Maltese Abroad: Bugeja’s Sassuolo keep Europe hopes alive, Gambin’s Newport secure play-off berth

ITALY

Haley Bugeja featured in Sassuolo’s narrow 1-0 victory over Serie A Femminile strugglers Pink Bari to keep their UEFA Women’s Champions League hopes alive.

The Neroverde will face Milan in their upcoming top-flight meeting, in a fixture that may determine Italy’s second participant in next season’s Champions League.

Malta women duo Emma Lipman and Rachel Cuschieri have won Serie A promotion after Lazio claimed the Rome derby, following a 2-1 win over Roma Calcio Femminile.

With two games remaining in the Serie B campaign, Lazio sit second on 47 points – two behind leaders Pomigliano Calcio.

Martina Borg and her Sassari Torres side have taken control of their fate after beating promotion rivals Arezzo 3-1, to take top spot in Serie C – Girone C.

Malta women’s international defender Nicole Sciberras played a part in Juventus U-19’s opening win in the U-19’s Serie A play-offs.

The Bianconere travelled to Napoli as they faced the Partenopei in the first leg of the quarter-finals, winning 6-1 thanks to goals from Chiara Beccari twice, Elisa Pfattner twice, Michela Giordano and Nicole Arcangeli.

On the other side, Kailey Willis was on the losing side as Hellas Verona lost 2-1 against Florentia San Gimignano on home soil.

Nonetheless, it was a memorable afternoon for the Maltese player as she scored Verona’s goal, giving her side a lifeline ahead of next week’s second leg.

ENGLAND

Luke Gambin (picture) was an unused sub in Newport County’s 1-1 draw against Southend United on the final day of their League Two campaign.

The stalemate enabled Gambin’s team to finish fifth and a secure a play-off berth where they will face Forest Green Rovers in the semi-finals, with the first leg scheduled for May 18.

Christa Chetcuti Ganado scored in Leicester City U-14’s girls team as they defeated Derby County 6-3 in a friendly.

Meanwhile, Maria Farrugia‘s Sunderland Ladies have applied to play in the FA Women’s Championship next season.

In the past two seasons, Farrugia and her side were denied promotion after the third-tier was voided for straight years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

PORTUGAL

Zach Muscat was a starter for Casa Pia in their 2-1 defeat against Arouca, who are chasing promotion to Portugal’s top-tier.