Malta U-19’s to meet giants Portugal, Germany in friendly tournament

The Malta U-19’s national team will be stepping up their preparations for next summer’s European Championships as they will face three high-profile sides in a friendly tournament on our shores.

Coached by Toze Mendes, Malta will be hosting Portugal, Germany and Poland in the coming days.

Malta will be hosting the U-19’s European Championships between July 3-July 16, with several heavyweights expected to grace the Maltese fields during that period.

Formerly of Valletta, coach Mendes will be looking to gauge the progress of his side against three nations that are on course to qualify for the tournament.

Portugal, who were given a bye to the Elite round in these qualifications, will be bringing the best of their youth talent including Benfica’s Hugo Felix – brother of Atletico Madrid Joao Felix, who is currently with Portugal in the Qatari World Cup.

Meanwhile, Germany have also named their best players including a host of who are affiliated with Bundesliga sides such as Hoffenheim, Hertha Berlin, Union Berlin, Schalke 04 and also Premier League’s Liverpool. They have topped their first round qualifying group and are through to the Elite round.

Poland, on their part, impressed in their first round of the qualifications after topping their group which included Italy as well. They qualified twice to the U-19’s European qualifications.

MALTA’S SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Karl Sargent (Birkirkara FC), Luca Camilleri (Mosta FC).

DEFENDERS
Jake Vassallo (Mosta FC), Ivin Farrugia (Pieta Hotspurs FC), Deacon Abela (Valletta FC), Jake Micallef (Boavista), Matthias Ellul (Luxol St Andrews FC), Matthias Ellul (Luxol St Andrews FC), Braden Flannery (UNLV)

MIDFIELDERS
Alex Spiteri (Loughborough FC), Matteo Gambin (Birkirkara FC), Benjamin Hili (Balzan FC), Lucas Scicluna (Wolverhamptom Wanderers), Andy Borg (Gzira FC), Lucas Caruana (Sampdoria), Jake Grech (Balzan FC), Giuseppe Bonanno (Balzan FC).

FORWARDS
Shaisen Attard (Hamrun Spartans FC), Zak Barbara (Valletta FC), Brookly Borg (Gzira United FC), Kian Leonardi (Pieta Hotspurs FC), Alfie Bridgman (Portsmouth FC), Isaiah Micallef (Valletta FC).

MALTA’S GAMES

• Wednesday – Malta vs Portugal – National Stadium (18:00).
• Saturday – Malta vs Germany – Gozo Stadium (12:30).
• Tuesday, November 29 – Poland vs Malta – National Stadium (12:30).