protest on the grounds that they had favourable head-to-head records with both Metalist and Dnipro.
This will be their first appearance in European competitions but for Birkirkara, it will be the second time they travel to Ukraine as they had earlier met Shakthar Donetsk.
- Hibernians striker Adrian Mifsud was voted Footballer of the Year 2001-02. Mifsud, who also scored 27 goals for Hibs in their Premier League campaign obtained 47.9% of the total.
Runner-up was Birkirkara defender/midfielder William Camenzuli who collected a total of 44.68%. National team goalkeeper Mario Muscat of Hibernians placed third just 0.47% behind Camenzuli. Muscat had already won the award in season 1997-98. George Mallia of Floriana placed fourth with 35.12%.
Adrian Mifsud therefore crowned a most successful season for him when he played a most important part in the Paolites' title claim. He was voted twice Rothmans Player of the Month - in March and April.
- Besides the MFA Footballer of the Year, the honours for the lower divisions were also announced.
Rabat Ajax defender Charles Borg was voted First Division Best Player. He obtained a total of 45.92, ahead of Clive Mizzi of Marsaxlokk (41.27), Emmanuel Grech of Mqabba (41.14), Gilbert Scerri of St. Patrick (39.21) and Jeffrey Farrugia of Balzan Youths (32.47).
In the Second Division, Zebbug Rangers goalkeeper Martin Pace was voted Best Player with a total of 42.56. The runner-up was Andre Imbroll (Melita - 42.51). Joe Mercieca (Mellieha - 38.95), Andrew Hili (Sta. Venera - 38.91) and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Msida - 37.06) placed third, fourth and fifth respectively.
Chris Agius of San Gwann was voted Best Player in Division 3 with a total of 42.85. Paul Camilleri (Birzebbuga SP - 40.24) placed second, Melvin Agius (Sta. Lucia - 39.79) third, Ludvic Fardell (Zejtun - 39.55) fourth and Adrian Galea (Sirens - 37.56) fifth.
The Best Youth Player is Nicolo Baldacchino of Floriana who obtained 50.45. He placed first ahead of Roderick Sammut (Birkirkara - 40.69), Christopher Schembri (Rabat Ajax - 39.01), Terrence Scerri (Hibs - 37.75) and Ryan Newell (San Gwann - 32.10).
Carmen Mamo of Rabat Ajax was voted Best Female Player with 43.04. Natasha Pace of Melita placed second with 42.81, followed by Dionne Tonna (Hibs - 40.82), Dorianne Theuma (Hibs - 38.93) and Jane Coates (Mosta - 34.41).
Other honours were those for the top scorers in the several divisions. Danilo Doncic is the best scorer in the Premier League with 32 goals; Johann Zammit (Marsaxlokk) top scorer in Division 1 with 16 goals, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Msida) top scorer in Division 2 with 24 goals, Adrian Galea (Sirens) top scorer in Division 3 with 20 goals and Dorianne Theuma (Hibs) top scorer in the Women's League with 13 goals.
Thu 20
- Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers are set for difficult draws in the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup following the announcement of the seeding groups to be used in the draw on Friday at the NOGA Hilton Hotel, Geneva.
In total, ten groups have been created in accordance with the coefficient ranking list. Nine groups comprise eight clubs with the final group involving ten clubs.
Sliema Wanderers were placed in Group 4 together with FC København of Denmark, Livingston FC of Scotland, FC Kärnten of Austria and KP Polonia Warszawa of Poland. Also in the group are FHK Liepajas Metalurgs of Latvia, FC Lokomotiv Tbilisi of Georgia and FC Vaduz of Liechtenstein but since these sides are unseeded, they cannot be drawn with Sliema.
Birkirkara will be facing one team among FK Red Star Belgrade of Yugoslavia, FK Viktoria Zizkov of the Czech Republic, FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya of Ukraine and FC Rapid Bucuresti of Romania. Also in Group 9 are NK Gorica of Slovenia, FC Kairat Almaty of Kazakhastan and SP Domagnano of San Marino.
