Gianluca Lia

Sports Writer at Times of Malta

Match Analyst at Freelance

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Articles

Watch: Basketball great Bernie Rodriguez says European players can match NBA stars

6 days ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Berni Rodríguez may have retired from professional basketball in 2016, but his insights into the game remain razor-sharp – especially when it comes to comparing basketball cultures on both sides of the Atlantic. Rodriguez is a former world champion with Spain, and a few days ago, he was brought to Malta by Gioya Higher Education Institution to promote courses for retired players.
Malta captain Matthew Guillaumier completes move to Panserraikos FC in Greece’s top-flight

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Malta international midfielder Matthew Guillaumier has completed his move to Greek football, signing a two-year deal with Panserraikos FC. Earlier this week, SportsDesk reported that the Malta captain was linked with a move to the Greek club after reports from Greece were reporting the possibility of this transfer.
Floriana sign ex-Marsaxlokk defender Lucas Lopez

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Floriana have signed former Marsaxlokk defender Lucas Lopez for the upcoming 2025/2025 season. Lopez, 31, leaves Marsaxlokk after playing 29 games across all competitions. The Argentine player also scored 4 goals and had 1 assist. He was part of the Marsaxlokk side that faced Albania’s Partizani in last season’s UEFA Conference League, in which he will feature again for Floriana as they take on Welsh side Haverfordwest County AFC in the first round.
Watch: Ħamrun Spartans set to bring in Brazilian defender Rafael Compri - report

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Ħamrun Spartans will bolster their defensive department with the arrival of Brazilian defender Rafael Compri, reports in the Brazilian media said on Thursday night. A report on the Brazilian website Mironneto.com, said that Compri will be heading to Europe and join Malta champions Ħamrun Spartans.
Watch: Messi strikes as Inter Miami stun Porto at Club World Cup

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

A Lionel Messi trademark free-kick earned Inter Miami a shock 2-1 comeback win against Porto in the Club World Cup on Thursday. The Argentine superstar found the top corner with a second half set-piece to clinch a surprise victory for the MLS side and give them a strong chance of progressing from Group A. Inter Miami and Palmeiras have four points each, after the Brazilian side beat Al Ahly 2-0 earlier on — the Egyptians like Porto have one point.
Marsaxlokk sign ex-Ħamrun, Hibernians goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Marsaxlokk have added another goalkeeper to their ranks in Pablo Sanchez. The 29-year-old goalkeeper joins at the back of his 19 appearances with Hibernians during the 2024/2025 campaign with whom he won the FA Trophy against Birkirkara. Sanchez is also a two-timer Premier League winner with Ħamrun Spartans. He played 8 matches during his time at the club. Last week, Marsaxlokk had signed another foreign goalkeeper in Christoffer Mafoumbi who spent the past season at Floriana.
Defender Deacon Abela becomes Gżira United latest signing

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Gżira United have made another signing after announcing the arrival of Deacon Abela, who plays as a defender. Abela, 20, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Maroons after spending the last two seasons at Swieqi United in the BOV Challenge League. Last season, he made 23 appearances with two goals for the Owls. He is a Valletta product and has represented Malta at U19s and U21s level.
Olympic champ Ingebrigtsen’s father acquitted of abusing son

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

A Norway court on Monday acquitted Gjert Ingebrigtsen of abusing his son, Olympic champion runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, but convicted him and handed him a 15-day suspended sentence for assaulting his daughter on one occasion. Gjert Ingebrigtsen, 59, acted as trainer until 2022 to Jakob, 24, who won Olympic golds in the 5,000m in Paris in 2024 and the 1,500m in Tokyo in 2021.
Maltese match officials appointed to take charge of Libya Premier League match in Benghazi

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Four Maltese officials were appointed to officiate a Libyan Premier League match in Benghazi last Sunday. Trustin Farrugia Cann served as the referee for the Qualification Playoff A, Round 8 fixture between Al Sadaqa and Al Nasr, which ended in a 1-1 draw. He was assisted by Roberto Vella, Duncan Sultan, and Malcolm Spiteri.
Merciless Bayern hit 10 against amateurs Auckland City at Club World Cup

1 week ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Bayern Munich showed no mercy to amateurs Auckland City at the Club World Cup on Sunday, beating the minnows from New Zealand 10-0 in their opening game as Jamal Musiala came off the bench to score a second-half hat-trick. Kingsley Coman, Michael Olise and Thomas Mueller all netted twice, while Sacha Boey was also on target for the German champions in the game in Group C, which also features Boca Juniors and Benfica.