February 2007
Wed 28
- Pietà Hotspurs defender David Camenzuli was suspended for one game following last weekend's matches from the BOV Premier League.
He is therefore ruled out of the Hotspurs' next game from the Relegation Pool against Floriana.
In Division 1, Andrew Decesare of San Gwann was suspended for three matches. San Gwann kit-manager Raymond Colombo was banned for two months while official Bjorn Vassallo was handed a two-match ban.
Kevin Borg of Hamrun Spartans was suspended for one match.
Frankie Camilleri (Gozo), Elvin Gauci and Brian Testaferrata (Gudja), Michael Carter (Melita), Neil Gatt Coleiro (St. Andrews) and Mark Grech (Sta. Venera) were all banned for one match in Division 2. Gudja United kit-manager Charles Muscat was suspended for two matches.
Luke Borg (Attard), Jason Mifsud and Eric Lia (Fgura), Ludvig Camilleri (Ghaxaq), Clint Schiavone (Kalkara) and Simon Buhagiar (Pembroke) were all banned for one match in Division 3.
Donald Lia (Gudja) was suspended for three matches in the Youth League while Josef Micallef (Siggiewi), Francois Attard and Simon Portelli (Birzebbuga), Shawn Farrugia and Mead Mifsud (Hamrun), Samuel Cassar and Leighton Grech (Hibs), Elton Azzopardi (Lija), Joshua Agius (Marsa), Gabriel Mansueto (Marsaxlokk), Christian Sant (Mosta) and Bjorn Bondin (Valletta) were banned for one match.
Tue 27
- Mdina Knights FC, will hold a one day 5-a-side football tournament bearing the name of Unights Cup, on March 19th 2007 at the University Synthetic Pitches. Affiliation fee is Lm25.
Winners will be allotted Lm100 cash prize and medals, whereas runners-up will redeem back
their affiliation fee and win a medal each. All football enthusiasts willing to join in this football extravaganza are requested to call on 79705377/ 79093368 or log on to the News section of the Mdina Knights FC portal - www.mdinaknightsfc.com – for further details and to download the application form.
Mdina Knights FC, would also like to thank the Malta University Sports Club (MUSC) for their
continuous support.
Mon 26
- Third Division Pembroke A. vs Luqa SA 1-0, Kalkara vs Sta. Lucia 1-3
Sun 25
- Premier League Marsa vs Pietà H. 0-2, Marsaxlokk vs Hibernians 3-1
- First Division Hamrun S. vs Tarxien R. 3-1, Mosta vs San Gwann 2-1
- Second Division Melita vs Birzebbuga SP 0-0, Mellieha vs St. Andrews 0-0, Gozo vs Lija A. 1-1
- Third Division Ghaxaq vs Kirkop U. 1-1, Siggiewi vs Fgura U. 1-2
- Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Qala SJ 1-1
Sat 24
- Premier League Msida SJ vs Sliema W. 0-1, Valletta vs Birkirkara 3-0
- Second Division Rabat A. vs Balzan Y. 2-1, Gudja U. vs Sta. Venera L. 2-5
Fri 23
- Women's International Friendly Malta vs Switzerland 0-0
- Third Division Attard vs Mgarr U. 0-2, Gharghur vs Xghajra T. 0-1
- Norman Vella, FIFA Futsal Referee, has been appointed one of the referees at a mini-tournament which is being held in Andorra from 26th February to 1st March 2007.
The teams participating in this tournament are Andorra, Israel, Slovakia and Ukraine.
This is Mr Vella’s first international appointment.
Thu 22
- Gozo - Second Division Victoria H. vs Oratory Y. 1-0
- Gozo - First Division Kercem A. vs Nadur Y. 4-3
- Amendments to the statute of the Malta Football Association were approved unanimously during an Extraordinary General Meeting which was held at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali on Thursday.
These amendments will come into force on the day following the Annual General Meeting of the Association which will be held in July.
The amendments dealt mainly with the powers and function of the Council and the Executive Committee, the abolition of the Arbitration Board and the amalgamation of its functions with that of the Players, Coaches and Member Clubs Complaints Board and the setup of the Arbitration Tribunal as required by UEFA and FIFA regulations.
One of the main objectives of these amendments is that the Council will no longer be considered as a disciplinary body and disciplinary action will only be taken by other competent bodies.
The Arbitration Board will be abolished and the Independent Arbitration Tribunal will be set-up. This will be the last and final instance, provided that an appeal from a first decision has already been made and decided by the Appeals Board.
There will be a list of at least five competent persons who could act as Chairman of the Tribunal and a list of at least ten persons to act as members of the Tribunal. In any arbitration procedure, the Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and two other members. The plaintiff and the defendant will nominate the two members, each party nominating its own member from the approved list. These two members will then have to agree on a Chairman from the approved list. Otherwise it will be up to the Council to appoint a chairman.
The Tribunal will deal with complaints by players, coaches or players' agents against a club; complaints by a club against players, coaches or players' agents; complaints by a club or member association against another club or member association; cases of disciplinary decisions imposing a suspension of over two years on a person, club or member association, a fine of over Lm 1,000 on a member club or a deduction of five or more points on a member club. However this does not include the case of relegation decided by the Member Clubs Licensing Board as the first instance body and the Appeals Board as the second instance body.
Meanwhile the Players, Coaches and Member Clubs Complaints Board will now be known as the Players, Coaches, Players' Agents and Member Clubs Complaints Board as this will be dealing with complaints by players' agents against players or member clubs and with complaints of players or member clubs against players' agents. The Board will also be competent to determine all disputes which arise between clubs and/or member associations or between clubs and clubs within the Gozo FA.
Wed 21
- Former referee and football player Sadia Mizzi passed away on Wednesday morning.
