Gianluca Lia

Sports Writer at Times of Malta

Match Analyst at Freelance

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Articles

Maltese referee Joanna Vassallo part of groundbreaking women’s World Sevens event

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

Maltese official Joanne Vassallo was recently in the coastal town of Estoril, Portugal, who played host to the inaugural edition of World Sevens Football (W7F), a new seven-a-side tournament that brought together some of Europe’s most renowned women’s clubs in a dynamic and fast-paced showcase of talent.
Malta women’s youth teams discover U17, U19 Euro qualifiers opponents

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

The draws for the first rounds of the 2025/2026 UEFA European Women’s U17 and U19 Championships were held on Thursday morning. In the U17 European qualifiers, Malta, placed in Pot 3 of the League B draw, has been drawn into Group B5 alongside Sweden and Lithuania. League A features 28 teams, including reigning champions Netherlands and the seven teams promoted from League B after Round 2 of the 2024/2025 edition.
Experimental Malta held by Andorra in final UEFA Nations League outing

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

ANDORRA 0MALTA 0ANDORRAA. Martin; M. Da Cruz, L. Sin (65 G. Lluch), P. Marques (72 Z. Planaguma), N. Rosas, C. Ber, E. Goncalves, T. Morato, M. Ruzafa (72 C. Lacour), L. Sole, A. Correia (65 E. Duro). MALTAJ. Xuereb (46 M. Cachia); R. Bajada, S. Farrugia, O. Grande, F. Buttigieg (69 Y. Carella), J. Barbara (69 C. Zammit), N. Sciberras (45 S. Zammit), R. Cuschieri, L. Farrugia (84 L. Ayres), K. Willis, M. Farrugia. Referee: Satu Miettunen (Finland FA). Yellow cards: Willis, Da Cruz, Sole.
Watch: Malta striker Haley Bugeja delivers as she closes in on scoring record

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

On a landmark evening for women’s football in Malta, Haley Bugeja stepped up when it mattered most – again. The 21-year-old forward scored the only goal of the game as Malta edged Cyprus 1-0 in front of a record crowd at the National Stadium, securing back-to-back promotions in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
Lithuania coach wary of Malta’s ‘big balls’ ahead of World Cup qualifier

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

Lithuania coach Edgaras Jankauskas has warned his players against underestimating the threat posed by Malta ahead of the two countries’ crucial World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Saturday. Both Lithuania and Malta are currently at the bottom of their qualifying group, which also includes heavyweights such as the Netherlands, Poland, and Finland.
Liverpool’s title-winning trio included in Dutch squad for Malta qualifier

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

Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch have been called up to the Netherlands national team for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins this week. Ronald Koeman’s side will host Malta at the Euroborg Stadium in Groningen on Tuesday, June 10, after opening their campaign against Finland on June 7 in Helsinki.
A last kick at Goodison Park: Maltese comedian Steve Hili’s unforgettable Everton moment

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

After 133 years of unforgettable football memories, Everton Football Club is closing a historic chapter. As of next season, the Toffees will begin a new era at the Everton Stadium—known commercially as the Hill Dickinson Stadium — leaving behind the hallowed grounds of Goodison Park. This transition marks an emotional moment for Evertonians worldwide. Goodison Park has stood witness to countless highs and lows throughout the club’s history.
Watch: Tesse, Sciberras lead the charge as Malta women returns to League B

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

Malta’s return to League B of the UEFA Women’s Nations League marks a significant milestone for the national team, promising new opportunities and challenges as they prepare for the upcoming European qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The journey ahead is pivotal, with the top three teams from League B advancing to the play-offs, positioning Malta just four games away from potentially qualifying for their first-ever Women’s World Cup.
Malta women beat Cyprus to win promotion to League B

1 week ago | timesofmalta.com | Gianluca Lia

MALTA 1Bugeja 42CYPRUS 0A record crowd for a women’s football match in Malta spurred the national team to a promotion to League B in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, for the second time. Manuela Tesse’s side needed a win to secure a return to Europe’s second tier with a game to spare – and they delivered in front of 1,205 fans at the National Stadium, in the first women’s national team match in two decades.
Record crowd witness Malta promotion’s to League B as Haley Bugeja floors Cyprus

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

MALTA 1Bugeja 42CYPRUS 0MALTAJ. Xuereb; E. Lipman, O. Grange, R. Cuschieri, K. Willis, M. Farrugia, M. Lucia, S. Zammit, E. Xuereb, N. Sciberras, H. Bugeja (90 L Ayres). CYPRUSM. Matthaiou; C. Charalambous (64 K. Adamou), C. Michael (75 A. Tsoukka), A. Cusick (88 A. Matsoukari), M. Panagiotou, F. Savva, A. Violari, E. Aristodimou (88 L. Chrysostomou), S. Papadopoulou, M. Georgiou, M. Constantinou (75 E. Siakalli). Referee: Sabina Bolic (Croatia FA). Yellow cards: Lucia, Bugeja.