The first legs of the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup will be played on 15 August while the return matches have been scheduled for 29 August.
- After failing to win the championship or the Rothmans Trophy, Sliema Wanderers will be making an extra effort in order to strengthen their side in view of the coming season.
After securing the services of coach Edward Aquilina, a former Sliema player and coach, who replaces Jeff Wood, they have set their targets on a number of players.
On top of the list seems to be Pietà Hotspurs goalkeeper, Saviour Darmanin. The national team's second goalkeeper has been attracting the interest of the top clubs over the past two years but it is only now that Sliema are expected to make a serious bid. If Darmanin joins Sliema, he would replace Murphy Akanji. The former Nigerian international goalkeeper performed well below what was expected and he will definitely be transferred to another club, probably in the UK.
Sliema Wanderers have already made an official request for Birkirkara trio Joe Brincat, Antoine Zahra and Chucks Nwoko. Nwoko had already renewed his contract with the Stripes who are currently discussing with their players new contracts based on a new wage policy. Antoine Zahra will definitely stay with Birkirkara while Joe Brincat, who is still discussing with the club, could leave. In such case, Sliema would be firm favourites.
Meanwhile among the players who have already left, or who could leave, the Blues are Orosco Anonam who joined Cyprus champions APOEL Nicosia, Luke Dimech who moved to the UK, Kevin Farrugia who joined Marsaxlokk and Richard Buhagiar who is once again a Floriana player.
Wed 19
- A selection from the Women's League will be taking part in the 3rd edition of the tournament Sportitudo 2002 which will be held in Mozzacane, Italy between June 20 and 25. Taking part in the tournament are Breidablik (Iceland), Inchirore (Ireland), Fortitudo (Italy), Sloga (Yugoslavia) and Vicenza (Italy). Malta plays the first two matches on Friday against Fortitudo and then Vicenza. On Saturday, Malta meets Inchirore and then Breidablik. On Sunday, Malta faces Sloga.
Coach Alfred Zammit selected the following players:
goalkeepers Nina Dimech (Birkirkara) and Michelle Zahra (Hibs);
defenders Rebecca D' Agostino (Birkirkara), Marisa Deguara (Mosta), Leslie Ann Galea (Hibs), Sandra Sammut (Mosta) and Dorianne Theuma (Hibs);
midfielders Maria Azzopardi (Melita), Sarah Caruana (Hibs), Roberta Holland (Melita), Natasha Pace (Melita), Dionne Tonna (Hibs), Ingrid Vassallo (Birkirkara), Joanne Vella (Hibs) and
forwards Tessie Agius (Hibs), Eleonora Agliano (Raiders), Catherine Camilleri (Birkirkara) and Jane Coates (Mosta).
- The MFA Coach Licence Board would like to inform all C Licence coaches who have applied or are going to apply for the renewal of their coaching licence but have not attended the required number of four instructional meetings during season 2001/02 as required according to the regulations regarding coaching as issued by the MFA, the MFA will organise four instructional meetings so that coaches can attend these meetings in order that they can be issued with a coaching licence.
The dates for these meetings are as follows: Wed 26, Thu 27, Fri 28 June and Mon 1 July.
These instructional meetings will commence at 18:30. All coaches are expected to wear their training kits because of the practical sessions.
Tue 18
- Three Maltese clubs will be hoping luck is on their side as the draws for the first and second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League and the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup 2002-03 will be held at the Noga Hilton Hotel in Geneva on Friday.
Representing Malta in the UEFA Champions League will be champions Hibernians while Rothmans Trophy winners Birkirkara and Premier League runners-up Sliema Wanderers will be taking part in the UEFA Cup.
With no big names in the draw, the three clubs local will be hoping to get a favourable draw - that is a team which is which could mean qualification to another round.
In the Champions League, Hibernians are most likely to meet one team among FC Skonto (Latvia), APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus), Tampere United (Finland), Torpedo Kutaisi (Georgia), FC Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova), IA Akranes (Iceland), FC Belshina Borbruisk (Belarus), FBK Kaunas (Lithuania), Shelbourne FC (Ireland) and FK Vardar (Macedonia) since all these clubs have a better ranking than the Paolites.