Mizzi started her career in football as a player with Mosta FC and was also part of the Malta national team which took part in a tournament in Italy in June 2001. She then took up a career as a referee and was a Class II referee. Mizzi acted as fourth official in the first four home international games for the women's national team.
Sadia Mizzi was also active in other sports, and especially judo, where she represented Malta in the Games of the Small States of Europe 2003.
The funeral will be held on Thursday at the Mosta Rotunda at 13:30.
May God grant her eternal rest.
- Former MFA Treasurer Mr Norman Darmanin Demajo has formally announced his intention to contest the post of president of the Malta Football Association during a press conference which was held at the Luxol Stadium on Wednesday.
Darmanin Demajo spoke about what led him to take the decision to candidate himself for the post and what would he like to do should he gets elected during the association's Annual General Meeting in July.
The St. Andrews vice-president said that a few months ago, he was approached by various people who shared with him their views regarding local football and their concern with regards to the dire financial state of Maltese clubs. They spoke about the possibility of his running for the post of MFA president. He said that last summer, he gave the idea further thought and spoke with various other people in order to get a wider perspective of the situation.
He revealed that in the mean time, he was approached by another individual who was also intended to contest the post but was ready to step back had he decided to run for the post.
Darmanin Demajo went on to say that he began to focus on the priorities and challenges facing Maltese clubs and Maltese football in general.
"Having put all these facts together, I made a personal 'wish list' for Maltese football, and then went about identifying priorities and matching estimated financial resources with my list," said Darmanin Demajo. "Today I am more than ever convinced that the top priority for Maltese football has to be the development of the infrastructure at club level, and I am equally convinced that this can only be done with the wholehearted support, financial and other, of the MFA."
One of the main objectives of the former MFA Treasurer is that "one day all Maltese and Gozitan football clubs will have their own stadium complete with artificial grass playing surface."
Darmanin Demajo said that for Maltese football to move forward, one needs to strengthen the facilities at club level and give clubs the opportunity to administer their own stadium, taking responsibility and control of their own future.
"By assisting clubs directly, the MFA will actually be laying a platform on which we can secure a stronger future for Maltese football and herald a new era in the running of our leagues and competitions."
"I believe that the construction of new stadiums and facilities will then ensure that all organized football in Malta will be played on artificial grass surfaces - another dream and item on my 'wish list'!"
He said that in the next couple of months, he will be visiting all clubs, the Youth FA and member associations in order to share with them his views and seek support for his candidacy, besides taking the opportunity to explain the financial implications of the plan and give more specific information about his plans.
"I will listen to their views and hopefully confirm that my dream is also their dream that my challenge is also theirs and that by working together, our objectives can and will be achieved."
"I have a dream and soon I hope it will become every Maltese football lover's dream. I am ready to make a commitment towards the realisation of that dream," concluded Darmanin Demajo.
Among the persons who form part of Darmanin Demajo's team is former national coach and current MOC Director of Sport Pippo Psaila. He should be contesting for the post of vice-president.
- Qormi Nursery is once more organizing the annual "Tumas Fenech Memorial Festivals" for children of categories ranging from Under-6 to Under-12 at the Club's synthetic ground pitches.
The first session for U-6/U-7/U-8 will be held on the 24th and 25th February. The U-9 and U-10 shall be playing on the 3rd and 4th March, whilst the U-11 and U-12 shall be playing on a
9-a-side basis on the 10th 11th and 18th March.
Seventeen Nurseries shall be participating in these festivals, namely: Attard, Birzebbuga, Hamrun, Marsaxlokk, Melita, Mosta, Msida, Naxxar, Pembroke, Qormi, St Andrews, San Gwann, St Patrick, Sta Venera, Tarxien, Valletta and Zebbug.
The games shall be refereed by Qormi FC Coaches. Medals shall be presented to the participating kids. We would like to take this opportunity to ask parents to support their children positively and to encourage fair play.
Mon 19
- Third Division Sirens vs Ta' Xbiex 9-0, Zurrieq vs Qrendi 0-0
Sun 18
- FA Trophy St. Patrick vs Pietà H. 2-3, Tarxien R. vs Marsa 3-3 aet (2-4 pen)
- Second Division Mellieha vs Dingli S. 0-3, St. Andrews vs Zebbug R. 0-1
Sat 17
- FA Trophy Valletta vs Mqabba 3-2, Mosta vs Msida SJ 1-5
- Second Division Birzebbuga SP vs Rabat A. 2-2, Sta. Venera L. vs Melita 1-0
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Kercem A. 0-7, Sannat L. vs Xaghra U. 2-2
Fri 16
- Third Division Sta. Lucia vs Mdina K. 0-0, Zejtun C. vs Gzira U. 1-2
- St. George's midfielder Edgar Degabriele was handed a five-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner on Friday and will therefore play only one game out of the six Relegation Pool matches for the Cospicua side.
Degabriele was reported by the match inspector for indecent exposure at the end of the BOV Premier League match between Hibernians and St. George's. An incident which went unnoticed by the match officials who were already heading toward the dressing room.
Meanwhile Cleavon Frendo of Marsaxlokk was suspended for one match and is therefore ruled out of the first Championship Pool game against Hibernians.
Jonathan Briscoe White (St. Andrews) was suspended for one match while St. Andrews team-manager David Bianchi was suspended for two matches.
Youth player Riccardo Camilleri (Hamrun) was banned for one match.
Thu 15
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Ghajnsielem 0-0
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs Zebbug R. 0-2
Wed 14
- Hibernians and Malta international striker Terence Scerri was suspended for eight months after being sent off in last Saturday's BOV Premier League match against St. George's last Saturday.
Scerri pushed referee Joe Attard after being sent off and attempted to enter the field of play once again a few minutes later as St. George's were awarded a penalty. He was actually suspended three matches and then suspended until October 13, 2007.
Hibs had two other players suspended for one game - Andrew Cohen and Adrian Pulis. The three players are therefore ruled out of the game against Marsaxlokk.
