Malta in mood for futsal breakthrough

Malta lost all three fixtures on their UEFA European Futsal Championship debut in 2007, but their development under experienced coach Michal Stříž has left them in confident mood as they prepare to meet familiar opposition in the preliminary round on home territory from 19-22 February.

Defeats
In their first European campaign, Malta lost 7-1 to Cyprus, 13-0 to Kazakhstan and 5-2 to Georgia, but last year they made their debut in FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifying and were beaten only 2-1 by Greece and Albania. That pair, along with Georgia, form their opposition this time around in Paola and Jeanbert Gatt, a veteran of all Malta's competitive futsal fixtures, believes the home side can go one better.

Hard work
"The atmosphere around the team is really good," Gatt told uefa.com. "Everyone has been working hard, and here I must mention our national team coach Michal Stříž and his assistant Mark Marlow for the sterling work they have put in . Everyone is looking forward to achieving that very important milestone for our country – that of finally securing our first ever point on the competitive international futsal stage."

Happy memory
He added: "Having already played against these three sides, I believe that this could be our year, to finally achieve our goal from this tournament, where we are up against very difficult sides." Gatt learnt the strength of Georgia the hard way three years ago but still has happy memories of that reverse. "I will never forget that match, despite ending on the losing side," the Cinco Aluserv player said. "I scored my first and only international goal for Malta in that match."

Preparation
Stříž, who coached the Czech Republic between 1998 and 2005, finishing third in the 2003 European finals among a number of achievements, took over the Malta side for his first competitive games and has been working hard with the squad for these matches. They travelled to France in November, falling to 9-0 and 10-0 defeats against a nation ranked high enough to be excused the preliminary round, and are facing a Sicily regional side twice this week to warm up for their latest European campaign.