The first-leg matches in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League will be played on 17 July, with the return games to follow a week later. The second qualifying round games will be played on 31 July and 7 August.
Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers' opponents in the UEFA Cup are most likely to be among the following teams: Ipswich Town (England), Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel), FC Copenhagen, FC Midtjylland and OB Odense (Denmark), Servette and FC Lugano (Switzerland), Varteks Varazdin and Hajduk Split (Croatia), Wisla Krakow, Amica Wronki and Polonia Warsaw (Poland), Red Star Belgrade and Sartid Smederevo (Yugoslavia), Sigma Olomouc and Viktoria Zizkov (Czech Rep), IFK Goteborg, AIK Stockholm and Djurgårdens IF (Sweden), Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia), FC Lovech and CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria), Leixões SC (Portugal), SK Brann Bergen and Stabaek IF (Norway), Aberdeen and Livingston (Scotland), Metalist Kharkiv (Ukraine), Excelsior Mouscron (Belgium), FC Kärnten (Austria) , HJK Helsinki (Finland), Rapid Bucuresti and National Bucuresti (Romania), Ferencvaros and Újpest TE (Hungary), NK Primorje (Slovenia), Matador Púchov and Koba Senec (Slovakia), Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus) and Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia).
The first legs of the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup will be played on 15 August while the return matches have been scheduled for 29 August.
Mon 17
- Former Valletta coach Edward Aquilina will be appointed as the new Sliema Wanderers coach in the coming days after the contract of Englishman Jeff Wood was not renewed.
Aquilina, who played for Sliema for a long period and who had also coached Sliema for a short period in the early eighties, was approached by Valletta a few weeks ago as they were searching for a replacement for Georgi Deanov. However Aquilina had turned down their offer.
Edward Aquilina had coached Valletta between 1994 and 1998, winning all major honours local football could offer including a clean sweep of honours in season 1996-97.
Meanwhile Robert Arrigo was confirmed as president of Sliema Wanderers. After that only two members had declared their intention to stand for election last week, Arrigo, together with secretary John Bugeja and treasurer Robert Dingli were also confirmed in their posts unanimously by show-of-hands in Sunday's annual general meeting which will elect a new committee.
- Hibernians defender Silvio Vella will be quitting his career as a player next month when the Paolites take part in the first qualifying round of the Champions League after being engaged as one of the coaches in the coaching staff of the Malta Football Association at the MFA Technical Centre, Ta' Qali.
Vella has been appointed assistant to Mark Miller. Miller has recently replaced Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia as coach of the Under 21 side. Farrugia left the Malta youngsters after four years to join Pietà Hotspurs.
The coaching staff at Ta' Qali is now a sort of Hibs 'colony' with four coaches all being ex-Hibs players. In fact, Mark Miller, John Bonello, Edwin Camilleri and the latest arrival in the coaching staff, Charles Scerri, are all former Hibs players.
Sun 16
- Scottish newspaper The Sunday Mail reports that 23-year old Motherwell defender Eddie Forrest could join Birkirkara and therefore play for the Stripes in the UEFA Cup.
Forrest, who plays as a central defender, started his career with Stirling Albion as a trainee in 1996 and after three years joined Airdrie. Last summer he signed a three-year contract with Motherwell, but last month he was sacked and offered a one-off payment of £250.
Forrest recentely got married and was due to spend his honeymoon in Malta.
Sat 15
- Sliema Wanderers striker Orosco Anonam signed a one-year contract with Cyprus champions Apoel Nicosia.
This will be the second time Anonam is trying his luck in another European country after arriving in Malta in 1998. Last year, the Nigerian striker had joined Vasas SC in Hungary but was forced to return back to Malta as the Hungarian club was not in a position to honour the contract.
Throughout this season, Anonam went for trials with Liaoning Fushun Tegang in China, St. Gallen in Switzerland and recently with Auxerre in France.