Birkirkara striker Michael Galea was suspended for two matches after being sent off in the game against Valletta. He will be missing the games against Valletta and Marsaxlokk.
Heathcliff Schembri of St. George's was suspended for one game and is therefore ruled out of the game against Floriana.
Msida St. Joseph president Antoine Portelli was suspended for four matches.
In Division 2, Peter Paul Buttigieg (Gozo), Elton Bugeja (Gudja) and Albert Ciantar (Zebbug) were suspended for one match.
Joseph Mizzi of Third Division side Kalkara was suspended for eight months. Matthew Spiteri (Fgura) and Chris Scerri (Mgarr) were handed a one-match ban.
Edward Ciantar (Rabat) was suspended for two matches in the Youth Knock-Out while Paul Falzon (Rabat) and John Mercieca (Attard) were suspended for one match.
In the Youth League, Mark Galea (Balzan), Hubert Gatt (Gzira), Kane Micallef (Melita), Adrian Borg and Antoine Vassallo (Mosta), Dylan Kokavessis (Pietà), Shawn Vella (San Gwann), John Mintoff (Sliema), Matthew Cilia (Zebbug) and Robert Ghigo (Zurrieq) were suspended for one match each.
- Following last week's 1-1 draw with Austria in a friendly game which marked 50 Years of International Football, Malta climbed four places in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking which was published on Wednesday. Malta is now 114th.
The next games for Malta are the two EURO 2008 qualifiers against Moldova on March 24 away from home and against Greece at Ta' Qali on March 28.
Among the other European countries, Malta is 44th. Just ahead of Malta are Moldova (83rd, up 2), Georgia (86, up 9) Albania (87, down 1), Iceland (95, down 2), Latvia (96, down 6) and Estonia (106). Behind Malta are Armenia (119), Azerbaijan (130), Kazakhstan (145), Liechtenstein (160), Andorra (161), Luxembourg (181), Faroe Islands (183) and San Marino (196).
Tue 13
- Second Division Rabat A. vs Sta. Venera L. 2-1
- Third Division Ta' Xbiex vs Zurrieq 0-6
- Malta was drawn in Group 10 together with France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Wales in the qualifying round of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. The draw was held at the Hilton Stockholm Slussen Hotel in Sweden on Tuesday.
The fifty-one member associations were drawn into nine groups of five teams and one of six teams. Teams will be playing on a two-round league basis, the same format used up to the 2006 edition.
Group games will be played over ten matchdays between 2 June this year and 10 September 2008 with the ten group winners and four best second-placed sides reaching the play-offs. The seven winners of the two-legged ties will join Sweden in the final tournament in 2009.
The ten groups are:
Group 1: Italy, Croatia, Greece, Albania, Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands.
Group 2: Czech Republic, Ukraine, Turkey, Armenia, Liechtenstein.
Group 3: Portugal, England, Bulgaria, Ireland, Montenegro.
Group 4: Spain, Russia, Poland, Georgia, Kazakhstan.
Group 5: Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Estonia.
Group 6: Denmark, Slovenia, Lithuania, Finland, Scotland.
Group 7: Belgium, Slovakia, Iceland, Austria, Cyprus.
Group 8: Serbia, Hungary, Belarus, Latvia, San Marino.
Group 9: Germany, Israel, Moldova, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg.
Group 10: France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wales, MALTA.
In the 2007 UEFA Under-21 Championships, which was played in a completely different format, Malta was eliminated from the Preliminary Round after suffering two 1-2 defeats to Georgia.
Since April 2006, the Malta Under-21 side played four friendly matches, losing 1-2 to Tunisia at Ta' Qali in May, 1-2 to Switzerland at Ta' Qali in September, 1-2 to Tunisia in Tunis and 0-4 to Finland at the Hibs Ground last week.
- Women's national team coach Pierre Brincat named a provisional 21-strong squad for will be playing the friendly match against Switzerland which will be played on Friday at the Hibernians Ground.
The squad includes a number of new faces, namely Kim Parnis, Rachel Cuschieri and Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara), Gabriella Zahra and Charlene Zammit (Melita).
Malta took part in Preliminary Round Group A3 of the UEFA Women's Championship last November in Luxembourg. Following a goalless draw with Lithuania, Malta suffered a 2-4 defeat to Luxembourg, losing heavily to group winners Slovakia in the final game.
The players selected by Brincat and his assistant Alfred Zammit are:
goalkeepers Sharon Costantino (Mosta), Nina Dimech (Birkirkara);
defenders Rebecca D'Agostino (Melita), Marisa Deguara (Mosta), Leslie Ann Galea (Hibs), Natasha Pace (Melita), Kim Parnis (Birkirkara), Alexia Jane Scicluna (Birkirkara), Gabriella Zahra (Melita), Charlene Zammit (Melita);
midfielders Kelly Agius Pace (Birkirkara), Catherine Camilleri Attard (Birkirkara), Maria Azzopardi (Hibs), Jane Coates (Mosta), Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara), Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara), Kathleen Saliba (Hibs), Dorianne Theuma (Hibs);
forwards Ylenia Carabott (Hibs), Sarah Jane Caruana (Hibs), Roxanne Gatt (Mosta).
Switzerland are currently ranked 29th in the world. Malta, on the other hand, is ranked 113th.
Friday's game kicks-off at 15:00.
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organising another Coaching Young Footballers (CYF) Course at the Ta' Qali Technical Centre.
This course is being held over two days, the 10th and 11th March 2007, and closing date for applications will be on Monday 5th March 2007.
Application forms are available on a first-come-first-served basis and can be obtained from the MFA Technical Centre, Ta' Qali during office hours.
