Today, on June 19, the Ukraine national team will play a match in the fourth round of the Euro-2024 qualifying tournament. We present our opponent — the Malta team.

Malta

General Information

As of April 2023, Malta held the 172nd place in the official FIFA ranking. The national team of Malta played its first match in history on February 24, 1957 against Austria (2:3), their biggest victory was achieved on March 26, 2008 over Liechtenstein (7:1), and their worst defeat occurred on December 21, 1983 against Spain (1:12). The team is nicknamed "Ioannites," "red" and "Falcons."

Squad

Goalkeepers: Henry Bonello («Hibernians»), Kane Formosa («Valletta»), Matthew Grech («Sirens»).

Defenders: Zak Muscat («Farense», Portugal), Jean Borg («Floriana», Italy), Ferdinand Apap, Kurt Shaw (both — «Hibernians»), Steve Borg («Hibernians»), Karl Micaleff («Gudja United»).

Midfielders: Teddy Teuma («Union», Belgium), Juan Corbalan, Ryan Camenzuli, Matthew Ghyrem, Joseph Mbong (all — «Hibernians»), Adam Magri («Floriana»), Steven Pisani, Nicolai Muscat (both — «Gzira United»), Kane Attard, Yanick Yankam (both — «Birkirkara»), Bjorn Kristensen, Jake Grech (both — «Hibernians»).

Forwards: Jodi Jones («Notts County», England), Jurgen Degabriele («Hibernians»), Sean Dimmock («Valletta»), Kieran Nwoko («Santa Lucia»), Luke Montebello («Birkirkara»), Alexander Satariano («Balzan»).  

The national Premier League has the most representation in Malta's squad. 23 players represent ten clubs from their country's championship.

Head Coach

47-year-old Italian specialist Michele Marcolini has been coaching the national team of Malta since December 2022. He replaced Maltese Gilbert Aziu on this position.

Previously, Marcolini worked with nine Italian clubs, among which are the most well-known «Cesena», «Novara», «Alessandria» and «Albinoleffe». With «Alessandria» he won the Italian Cup in Serie C (2017/2018).

The coach prefers a tactical formation of 3-5-2.

Leader

There are no stars of the world level in Malta's squad. The leader, however, can be considered the experienced defender and captain Steve Borg, who currently plays for «Hibernians».

The 35-year-old Borg has played 73 matches for the national team of Malta, scoring three goals. 

Besides «Hibernians,» the defender also played for «Valletta», «Gzira United» and Cypriot «AEL Limassol». With «Valletta» he became a five-time champion of Malta, three times won the Maltese Cup and five times won the Maltese Super Cup.

He was named Player of the Year in Malta (2019/2020).

Recall that the Ukraine national team will play a Euro-2024 qualifying match against Malta today in Trnava at Anton Malatinsky Stadium (kickoff — 7 PM Kyiv time).