Orosco Anonam arrived in Malta in summer 1998 where he joined Naxxar Lions. There he formed an exciting duo with Chris Oretan, who currently plays for Valletta. With Naxxar Anonam played 21 and scored seven in his first season and played 19 scoring 13 goals in the second year. In summer 2000 he joined Sliema Wanderers where he scored 22 goals in 26 league matches. On his return to Malta, Anonam scored seven goals for the Blues this season.
- Malta Under 21 international goalie Justin Haber could join Rothmans Trophy and Super Cup winners Birkirkara after the two parties reached an agreement over the contract offered by the Stripes. The only stumbling block is the fact that Floriana claim that Haber is still under contract with them and is therefore not free to move to another club.
At the age of 21, a player is usually free to move to another club as long as the club pays the transfer fee according to the parameters established by the Malta Football Association.
However the Greens claim that Haber is still under contract. Two seasons ago, Haber was released by Floriana in order to join Bulgarian Second Division side SK Dobrudzha and on his return, he signed once again for Floriana. Therefore, according to Floriana FC, Justin Haber is still a Floriana player.
Justin Haber and Birkirkara are now expecting a ruling by the Malta Football Association which should decide whether Haber is still under contract with Floriana or not.
If Haber joins Birkirkara, this will definitely mean that Yugoslav goalkeeper Robert Savic will be released after four years at the club. In such case, Birkirkara may sign another foreigner while Savic could move to another club. Interested in the Yugoslav goalkeeper are Sliema Wanderers and newly-promoted Marsaxlokk.
- Malta's Under 18 side under the guidance of coach Mark Miller suffered the second defeat in three matches Under 18 Amateur European Tournament which is being held by the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (FIGC) in Emiglia Romagna losing to San Marino 2-0. San Marino took the lead just before the break and doubled the score two minutes from time. Malta won the first match 3-1 against Albania but then lost 0-2 to hosts Italy.
Against San Marino, Malta played as follows: Reuben Gauci Ryan Newell, Andrew Zammit Tabona, Shawn Tellus, Ryan Mintoff, Kurt Zammit, Trevor Cilia (28' Cleaven Frendo)(60' Sergio Ciappitta), Christian Cassar, Nicolo Baldacchino, Shawn Bajada, Antoine Sacco.
Thu 13
- Malta suffered a 2-0 defeat to hosts Italy in the second match of the Under 18 Amateur European Tournament which is being held by the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (FIGC) in Emiglia Romagna. Italy took the lead on the half hour thanks to captain Pietro Suardi and doubled the score with a goal by Umberto Improta ten minutes in the second half. Malta plays the third match on Friday against San Marino.
- An Italian team from Rome won the eleventh edition of the Mundiavocat, the World Cup of Lawyers, which was held in Malta between May 30 and June 9.
Commenting on the hosting of the Mundiavocat, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth & Sport, Jesmond Mugliett said, "42 football teams, 1000 athletes, 7 full-size football pitches, around 20 matches per day and 9 consecutive days of competition. These are the impressive statistics which feature in this largest edition of the Mundiadvocat which is being hosted for the first time in Malta. We were faced with a challenge and we believe that Malta has once again risen to the occasion and gave proof of its ability to host large sporting events. When we were placing our bid to host this prestigious event around a year ago, we were conscious of the potential which this country has in terms of availability of facilities. We embarked on a programme of upgrading of the facilities at the Marsa grounds and some other football facilities, which are presently run by other sports entities. In fact, we immediately upgraded the floodlighting system at the Matthew Micallef St. John Athletics Stadium, at Marsa and installed a new set of lights for the second training pitch in Marsa. We also worked on the turf pitches in these venues. The works at the Marsa grounds have cost around Lm10,000 and this means that these facilities are therefore upgraded permanently for the other users of these facilities" continued Mugliett.