Sun 11
- Premier League Sliema W. vs Msida SJ 3-0, Birkirkara vs Valletta
- First Division Naxxar L. vs St. Patrick 0-4, Qormi vs Senglea A. 1-1
- Second Division Balzan Y. vs Mellieha 3-1, Gudja U. vs Gozo 0-1
- Third Division Fgura U. vs Pembroke A. 1-1, Luqa SA vs Kalkara 3-0
- Gozo - First Division Xaghra U. vs Xewkija T. 3-1
- Gozo - Second Division Oratory Y. vs Zebbug R. 0-1
Sat 10
- Premier League Hibernians vs St. George's 1-2, Marsa vs Marsaxlokk 1-5
- Second Division Dingli S. vs St. Andrews 2-0, Zebbug R. vs Lija A. 2-2
- Third Division Xghajra T. vs Ghaxaq 0-2, Kirkop U. vs Siggiewi 2-1
Fri 9
- St. George's central defender Renato Garcia Conceicao has landed the BOV Player of the Month award for January.
Consistently sound defensive play by this Brazilian player has been catching the eye, especially in recent weeks.
A mere four goals conceded by the Saints in as many matches in January, two of which against two of the top teams in the BOV Premier League, helped St George’s offer resistance to opposing attacking formations.
Conceicao played a pivotal role in recent matches which his team drew against Marsaxlokk and Msida.
The Brazilian defender will no doubt be a central figure in his team’s bid to stave off relegation in the forthcoming weeks.
- A Carnival Football Tournament for Nursery Teams in the Under-10, Under-11, Under-12 and Under-13 categories is being staged for the sixth year running by the Sliema Wanderers F.C. Nursery on the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th February 2007.
For this tournament, thirty-two teams from fourteen different local Nurseries will be taking part, with a total participation of 464 boys. A total of 60 matches will be played on the artificial turf pitch of St Aloysius Sports Complex.
The tournament is being played on a 7-a-side basis for the Under 10 category, on a 9-a-side basis for the Under 11 and Under 12 categories and on an 11-a-side basis for the Under 13 category. Together with the hosts, the Nurseries of Birkirkara, Floriana, Hamrun Spartans, Lija/Iklin, Melita, Mosta, Naxxar Lions, Paola Hibs, Pietà Hotspurs, Qormi, San Gwann, St Patrick and Zebbug Rangers are taking part in the various categories.
The tournament, whose first edition was played in 2002 grew in popularity and established itself as one of the best local tournaments organize on the island. After the encouraging response that was received from all the participating teams in the past two editions, the Sliema Nursery for the third year running decided to hold the tournament at the impressive facilities of St Aloysius’ Sports Complex. These facilities offer all participating boys the best opportunities to express their best technical abilities, thus continuing, on the same foot steps of the Youth F.A. to contribute in improving the level of the local game.
The organizing committee, whilst wishing all the participating teams to express themselves in the best sporting spirit, appeals to all followers of the local game to come along and support the Best Young Talent on the island.
- Third Division Qrendi vs Attard 1-0, Mgarr U. vs Gharghur 3-1
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organising another instructional meeting for holders of UEFA ‘A’, UEFA ‘B’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Licence coaches.
This meeting is scheduled for Monday, 12th February 2007 at 17.30 hrs. at the Technical Centre, Ta’ Qali.
This is planned to be a practical session.
- Meanwhile the Malta Football Coaches Association will be holding an instructional meeting next Monday 12th February at the St. Aloysius Complex, Birkirkara.
The meeting will be a practical session by MFA regions coach Darren Abdilla and will commence at 19:30.
The session is valid for all MFCA members having a C or YDD Diploma.
Thu 8
- Gozo - First Division Qala SJ vs Sannat L. 0-2
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs Victoria H. 5-3
Wed 7
- Friendly Match Malta vs Austria 1-1
- Three Premier League players were handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner following last weekend's matches.
Valletta's Dyson Falzon is ruled out of the game against Birkirkara while Msida defender Pio Sciriha will be missing the game against Sliema. For the game against Marsaxlokk on Saturday, Marsa will be without Kevin Cassar.
In Division 1, three Mqabba players were suspended for one match - Clyde Camoin, Albert Busuttil and Marco Catania.
George Saliba (Dingli), Glenn Cefai (Gozo), Elton Camilleri (Lija) and Fredrick Tabone (St. Andrews) were suspended for one match in Division 2 while Nicholas Gatt (Kalkara) and Norbert Gerada (Zejtun) were handed a one-match ban in Division 3. Kalkara team-manager Gerald Ellul was suspended for two matches.
Youth players Dylan Coppola (Floriana) and Karl Carabott (Sta. Venera) were both suspended for four matches while Timothy Fleri Soler (Hibs) was suspended for two matches. Christopher Borg (Balzan), Jacob James Micallef and Ian Darmanin (Floriana), Luka Desira Buttigieg (Hibs), Daniel Bonnici (Kirkop), Clifford Farrugia (Marsaxlokk), Kurt Grech (Msida), Kevin Grech (Pembroke), Owen Camenzuli (Siggiewi) and Steve Buhagiar (Tarxien) were handed a one-match ban in the Youth League.
Tue 6
- Under-21 Friendly Match Malta vs Finland 0-4
- The remaining four BOV First Division clubs were drawn against opposition from the BOV Premier League in the second round of the U*BET FA Trophy. The draw was held on Tuesday during the programme MFA Magazine on Smash Television.
St. Patrick, who had defeated Senglea Athletic in the first round, were drawn to meet Pietà Hotspurs, who had eliminated Vittoriosa Stars.
After eliminating Hamrun Spartans, Tarxien Rainbows will be meeting Marsa who reached the second round after eliminating Qormi on penalties.
Valletta, winners of the FA Trophy eleven times, will face First Division leaders Mqabba. In the first round, Valletta and Mqabba had defeated San Gwann and St. George's respectively.
