Malta to Host Group ‘B’ Matches As Draws Are Made

Malta were drawn in Group B of the UEFA Euro Futsal 2014 preliminary round. The draws were made in Nyon on 3 December 2012, with Georgia and Moldova completing our group.  The matches are regarded as tough assignments for the Maltese. There were six groups in the preliminary round pots whereas the main round draws, which had the big teams in the pots, comprised five groups. Among the teams in these groups are holders Spain, Russia, Portugal and Italy, amongst other fancied Futsal nations.     The national team coach Kevin Mifsud having debuted lately with two positive results in friendly matches commented “we played against the same teams 14 months ago and we thought we might have had a better draw. These are two of the best teams in the preliminary draws on the same level of France and Israel. We will see Georgia again in the small nations and lately we saw one of their club teams place within the best 16 in the UEFA Futsal Cup with five of their players playing in the national team. We are hosting the preliminary group and I believe that with the introduction of a lot of young faces in our team we can have a go at them. I hope that from the 15th of December onwards, when the league will have a brief break, I well get the full cooperation of the teams to release their players to train with us.” Donald Spiteri , the Futsal Malta Association’s President had mixed feelings about the draw saying ”at first we were rather disappointed about the draw because we wanted to be drawn in a group of 4 teams and have an extra match to play and why not maybe meet a newcomer to the sport. We are hosting the group and in the past I feel we did a great job hoping that the Maltese public will be behind our team.” Meanwhile, and as preparation for the preliminary group matches of the Euro 2014 Championships, which will be played between the 22nd and 27th of January, Malta will be taking part in an International Futsal Tournament to be staged at the Corradino Sports Pavilion, Paola in the beginning of January 2013. Match Day 1 6th January 201315.00Hrs               Georgia vs. Greece17.30Hrs               Malta vs. England Match Day 27th January 201316.00Hrs               England vs. Greece18.30Hrs               Malta vs. Georgia Match Day 39th January 201316.00Hrs               Georgia vs. England18.30Hrs               Malta vs. Greece