"We also upgraded the floodlighting system at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun and although no matches were played in the Floriana Arena due to technical reasons, we have also assisted financially the Floriana F.C. Committee to upgrade the dressing rooms at the Floriana Arena. We are satisfied with the cooperation we received from other sporting entities including the Malta Football Association, the Gozo Football Association and the Hibernians F.C. who also provided the other venues for the matches. We also want to mention the positive contribution of local referees which officiated the majority of the matches and a pool of qualified nurses and the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade which provided medical assistance for all the matches."
Mugliett appealed to all sports bodies to take the initiative to bid for similiar events. Sports tourism is beneficial to sports because it makes the facilities more feasible, it offers more experience to referees and raises the international profile of Maltese sports.
He thanked Vincent Pinnatel, the Organiser of this tournament and his team for their co-operation as well as the George Hyzler and his staff who were in charge of the organisation of the tournament.
Wed 12
- Birkirkara midfielder Joe Brincat was voted Rothmans Player of the Month for the second time this season winning the award for May 2002. He had won this award last January.
This is his sixth Player of the Month award for Brincat. While playing for Hamrun, he was voted Player of the Month three times - in October 1987, March 1988 and December 1992. He won the award again in September 1997 when he was a Floriana player and then last January for the first time as a Birkirkara player.
The 31-year old national team midfielder, made his Premier League debut in season 1986-87 with Hamrun Spartans. He then moved to Floriana before finally joining Birkirkara in season 1997-98. During that season, he managed to end the season as Premier League top scorer after scoring 11 goals with Floriana and 8 for Birkirkara. Brincat won all the major honours the local game can offer including the Footballer of the Year award in 1992-93.
Joe Brincat's highest points in a sixteen-year career are the Premier Division title won with Hamrun Spartans in season 1986-87 at the age of 17 years, the qualification for the first round proper of the UEFA Cup this season with Birkirkara, at the expense of Lokomotiv Tbilisi together with the winning the Rothmans Trophy and Rothmans Super Cup with Birkirkara this season. Another important occasion was the goal scored against Germany in Malta's 1-2 home defeat in a friendly international "A" in September 1998.
Joe Brincat spends any spare time in the company of his family. He dedicates this award to his family and to his parents.
Tue 11
- The Malta Under 18 side opened its commitments in the 3rd Under 18 Amateur European Tournament which is being held by the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (FIGC) in Emiglia Romagna with a well-deserved 3-1 win over Albania.
Mark Miller's boys dominated the first half scoring twice and missing several other good scoring chances. In fact Malta went into the lead early into the match on 7 minutes courtesy of Nicolo Baldacchino. But Albania soon equalised against the run of play through midfielder Gersi Arberi from a direct free-kick.
In the 24th minute, Baldacchino who was a constant menace to the Albanian defence restored Malta's lead when grabbing his second goal of the match.
After the break, the Albanians piled up more pressure to grab the equaliser but the Maltese defence succeeded to hold on.
Malta increased the lead in the dying minutes of the match, through a well-taken header by Valletta's striker Antoine Sacco from an accurate free-kick taken by Shaun Bajada.
The tournament is being held at Emilia Romagna in Italy and Malta will play the second match on Wednesday against Italy, the hosting country at Campo Comunale di Bellaria.
MALTA: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Newell, Andre Zammit Tabona, Shaun Tellus, Ryan Mintoff, Kurt Zammit (82' Sergio Cappitta), Trevor Cilia, Christian Cassar (87' Alex Muscat), Nicolo Baldacchino, (75' Cleaven Frendo), Shaun Bajada, Antoine Sacco.
- The final rounds of Pepsi Football Festivals for the Under-10 were held at Tedesco Ground in Hamrun. These festivals, which commenced last December 2001, provide the ideal opportunity for budding football enthusiasts to practice their favourite sport and improve their talents and skills through participation.
Thirty-nine Youth Nurseries participated during this year's Pepsi Football Festivals organised by the Youth Football Association. The matches were played every Sunday morning in different venues to give as many nurseries as possible the opportunity to host the events.
Throughout the Pepsi Football Festivals, the children enjoyed a healthy competitive atmosphere focusing more on playing well rather than on winning. These festivals fall in line with Pepsi's international strategy to encourage a sport, which is so popular with young Pepsi drinkers.