In another match, Mosta will be hoping to eliminate another Premier League side after beating Floriana 2-0 in the first round. In the second round, they will meet Msida St. Joseph who had defeated Mosta's neighbours Naxxar Lions.
The U*BET FA Trophy second round matches will be played on February 17th and 18th.
U*BET FA Trophy holders Hibernians together with Birkirkara, Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers enter the competition in the quarter-finals which will be played in April.
- Malta will be hosting Austria on Wednesday in a friendly match that will bring to an end the Malta Football Association's celebrations on the occasion of 50 Years of International Football.
Malta made its international debut in a friendly match against Austria on February 24th, 1957. On that occasion, Austria, who were widely considered as one of the strongest teams in the world, won 3-2.
An own goal by Joe Bonnici on the 16th minute put Austria ahead. Eighteen minutes from time, captain Theodor Wagner doubled the score and eight minutes later, Walter Haummer made it 3-0. However in the dying minutes, Tony Cauchi (87') and Sammy Nicholl (89') reduced the gap for Malta to the joy of the over seventeen thousand spectators who witnessed the Malta national team's debut at the Empire Stadium.
Fifty years later, Malta is celebrating this anniversary with a friendly match against the same country.
For this game, coach Dusan Fitzel named an eighteen man squad, namely:
goalkeepers Justin Haber (Marsaxlokk), Andrew Hogg (Pietà);
defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Ian Ciantar (Sliema), Luke Dimech (Marsaxlokk), Brian Said (Sliema), Steve Wellman (Marsaxlokk);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Roderick Bajada (Sliema), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk), Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk), Gareth Sciberras (Marsaxlokk);
forwards Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Michael Mifsud (Coventry), Terence Scerri (Hibs), Ivan Woods (Sliema).
Fitzel's main objective is to prepare the team in view of next month's EURO 2008 qualifiers against Moldova and Greece. The Czech coach said he is quite worried that on such occasions, players do not perform that well.
"We need to concentrate more on the technical aspect of the game in view of next month's qualifying matches," said Fitzel.
Meanwhile the Austrian FA took this opportunity to organise a training camp for its players in Malta. A number of players in fact arrived a week ago with the rest of the players arriving during the weekend.
Since Austria will be one of the host countries for the EURO 2008 finals, they will not play any competitive matches for twenty-four months and therefore the Austrians are taking such friendly matches very seriously.
This will be the eighth clash between Malta and Austria with the latter winning all previous matches. The last meeting goes back to October 1989 when Austria won 2-1 at Ta' Qali.
Wednesday's game will kick-off at 18:00. The match will be controlled by referee Carlo Bartolini from the Swiss FA. He will be assisted by Ingmar Spiteri and Alan Camilleri and fourth official Joseph Attard.
The gates at the National Stadium will open at 17:00.
- Whilst Italian football showed us the dark side of soccer during last weekend, an Under-6 festival was being organised in Gudja depicting soccer as a healthy sport full of excitement and fun.
Eight teams took part in this sport festival, these being Gudja Youth Nursery, Lija/Iklin Youth Nursery, Melita Youth Nursery, Mosta Youth Nursery, Luqa St. Andrew's Youth Nursery, Pietà Hotspurs Youth Nursery and Tarxien Rainbows Youth Nursery.
The festival was organised by the Gudja Youth Nursery and was held in their newly-developed training facilities.
The sun shone on more than 120 kids aged five to six who divided into their respective teams spent the morning and afternoon playing against each other in ten-minutes matches.
No results and league tables were recorded and therefore there was no winner and looser. This was done in order to promote fun and enjoyment away from the normal competition. All the young athletes were presented with a small token at the end of the festival.
The Gudja Youth Nursery organisers wish to thank all nurseries, coaches and parents for helping to make this event a success.
Mon 5
- As part of the celebrations on the occasion of the Anniversary of 50 Years of International Football, the Malta Football Association organised a Gala Evening and Reception at the Millennium Stand, Ta' Qali on Monday.
All national team players from 1957 till these days were invited for the gala evening including the players who formed part of the historic debut against Austria on February 24th, 1957.
Distinguished guests for the gala evening were Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Minister for Education, Youth and Employment Dr Louis Galea and MLP spokesman for Sport Carmelo Abela, in representation of the Leader of the Opposition. The President of the Austrian F.A. Mr. Friedrich Stickler was also among the guests.
Also invited for this event were Executive Committee members and former Executive Committee members, Council members and top officials from all local clubs.
In his speech, MFA President Dr Joe Mifsud spoke in detail about this important anniversary for the Malta Football Association.
"It was an act of courage by the then MFA president Mr Lawrence Farrugia B.E.M and secretary Mr Eugenio Bonello to set-up the first international match for Malta, which paved the way for Maltese football in the international scene," said Dr Mifsud. He went on to mention the players for that very first game - Victor Scerri, Guzi Bonnici, Lolly Debattista, Ninu Calleja, Joe Cilia, Joe Cini, Lolly Borg, Salvinu Schembri, Tony Cauchi, Sammy Nicholl and Pullu Demanuele. George Jones was included as a substitute while Joe Bonnici, Salvu Bonnici and Tony Nicholl were on the reserves' bench. The coach was Joe H. Griffiths.
After this game and another friendly match against Denmark on January 25th, 1958, the Malta Football Association was accepted as a member of FIFA in 1959 and UEFA in 1960. From then onwards, Malta took part in international competitions with its national team and also on club level.
Malta took part for the first time in the qualifiers for the European Championship 1964 with a game against Denmark on June 28th, 1962. The first World Cup qualifier for Malta was played on November 14th, 1971 against Hungary. Since the seventies, Malta took part in each and every edition of these two competitions.
So far 283 national 'A' team matches were played. Malta met most European countries, and other states from Africa, Asia and North America.
