Positive performances for Maltese teams in European Cup

The four Maltese participants in the European Cup competitions achieved some positive results during the last two weeks. Gzira and Birkirkara had the better of their opponents in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, while in the same competition, Mosta gave a good account of themselves against tough opposition, even beating Spartak Trnava at home. Hibernians had to bow their head towards Flora in the Champions League qualification, but now continue their European adventure in the Conference League second qualification round. UEFA Champions League Qualification 1st roundFlora Tallinn 2-0 HiberniansHibernians 0-3 Flora TallinnHibernians’ participation in the qualification phase of the Champions League was short lived as Estonian champions Flora Tallinn proved to be too strong in both legs. In Tallinn, Hibernians could keep up until the 73rd minute, the moment defender Raphael dos Anjos was booked a second time, receiving his marching orders. With ten men, Hibernians faced an uphill struggle and Flora striker Rauno Sappinnen scored twice in the last fifteen minutes to give the Estonians a comfortable 2-0 advantage. In the return match at the Centenary Stadium, two first half goals by Sergei Zenjov and again Sappinnen put the outcome beyond doubt, with substitute Sten Reinkort adding a third late in the game. Hibernians are now continuing in the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa Conference League, playing against SS Folgore in another double header, starting next Tuesday with the away match in San Marino. UEFA Europa Conference League Qualification 1st roundSant Julia 0-0 Gzira UnitedGzira United 1-1 Sant Julia(Gzira win 5-3 on penalties)The Gzira clash with Andorra Primera Divisio runners-up Sant Julia proved to be a tight affair between two teams of equal strength. The match in Andorra ended in a goalless draw, with the hosts holding much of the initiative. Yesterday evening at the Centenary Stadium, the visitors took the lead on 21 minutes thanks to a Bedsente Gomis strike. Gomis had another good opportunity on the stroke of half-time to double Sant Julia’s lead but missed target from an ideal position. Seven minutes after the re-start, Gzira equalised thanks to a precise header by Gabriel Mentz from a free-kick action. Two minutes before full-time, Maxuell Samurai had a good opportunity to send Gzira through but the striker failed to score. Both teams did not manage to find the net during extra time, although Gzira’s Jefferson came close to score on 114 minutes with a close-range header. It was eventually Gzira who took the penalties better. They are now facing NK Rijeka of Croatia in the 2nd Qualifying round, with the first match being played at the Centenary Stadium next Thursday, kick-off 19h. Birkirkara 1-0 La FioritaLa Fiorita 1-1 BirkirkaraAfter a two-year absence in Europe, Birkirkara returned with a hard fought 2-1 aggregate win over La Fiorita of San Marino in the 1st Qualifying Round of this new UEFA competition. Birkirkara won the first match in Malta 1-0. The all-important goal at the Centenary Stadium was scored by Yannick Yankam on 14 minutes. It left the outcome of the return match yesterday evening wide open, but eight minutes after the interval, Luke Montebello scored the opening goal for the visitors, putting Birkirkara in a favourable position. Three minutes later, La Fiorita equalised with a shot deflected by Yankam, but the Maltese side stood firm with the score remaining unchanged. This means that Birkirkara will now face Olimpia Ljubljana in the 2nd Qualifying round, starting with an away match in Slovenia next Thursday.Mosta 3-2 Spartak TrnavaSpartak Trnava 2-0 MostaEuropean Cup debutants Mosta surprised friend and foe in their home match against Spartak Trnava by beating their more quoted Slovakian opponents 3-2. The Blues went off for a dream start, going up 3-0 after 35 minutes play thanks to Christ Evo Ememe, a penalty by Clayton Failla and a smart Johnson Nsumoh strike, before Filip Twardzik pulled one back for Trnava from the penalty spot just before half-time. In the second half, the visitors pushed Mosta back into defence with captain Martin Micovic reducing the deficit with a fine goal on 80 minutes. An unexpected positive result for the number six of last season’s Premier Division, who also gave a good account of themselves yesterday evening in the away match in Slovakia. Spartak beat Mosta 2-0 with Twardzik opening the scoring in the 16th minute and Bamidele Yusuf doubling on 34 minutes. However, Mosta were praised with a determined and disciplined performance, making their unexpected European Cup experience a short but positive one.