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: "Once again, the Pepsi Under 10 Football Festivals have been a great success. Pepsi will continue 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."
Mon 10
- Maltese U/21 international, Matthew Galea returns back home - Australia - this week after two years in Malta with Hamrun Spartans. Arriving in Malta in December 2000, he played a couple of matches with Valletta and Birkirkara before joining the Spartans. The former Olympic Sharks Youth Player of the Year and Blacktown City junior, has won eight U/21 caps and was one of the best performers for Hamrun this season.
"I have had a number of offers to stay at higher placed clubs in Malta, but I wish to return home for a season or two, as I am still young, and I wish to show how my game has improved by Australian standards" said the 22 year old defensive midfielder. "I want to return to Europe, but Australia is my next career step. The move to Malta was good for me, and I was able to play against top-class opposition such as Denmark, Sweden, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic." he added.
Galea, was also called into the senior national squad training camp, but is still to win his first senior cap.
"Matthew has great vision and is always dangerous when moving forward. He creates goals with a creative and accurate last pass, and his time in Europe has seen him become a model professional." said Jim Prodanovich of Zenith Football Management.
Galea arrives in Sydney on Friday morning.
Sat 8
- Unlike previous years just four players were nominated for the MFA Footballer of the Year Award.Two of these players play for champions Hibernians - goalkeeper Mario Muscat and striker Adrian Mifsud. The other two are William Camenzuli of Birkirkara and George Mallia of Floriana.
Adrian Mifsud and William Camenzuli start as favourites to claim the title. Mifsud scored a total of 27 goals in the Premier League helping them to win the title for the ninth time in the history of the club. On the other hand, William Camenzuli was a key figure in the team which won the Rothmans Trophy and the Super Cup. He made his international debut in November and during the season, Camenzuli also managed to attract the interest of English side Stoke City.
- The Malta Under 18 side, under the guidance of coach Mark Miller is currently in Italy to take part in the 3rd Under 18 Amateur European Tournament which will be held by the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (FIGC) in Emiglia Romagna.
Malta will be playing in a group which includes Albania, Italy and San Marino. The teams in the other group are the Czech Republic, England, Romania and Slovenia. Malta plays the first game on Tuesday against Albania at the Campo Comunale Gatteo a Mare, then on Wednesday against Italy at the Campo Comunale di Bellaria and the last match on Friday against San Marino at the Campo Comunale Gatteo a Mare. The winners of each group face each other in the final which will be played on Sunday.
The players in the Maltese squad are:
goalkeepers Reuben Gauci (Floriana) and Christian Calleja (Sliema);
defenders Sergio Ciappitta (Pietà), Ryan Mintoff (St. Andrews), Shawn Tellus (Sliema), Kurt Zammit (Valletta), Roderick Zammit (Sta. Lucia), Andrea Zammit Tabone (Sliema);
midfielders Shaun Bajada (Floriana), Christian Cassar (Floriana), Trevor Cilia (Floriana), Clayton Micallef (Hibernians), Josef Mifsud (Sliema);
forwards Nicolo Baldacchino (Floriana), Clayton Garzia (Birkirkara), Alex Muscat (Sliema), Ryan Newell (San Gwann) and Antoine Sacco (Valletta).
Accompanying the squad is head of delegation Godfrey Pecorella, Lawrence Seychell from the International Department, Anthony Scicluna from the Amateur & Youth Committee, assistant coach Pierre Brincat, team doctor Dr Aaron Formosa and physiotherapist Gordon Scicluna.
- The defeat to Birkirkara in the Super Cup final cost champions Hibernians Lm 2,180 after their fans damaged 218 seats. The Control and Diciplinary Board of the Malta Football Association fined Hibs also for other seat-throwing incidents.
The Paolites were fined another Lm 840 after their supporters damaged seats in another four matches in April and May. They were also fined Lm85 after being found guilty of two incidents in which plastic bottles were thrown into the pitch.