Dr Mifsud mentioned four historic wins - vs Greece (23/02/1975), Iceland (05/06/1982), Estonia (12/05/1993) and Hungary (11/10/2006), prestigious draws and other fine performances. He also mentioned the greatest disappointment in the history of the national team - the 12-1 defeat to Spain.
The MFA president went on to mention all coaches of the national team over the past 50 years, namely Joe H. Griffiths, Janos Bedl and Salvu Cuschieri, Carm Borg, Tony Formosa, Joe Attard, Victor Scerri, Terenzio Polverini, John Calleja, Guentcho Dobrev, Horst Heese, Pippo Psaila, Pietro Ghedin, Robert Gatt, Milorad Kosanovic, Josip Ilic, Sigi Held and Dusan Fitzel.
He thanked all those who had worked for the national team as doctors, physiotherapists, kit-managers and those involved in the day-to-day running of the national team. He said that his predecessors, namely Lawrence Farrugia, Dr. Maurice de Cesare, Eugenio Bonello, Chief Justice Emeritus Professor Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici and Dr. George Abela together with General Secretaries Eugenio Bonello, Frankie Attard, Joe A. Sacco and Joe Gauci all worked hard so that the national team would participate with honour in international scene.
Dr Mifsud thanked FIFA and UEFA for their support and main sponsors of the national team over the years, namely Air Malta, Maltacom, TuttoSport and TeamSport, together with commercial partners Infront Sport and CWL.
Following speeches by Austrian FA president Mr. Friedrich Stickler, Hon. Carmelo Abela, Hon. Dr Louis Galea and the Prime Minister, the MFA president presented them with souvenirs.
The players who played the first game were also presented with the limited edition national team kit which was designed for this particular occasion and which will be worn by the Maltese players in Wednesday's game. David Carabott, who holds the record of being the player who played most for Malta, and Carmel Busuttil, who is the all-time top scorer for the national team were also presented with souvenirs.
Music during the gala evening was provided by the Freddie Mizzi Clarinet Choir.
- Malta Under-21 coach Mark Miller named an eighteen-man squad ahead of next Tuesday's Under-21 international friendly match against Finland. The game will be played at the Hibs Ground, kick-off at 15:00.
The team has been playing a number of friendly matches to make up for the lack of competitive matches this season.
Steve Borg, Duncan Pisani, Andrew Spiteri, Stephen Meilak, Thomas Paris, Angus Buhagiar and Quilin Refalo, who were part of the provisional squad, were dropped from the squad for Tuesday's game.
The squad is therefore made up of:
goalkeepers Michael Falzon (Hamrun), Miguel Montfort (Valletta);
defenders Andrei Agius (Martina Franca), Edmond Agius (Hibs), Steven Bezzina (Valletta), Jonathan Caruana (Hibs), Clayton Failla (Hibs), Tyrone Farrugia (Msida), Roderick Fenech (Hamrun), Justin Grioli (Valletta), Julian Vella (Hibs);
midfielders Matthew Bartolo (Hibs), Dyson Falzon (Valletta), Paul Fenech (Msida), Ryan Fenech (Msida);
forwards Edward Herrera (Pietà), Andrew Scerri (Marsa), Ian Zammit (Valletta).
After this game, the Under-21 side will be playing a friendly against Moldova on March 23rd away from home and another friendly at the Hibs Ground on March 27th against Sweden.
The game between Malta and Finland will be controlled by referee Chris Lautier, assisted by assistant referees Joe Camilleri and Mariano Debono and fourth official Marco Borg.
Entrance for Tuesday's game is free.
The Malta Transport Authority notifies that in view of this game, a special public transport service between City Gate, Valletta and the Hibernians Ground will be operational on demand. Buses will depart from in front of the ADT office at the bus terminus. Fare will be of 25cents.
- TeamSport, the kit sponsors of the Malta Football Association, launched a special Diadora kit which will be worn by the national team on the occasion of the friendly match between Malta and Austria which will be marking 50 Years of International Football.
Speaking during a press conference at the TeamSport outlet in Iklin, Jonathan Darmanin and Damien Attard said that after they were informed about the events marking this anniversary, they soon thought about celebrating this event with a special kit.
Diadora, the manufacturers of the national team kits, received this idea with great enthusiasm.
The idea was to develop a jersey which was identical to that worn by the national team players on February 24th, 1957. Representatives from TeamSport and national team manager Ivan Vella met the Diadora designers and with the help of photos from that game, the jersey was designed. The most remarkable feature of these shirts are the laces which used to be a common feature on team jerseys at that time.
Six hundred kits have been manufactured - three hundred which will be available locally and another three hundred which will be sold abroad by Diadora.
These limited edition kits numbered 1 to 300 are available from the TeamSport outlets in Iklin and Cathedral Street, Sliema for the price of Lm 29.99. The kits are packed in a red gift box sporting the Malta cross and the badge of the Malta Football Association.
The players who turned out for Malta in the game against Austria in 1957 will be presented with a shirt each during a Gala Evening and Reception which will be held at the Millennium Stand, Ta' Qali on Monday.
For Wednesday's game, TeamSport and Diadora decided to offer a number of players a pair of Diadora football shoes each. The players who were offered these football shoes are Michael Mifsud, Roderick Briffa, Jamie Pace, Ivan Woods, Gareth Sciberras, Stephen Wellman, Ian Azzopardi and Peter Pullicino.
Michael Mifsud, who is sponsored by Diadora, was then presented by a number of Diadora products by Jonathan Darmanin.
Meanwhile speaking about the game against Austria, Malta coach Dusan Fitzel said that usually when there are too much celebrations, players do not perform that well.
"We need to concentrate more on the technical aspect of the game in view of next month's qualifying matches," said Fitzel.
