Saturday, August 25, 2007

Turkish Fans May Take No Delight In Malta Clash

Subtlety is not the name of the game for the upcoming Malta - Turkey football clash, as dedicated Maltese fans invoke the Great Siege to drum up support for the national side. By coincidence, the European Championship match will be played on September 8, Victory Day, when the historic defeat of the Turks in 1565 is commemorated. For the Turks that date may be just a minor detail of history best forgotten, but with a fortnight to go to the clash, the Maltese supporters are doing their best to remind them about the Ottomans' humiliating capitulation nearly five centuries ago.

In Marsa, one of the billboards erected to publicise the match depicts a knight's armour with a football replacing the face. Insiders say a number of hardcore supporters are also planning to turn up at the Ta' Qali stadium dressed up as knights and others are printing hundreds of T-shirts depicting the eight-pointed Maltese cross. The fact that the match coincides with the Great Siege anniversary should entice even more people to the stadium, say Louis Agius and Paul Spiteri Lucas, from the South End Core supporters group.

The hype has paid off: Thousands have already bought their tickets and one individual has even posted a two-and-a-half minute video on YouTube linking the Great Siege to the match. Over 4,000 flags are being designed for the occasion and 20 big drums will be beating through the crowds. A replica of the Maltese shirt measuring 15 metres by 10 metres will flow over the curva. "We're not telling anybody to turn up at the stadium dressed up as knights but, of course, you never know what the supporters are planning to do," Mr Spiteri Lucas says. Mr Agius says the match would not have attracted so much attention if it were played on any other day.
"We're not going to battle but it's always a laugh to rekindle historic events, the same way the British do when they play Germany," he said. But, in reality, the anticipated taunts will probably go over the Turkish players' heads.

Birdlife Malta's executive director Tolga Temuge, a Turkish national, said that while victories are remembered in a nation's history, defeats are not. For the vast majority of Turks, Malta is not associated with the Great Siege but with football. During its lowest footballing ebb, Turkey could only manage to beat teams like Malta, Mr Temuge smiles. After placing a surprising third at the 2002 World Cup, Turkey now lies in 22nd place in the FIFA rankings. In reality, though, he believes that football matches between nations should not be taken out of context and turned into a platform to promote differences and historical hostilities between nations but rather should be used to promote tolerance and peace. "As somebody who has a Maltese partner, lives in Malta, works for the environment of Malta and pays taxes in Malta, of course I am sympathetic towards the Maltese side.

To me, watching a good game and seeing players and fans applauding both sides regardless of the result of the game is the main point." Mr Temuge says he will be delighted to see a draw or a Maltese victory - as he has always favoured the weaker sides. In fact, Malta has never managed a draw, let alone a victory against the Turks. It lost all its previous five official clashes, scoring two goals and conceding 13. The estimated 4,000 Turks living in Malta - most of whom are expected to be present for the match - will not wish for any change in trend.

Monday, August 20, 2007

MALTA RUGBY HEADS FOR TA’ QALI

Kavallieri RFC and other Malta Rugby members are teaming up with Rookies Sports Bar and Ryans Irish Pub to form part of the ‘South End Core’ at the forthcoming Euro 2008 football qualifier Malta against Turkey on September 8 at the National stadium, Ta’ Qali.

European rugby culture shares many similarities with those of football and historically goes back centuries.

The Malta Rugby Football Union is looking to build on already strong relations with local football clubs and other football authorities.

Therefore the union continues to encourage this kind of initiative and support for Team Malta in all sports.

The MRFU would also like to thank local club sponsors 'Rookies Sports Bar' and 'Ryans Irish Pub' for their constant support towards the growth of Rugby in Malta.

Local rugby enthusiasts are invited to join us in supporting the Maltese national football team.

For more information on forming part of the Malta Rugby support please contact Pierre Mangion from Kavallieri RFC on 99429590 or by sending an email to pierremangion@gmail.com


From: http://www.maltasport.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1048

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Tragedja...

F'dan il mument ta niket u stennija, Birkirkara Ultras jixtiequ jaghtu l- apogg kontiju u solidarjeta mal- qraba tal- persuni li ghadhom mitlufin wara l- ispluzzjoni tal- kamra tan- nar. Lkoll nitlobu ghalijhom u nistennew xi ahbar posittiva.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Another Ultras Forum

http://vivereultras.forumcommunity.net/

This forum is highly visited and you can let many people know about what happens hear in Malta in the Ultras scene! I think that this forum is a very good occasion to find a lot of Ultras and discuss with them. Hope all of you know at least a basic Italian! :)

btw.. if you know about other forums on the Ultras.. just link them in the comments section! :)

Wednesday, June 20, 2007