Valletta FC were severely reprimanded after failing to honour a decision of the Players and Coaches Complaints Board which had ordered the Citizens to pay Stefan Giglio Lm 2,000. They will have to pay 8% interest on the sum as from April 1 and a prohibition was imposed on the club.
Similar decisions were taken against Birkirkara who owe their former player Carlo Mamo Lm 491, Xghajra Tornaodes who owe Joe Galea Lm 70 and Konrad Sultana Lm 280.
Fri 7
- Minister for Finance John Dalli presented a cheque of Lm10,000 to the Malta Football Association as the annual contribution to the association from the funds raised by the Super 5 lottery.
Mr Dalli said that a number of philantropic and sports organisations benefit from such contributions. This contribution was meant to help the MFA improve the level of the game on the island and also improve its facilities.
During the presentation, Minister Dalli announced that such donations will not be stopped once the public lotto will be privatised. In fact a fund will be set up as provided by the law which was approved in parliament a few months ago.
MFA president Dr. Joe Mifsud thanked Mr Dalli and the Public Lotto Department and said that this donation serves for two reasons. It covers the travelling expenses of the local club taking part in the Intertoto Cup together with the organisation of the Super 5 Cup.
- A battle could be on its way between Valletta FC and Malta international defenders Jeffrey Chetcuti and Darren Debono.
Both Chetcuti and Debono wish to leave Valletta this summer and it is understood that they are willing to "buy" their release from the club by giving up part of the sum owed by the club.
Chetcuti is owed around Lm18,000 between salaries and other bonuses while Debono is owed more than Lm10,000.
However the problem lies in the fact that Valletta are not willing to deprive themselves from the two international defenders expecially after that John Buttigieg called it a day and David Carabott is still injured.
The two players are not attending the training sessions as Valletta started pre-season training last Monday. Both of them are believed to be abroad on holiday.
Interested in the two players are Sliema Wanderers.
Thu 6
- Although Robert Savic's days at Birkirkara seemed over just a few weeks ago, the successful conclusion of the season has led the club to offer the Yugoslav goalkeeper a contract extension. At one point, during the final phase of the Championship Pool, Savic was the main target of criticism by the Stripes supporters. However good performances during the Rothmans Trophy and the Super Cup seems to have prompted the club to offer Savic a new contract.
Savic has been attracting the interest of newly-promoted Marsaxlokk who are searching for an experienced goalkeeper. Sliema Wanderers were also reported to be interested in the Yugoslav goalkeeper.
Meanwhile Birkirkara are currently discussing new contracts with a number of players. In fact Romanian defender Lucian Dronca has already signed a new contract with the club.
- The Inter Campus football school is a new project which was launched by Mosta FC together with the Inter Supporters Club (Malta) during a press conference held earlier this week at the Corinthia Hotel.
Inter Campus was established six years ago by top Serie A side Inter and is already running in other countries around the world, namely Argentina, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Hungary, Israel, Palestine, Romania, Slovakia and the USA. The set up of the Inter Campus in Malta could also serve as a stepping stone for other similar projects to be set up in nearby countries.
Inter Campus director Massimo Sereni said the project does not focus mainly on talent scouting but rather on improving young players' skills and to help them enjoy more playing football. The head of the technical sector of Inter Campus, Aldo Montinaro, will be leading some training sessions at the Mosta nursery and will conduct lectures to the staff of the nursery. The Mosta coaches will be provided with a complete programme and qualified coaches from the Inter Campus will be visiting the school four times a year.
Speaking during the press conference, Mosta president Charles Abela said it was a great honour for his club to work with Inter and said that this project should be of a great benefit for the young players at the Mosta nursery. Inter Supporters Club president John Zammit said the club had been working hard on this project for the past couple of years and now that this dream had come through, he wished that this will only be the start of a successful partnership.
Wed 5
- The next destination for Sliema Wanderers' Nigerian striker Orosco Anonam could be Cyprus. Champions Apoel Nicosia, who have been following the player for the past week are believed to have already approached Sliema Wanderers and an agreement between the two parties is imminent.