Sun 4
- First Division San Gwann vs Vittoriosa S. 0-3, Mosta vs Mqabba 3-0
- Second Division Gudja U. vs Zebbug R. 1-0, Mellieha vs Birzebbuga SP 1-1, Gozo vs Melita 0-4
- Third Division Zejtun C. vs Sta. Lucia 2-2, Gzira U. vs Sirens 0-0
- Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Kercem A. 2-2
- Malta coach Dusan Fitzel named an eighteen man squad for next Wednesday's Jubilee Match against Austria.
Hibs goalkeeper Mario Muscat, Birkirkara duo Kenneth Scicluna and Etienne Barbara and Marsaxlokk's Peter Pullicino were dropped while Andre Schembri is missing.
Despite the absence of Pullicino and Schembri, the squad still includes six players from BOV Premier League leaders Marsaxlokk.
The players selected by Fitzel are:
goalkeepers Justin Haber (Marsaxlokk), Andrew Hogg (Pietà);
defenders Ian Azzopardi (Floriana), Ian Ciantar (Sliema), Luke Dimech (Marsaxlokk), Brian Said (Sliema), Steve Wellman (Marsaxlokk);
midfielders Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Roderick Bajada (Sliema), Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara), George Mallia (Birkirkara), Jamie Pace (Marsaxlokk), Kevin Sammut (Marsaxlokk), Gareth Sciberras (Marsaxlokk);
forwards Andrew Cohen (Hibs), Michael Mifsud (Coventry), Terence Scerri (Hibs), Ivan Woods (Sliema).
Wednesday's game will kick-off at 18:00. The match will be controlled by referee Carlo Bartolini from the Swiss FA. He will be assisted by Ingmar Spiteri and Alan Camilleri and fourth official Joseph Attard.
Sat 3
- Premier League Valletta vs Marsa 6-1, Pietà H. vs Floriana 1-1
- Second Division Dingli S. vs Balzan Y. 3-1, St. Andrews vs Lija A. 0-2
Fri 2
- Premier League Marsaxlokk vs Sliema W. 3-2, Msida SJ vs Hibernians 3-0
- Third Division Kalkara vs Fgura U. 0-1, Mdina K. vs Luqa SA 1-4
- On Wednesday 7th February, the National Stadium, Ta' Qali will be the venue of a special friendly match between Malta and Austria, a plum encounter to mark the 50th anniversary of Malta's baptism of fire on the international football stage.
That memorable day was the 24th February 1957 when Malta played Austria in a friendly match at the Empire Stadium Gzira in front of an official attendance of 17,421 but which was certainly watched by more spectators who found a vantage point in every nook and cranny in and around the stadium.
The narrow 3-2 defeat for Malta against the then strong and respected Austria team caused a stir in the football world in those days. However, our gallant display, as much as the result, will remain cemented in our football folklore.
Indeed our maiden voyage on the open seas of international football will be savoured again in this Jubilee anniversary when we meet the same opponents at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali, on Wednesday.
This will be an occasion for the elderly football enthusiasts, who were present at the Empire Stadium half a century ago, to rekindle those memories and give hearty support to our present team when they face the Austrians.
The younger generation will also have good reason to provide good vocal support for Malta, under the guidance of Dusan Fitzel. Our recent prestigious 2-1 home victory over Hungary in a European qualifier last October is fresh in our memories and this should spark off enthusiasm at the Ta' Qali National Stadium.
- The Austrian national team arrived in Malta on Wednesday for a one-week training camp ahead of next Wednesday's friendly match between Malta and Austria which will mark 50 years of the Malta national team participation in international football.
Malta had played its first international match on February 24th, 1957 with Austria winning 3-2 at the Empire Stadium.
For this training camp and the friendly match in Malta, Austrian coach Josef Hickersberger named a 26-man squad but most foreign-based players were not available to join the squad on Wednesday due to club commitments and will be arriving during the weekend or on Monday.
Since Austria will be one of the host countries for the EURO 2008 finals, they will not play any competitive matches for twenty-four months and therefore the Austrians are taking such friendly matches very seriously.
Over the past six months, they played six friendly matches. They lost 1-2 to Hungary in Graz, drew 2-2 with Costa Rica and lost 0-1 to Venezuela in a tournament in Switzerland. Austria then defeated Liechtenstein 2-1 in Vaduz, Switzerland 2-1 in Innsbruck and Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 in Vienna.
In Malta, the team is holding two training sessions daily at the MFA Training Grounds, Ta' Qali. On the eve of the game, the team will be holding a session at the National Stadium at 18:00.
The twenty-six players selected by Hickersberger are:
goalkeepers Jurgen Macho (Kaiserslautern), Helge Payer (Rapid), Andreas Schranz (GAK), Alexander Manninger (Siena);
defenders Hannes Eder (Rapid), Johannes Ertl (Austria), Ferdinand Feldhofer (Wacker Tirol), Christian Fuchs (Mattersburg), Gyorgy Garics (Napoli), Martin Hiden (Rapid), Andreas Ibertsberger (Freiburg), Mario Majstorovic (GAK), Martin Stranzl (Spartak Moscow)
midfielders Rene Aufhauser (Salzburg), Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos), Markus Kiesenebner (Austria), Christoph Leitgeb (Sturm), Thomas Prager (Heerenveen), Yuksel Sariyar (Pasching), Joachim Standfest (Austria), Markus Weissenberger (Frankfurt);
forwards Muhammet Akagunduz (Verona), Roman Wallner (Austria), Roland Linz (Boavista), Sanel Kuljic (Sion), Roman Kienast (Ham-Kam).
Wednesday's game will kick-off at 18:00. The match will be controlled by referee Carlo Bartolini from the Swiss FA. He will be assisted by Ingmar Spiteri and Alan Camilleri and fourth official Joseph Attard.
- Gozitan First Division side Ghajnsielem signed Romanian striker Eugen Marian Bucur till the end of the season.
Twenty-three year old Bucur played with FC Turda and Gloria Bistrita in Romania.
