Gianluca Lia

Sports Writer at Times of Malta

Match Analyst at Freelance

Sports Writer @TomSportsDesk. Women's Football @MaltaFA1900. Freelance Match Analyst.

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Articles

Juventus Club Vero Amore celebrates 50 years with star-studded event

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

Juventus Club Vero Amore, the first official Juventus supporters club in Malta, is celebrating its remarkable 50th anniversary this week with a special programme that will culminate in the visit of four iconic former Juventus players — Moreno Torricelli, Angelo Di Livio, Alessandro Birindelli, and Nicola Legrottaglie. The club, which is the second-oldest official Juventus supporters club in the world, is marking this golden milestone with a series of events for its almost 600 members.
Emma Lipman, Rachel Cuschieri promoted to Serie A with Genoa Women

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

Malta internationals Emma Lipman and Rachel Cuschieri have helped Genoa Women to secure a historic Serie A promotion. For Genoa, this will be their first-ever top-flight championship in the women’s game. On the other hand, this is the second time that Lipman and Cuschieri were in the same promoted team having helped Lazio win the Serie B title in 2021. In addition, Lipman was also part of the Como side that sealed a historic Serie A promotion in 2022.
Watch: There were times I lost faith in winning title, says Portelli after Spartans’ league triumph

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

Ħamrun Spartans have cemented their legacy in Maltese football history by clinching the inaugural edition of the Maltese championship powered by 360 Sport Premier. The Spartans dramatically secured their 11th title, defeating Birkirkara 1-0 in a tense final after a thrilling journey that included a penalty shootout victory over Floriana in the semi-finals.
Watch: Haley Bugeja scores Inter’s winning goal against Juventus at Allianz Stadium

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

Haley Bugeja scored the winning goal for Inter as they spoiled Juventus’ title party at the Allianz Stadium, home of the Bianconeri’s men’s team. The Malta forward came off the bench early in the second half and found the net for the Nerazzurre with a brilliant shot from close-range. This was Bugeja’s first goal of this season’s Serie A, on the final day of the campaign.
Watch: Maria Farrugia nominated for England’s second-tier best player, goal of the season awards

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

Maria Farrugia has received two nominations in the end of season Women’s Professional Game Awards. The Malta international has been nominated for the Barclays Women’s Championship Player of the Season.
Watch: Sensational Magnus Carlsen stuns with blindfold chess skills against local champ

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

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen wowed the crowd at the NEXT Summit when he defeated Malta’s chess champion Colin Pace despite playing blindfolded in an exhibition match at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Five-time world champion Carlsen, who is also a BETBY ambassador, was the special guest during the conference, where he hosted a keynote session during which he shared his insights on strategy, competition, and the parallels between chess and iGaming.
Magnus Carlsen stuns with blindfold chess skills against Malta champion

1 week ago | timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

Five-time world chess champion Magnus Carlsen wowed the crowd at the NEXT Summit when he defeated Malta’s chess champion Colin Pace despite playing blindfolded in an exhibition match at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Five-time world champion Carlsen, who is also a BETBY ambassador, was the special guest during the conference, where he hosted a keynote session during which he shared his insights on strategy, competition, and the parallels between chess and iGaming.
Balzan relegated, Naxxar face Melita in play-off

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

Balzan’s 14-year spell in the Maltese Premier League came to an end after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Naxxar Lions on the final day of the Bottom Six round. Despite needing a win to secure a relegation play-off against Melita, Balzan fell short, sealing their relegation to the Challenge League. Winners of the FA Trophy in 2018/2019, Balzan were under immense pressure heading into this fixture, knowing that only three points would keep their top-flight hopes alive.
Mġarr United win their first-ever women’s football trophy

2 weeks ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

HIBERNIANS 0-2 MĠARR UNITEDMaria Hernandez 6, Valeria Villegas 45HIBERNIANS: E. Harrington; N. Geren, A. Galea, J. Dimech (54 G. Mifsud), K. Chetcuti (79 N. Celeste), M. Borg, Y. Attard (52 L. Ayres), N. Sciberras, I. Farrugia, A. Espitia, Joelma. MĠARR UNITED: G. D’Antuono; A. Said, A. Camilleri, Y. Carella, L. Cefai, V. Villegas, Y. Mendez, M. Hernandez (79 M. Debono), R. Bajada, A. Villegas, A. Grech. Referee: Rapjan Xhyra.
Hibs seek redemption, Mġarr chase history in women’s KO final

2 weeks ago | sport.timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

A new chapter in Maltese women’s football will be written this Thursday as Hibernians and Mġarr United clash in the final of the Assikura Women’s Knock-Out at the Centenary Stadium. Kick-off is set for 4pm, following a recent time change. For Hibernians, this marks a third consecutive final appearance. After back-to-back defeats against Swieqi United and Birkirkara, the Paolites are determined to end their cup drought – their last cup success was in 2015/2016.