Orosco Anonam arrived in Malta in summer 1998 where he joined Naxxar Lions.
There he formed an exciting duo with Chris Oretan, who currently plays for
Valletta. With Naxxar Anonam played 21 and scored seven in his first season
and played 19 scoring 13 goals in the second year. In summer 2000 he joined
Sliema Wanderers where he scored 22 goals in 26 league matches. Last summer he was transferred to Vasas SC of Hungary but after playing, and
scoring regularly, in friendly matches, he only made short appearances in
league matches. But after a few weeks, he had to leave the club as Vasas SC
were facing bankruptcy and debts led the club management to slash the wages
of the foreign players. Back in Malta, he rejoined Sliema Wanderers. However throughout this season, Anonam and his manager were always on the alert searching for a new club. In fact he went for trials
with Liaoning Fushun Tegang in China, St. Gallen in Switzerland and recently with Auxerre in France.
- Veteran Valletta defender John Buttigieg has called it a day at the age of 38. In fact, Buttigieg is one of the Valletta players who have not started pre-season training.
Valletta started their pre-season training on Monday under the guidance of new coach Dennis Fenech.
Buttigieg had started his career with Sliema Wanderers but then moved to England where he played for Brentford in Division 2. Back in Malta, he joined Floriana where he played for eight years. Three years ago, he signed for Valletta. Buttigieg, who played 97 matches for the national team, won all the honours local football could offer.
Other players not attending training sessions are Jeffrey Chetcuti and Darren Debono besides the injured David Carabott.
- After a successful loan-spell with Pietà Hotspurs, Under 21 international defender/midfielder Roderick Briffa returns with Birkirkara. Briffa had joined the Hotspurs last December in exchange for Chris Okoh who will therefore return with Pietà.
However the Stripes are expected to make a bid for the Nigerian-born defender after he did a good job at Birkirkara, replacing the injured Michael Spiteri in defence.
Since Pietà Hotspurs, under the guidance of newly-appointed coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, are expected to base on youngsters, they would be ready to transfer Okoh if the right offer comes through.
Mon 3
- First Division champions Marsaxlokk who were promoted to the Premier League for the first time are currently trying to strengthen their side giving trials to a number of foreign players. Two players from Yugoslavia and another four from Nigeria will be undergoing a trial. The Nigerian players will be brought to Malta thanks to Nigerian agent Chev Damien Iwueke, who already brought to Malta a host of Nigerian players.
The club is yet to decide whether to retain Bulgarian defender/midfielder Angel Terzyski who was their only foreigner this season. Terzyski has considerable Premier League experience having played for Zurrieq, St. Patrick, Gozo FC and Xghajra in the Premier Leauge and Siggiewi in Division 1.
On the local front, Marsaxlokk are currently holding discussions with a number of players as they try to retain most the players who were on loan with the club this season. Among these players are Mark Marlow and Clive Mizzi who both joined the club last season. Marlow is a free agent but Mizzi was on loan from Valletta.
Players who have already been linked with Marsaxlokk are Hubert Suda of Birkirkara and Kevin Farrugia of Sliema Wanderers.
Fri 1
- Former Under 21 national coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia will be appointed as the new coach of Pietà Hotspurs. Farrugia will be replacing Patrick Curmi who guided the Hotspurs to safety as he took over the team from Todor Raykov in February.
Raykov had left Pietà in serious relegation trouble but under the guidance of Patrick Curmi, the Hotspurs had amanged to secure their Premiership status two matches before the end of the season.
As soon as Farrugia made clear his intention not to renew the contract with the Malta Football Association, Pietà were the first club to approach him.
Farrugia is expected to encourage the club to focus on younger players and therefore their transfer market will be based on trying to sign players who form, or have formed part, of the Under 21 squad. In fact, their first signing could be Lee Lombardi of St. Andrew's who is a member of the Under 21 squad.
Meanwhile Patrick Curmi was offered the post of head-coach at the nursery, a post he occupied before moving to the senior side. However he turned down this offer as he is interested in coaching a senior side.