He will make his debut for the Blacks next Sunday in the Onvol First Division match against Kercem United.
Thu 1
- BOV Premier League leaders Marsaxlokk secured the services of two new foreign players - strikers Udo Nwoko and Samir Garci.
As part of the deal which sees Nwoko joining the club from Hibernians, Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva will be moving in the opposite direction.
A product of Hibernians, Nigerian-born Udo Nwoko made his Premier League debut for Hibernians in season 2003/04 before moving to Gozo where he played for Xewkija Tigers. Last season, he played for Mosta before returning with the Paolites this summer.
Twenty-four year old striker Samir Garci was born in Tunisia but holds an Austrian passport. He has been training with Pietà Hotspurs since September and in the mean time, he went twice to Italy for trials with clubs in the Serie C and D.
A former Under-21 international with Tunisia, Samir Garci played for Club Africain in Tunisia, Austria Lustenau, FC Gossau, Austria Lustenau, BNZ Vorarlberg, SC Hatlerdorf, Rot Weiss Rankweil in Austria and USV Eschen in Liechtenstein.
Meanwhile Andre Rocha Da Silva will be the Paolites' third foreigner along Argentine midfielder Pablo Cesar Doffo and Nigerian forward Ndubisi Chukunyere. The 27-year old midfielder played for Floriana for two years before joining Tarxien Rainbows in summer 2005. He had joined Marsaxlokk last July.
- The Malta Under-21 team will be meeting their counterparts from Finland in a friendly international on Tuesday February 6th. This open gate match is scheduled for the Hibernians FC Ground at Corradino and the kick-off time is 15:00.
Coach Mark Miller is busy with his team’s preparation in friendly matches in view of a possible shortfall in competitive encounters after the changes made in the format of the Under-21 UEFA Championship.
In fact, there are two other friendly matches programmed for next month. The first is an away encounter against Moldova on the 23rd March, a day before Malta and Moldova are due to face each other in a Euro Qualifier away from home.
Four days later, Malta will conclude their three-match series of friendlies when they meet Sweden in another Under-21 international at the Hibernians Ground, Corradino.
The game between Malta and Finland will be controlled by referee Chris Lautier, assisted by assistant referees Joe Camilleri and Mariano Debono and fourth official Marco Borg.
The provisional squad selected by coach Mark Miller and his assistant Silvio Vella are:
goalkeepers Michael Falzon (Hamrun), Miguel Montfort (Valletta);
defenders Andrei Agius (Martina Franca), Edmond Agius (Hibs), Steven Bezzina (Valletta), Steve Borg (Mosta), Jonathan Caruana (Hibs), Clayton Failla (Hibs), Tyrone Farrugia (Msida), Roderick Fenech (Hamrun), Justin Grioli (Valletta), Duncan Pisani (Floriana), Andrew Spiteri (Birkirkara), Julian Vella (Hibs);
midfielders Matthew Bartolo (Hibs), Dyson Falzon (Valletta), Paul Fenech (Msida), Ryan Fenech (Msida), Stephen Meilak (Hamrun), Thomas Paris (Qormi);
forwards Angus Buhagiar (Floriana), Edward Herrera (Pietà), Quilin Refalo (Pietà), Andrew Scerri (Marsa), Ian Zammit (Valletta).
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs Zebbug R. 0-0, St. Lawrence S. vs SK Victoria W. 4-2
- Officials from forty-five youth nurseries affiliated with the Youth FA were invited for the traditional January reception at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali. This year's event marks the opening of the association's 25th anniversary celebrations. Members of the Youth FA council from the past twenty-five years were in fact invited for this occasion.
Youth FA president Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro spoke about the association's work over these 25 years. He said that this season, it was the first time that all Youth FA leagues and festivals are being played on artificial turf. Only five years ago, the Youth FA had first started to make use of the St. Aloysius Ground artificial pitch and since then, a number of nurseries have invested in artificial turf pitches.
APS Bank Senior Marketing Manager Mr Alfred Triganza officially presented the sponsorship for the fifth consecutive season. Among other benefits, this sponsorship makes it possible for the Youth FA to host all matches on artificial turf. Mr Triganza said that one of the bank's main objectives has been that of helping children who strengthen their character through sport while keeping away from drugs and other bad habits.
MFA president Dr. Joe Mifsud praised the Youth FA and spoke in detail about the MFA's commitment towards youth football, namely the investment in recent years, the new regional set-up, the signing of the UEFA Grassroots Convention, financial aids to youth nurseries, licensing for youth nurseries and the UEFA mini-pitches project. MFA Amateur, Youth & Grassroots Committee chairman, vice-president Ludovico Micallef said the association is giving special attention to the development of the youth sector, which after all is the future of the national teams.
The financial aid to the nurseries was then distributed according to the licence obtained by each nursery. Twenty-one nurseries were presented with equipment provided by UEFA following their participation in the UEFA Summer Grassroots event.
Meanwhile the Youth FA revealed that a number of activities will be held to celebrate the association's 25th anniversary. These will include a Street Football event in Valletta, a thanks-giving mass, an exhibition and the issue of a commemorative stamp, also thanks to Minister Censu Galea.
As from this year, the Youth FA will be publishing a Year Book, edited by journalist Jesmond Moore. A book which will contain information, results, statistics and photos about each nursery.
Also present for the meeting were representatives from Farsons who sponsor the Under-10 and Under-12 Fun Football Festivals through Gatorade, and representatives from Dominic Anastasi Ltd and G&R Trophies, who sponsor the Under-8 Fun Games events.
- Sta. Venera Lightnings will be organising a one-day five-a-side tournament at the Infetti 5-a-side Synthetic Turf Pitch, Birkirkara on Saturday 10th February from 11:00am onwards.
There will be a Lm 100 cash prize.
Those interested in taking part should contact Raymond Farrugia on 99462803 or Johann Vella on 79462535.