Ħamrun Spartans chief executive officer Marcel Bonnici has sent a rallying cry to his players as the Malta champions can become trailblazers of Maltese football when they face Latvian side FC RFS in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League Play Off round at the LNK Sporta Parks in Riga.
The Spartans need to protect their 1-0 win from last week’s opening leg to become the first Maltese team to reach the League Phase of a UEFA club competition.
When Joseph Portelli took over the reins of Ħamrun Spartans, he had made no secret of his ambition to help the 11-time Maltese champions qualify for the group stages of a UEFA club competition.
Initially, such comments were dismissed as far-fetched and unrealistic for a Maltese club, but six years later, the Spartans are on the verge of fulfilling this dream.
Bonnici told the Times of Malta that while many ridiculed such a vision, however, he believed that the club could attain such a prestigious goal if the club implemented a long-term strategy.
“This may have been the president’s biggest dream since taking over Ħamrun Spartans,” Bonnici said.
“Sometimes we think that there are shortcuts to success, or that success comes immediately. But in reality, there is only one way for success… clear objectives and no hesitations on the decisions that will lead you to success….
“We have to be straightforward when identifying problems, look into the eyes of people, and make decisions as tough as these may be.
“I never look into faces; I always point my direction towards the objective to reach it. it may cost you a lack of popularity… but I prefer to reach the goals and not be popular than the other way round.
“One of the biggest changes in the choice of strategy was the kind of profile we looked at when appointing a head coach. We realised that we didn’t need a coach to just adopt his tactical ideas, but the right man had to be someone who could implement a football philosophy on which we could build a football project.
“For us, winning the league championship is not the primary goal; it’s our minimum objective, as our primary aim has always been success in UEFA club competitions.”
Bonnici explained that the first step the Spartans took towards reaping success in Europe was a complete revamp of the administrative structure of the club.
“Right from the start, I decided to make a complete revamp of the club’s structure,” Bonnici said.
“We wanted to adopt a flexible system that no longer rested on the club’s committee, but to effect a transformation that saw us create a managerial structure, split into three foundations – administration, club operations, and technical setup.
“This structure is primarily run by volunteers, so it takes time to make it function fully immediately. But as time passes, it becomes more self-sufficient and reliable.”
Bonnici maintains that the choice of Giacomo Modica as first-team coach was a crucial factor in moving closer to fulfilling their European ambition.
“I really hope that Giacomo Modica will be a success, as his football philosophy will change Maltese football,” Bonnici said.
“We didn’t just bring in a coach, but someone who represents a football philosophy.
“His football philosophy is based on three pillars – physical fitness, discipline and respect. Having a high level of physical fitness will help you to choose the style of play you want to adopt.
“He is a disciple of Zdenek Zeman, having worked with him for several years. Zeman’s football philosophy is the antithesis of what Pep Guardiola implemented at Barcelona and Manchester City.
“Modica is trying to implement a style of football that sees the team pushing the ball forward with the least touches possible so that the opponents will have no time to build a defensive line. It’s a style of football based on physical fitness and high pressing.
“In Malta we have always look at bringing professional coaches that focus on tactics but in reality, even if we invest millions of euros we will never be able to match the technical skills of teams like Barcelona and Manchester City.
“On the other hand, if you invest in your players’ fitness you can manage to match the physical intensity of top teams and Modica’s stance is to play attacking football and try and score one goal more than our opponents.”
Bonnici believes that should Ħamrun Spartans fulfil their dream of reaching the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League, it would certainly be a game-changer for Maltese football.
“No club in Malta has been so close like Ħamrun Spartans to reach this historical feat,” Bonnici said.
“Reaching such a prestigious objective will have a game-changing effect not just for Ħamrun Spartans but also for Maltese football in general. It will completely change the way other countries look at Maltese football.
“If we qualify for the League Phase of the Conference League, it will make it easier for us to recruit players of higher quality, as you can more easily sell our project, as we will start to form part of elite clubs on the continent.
“At present, you need to overpay top players to come and play in Malta. If we qualify, we can invite them to be part of another dream run in Europe.”
Bonnici also added that if Ħamrun Spartans reach the League Phase of the Conference League it would inevitably elevate Maltese football in general.
“All the other clubs will have no other option but to try and reach a higher level of administration as well as performance,” Bonnici said.
“Our qualification will give the other Premier League clubs a significantly higher share of UEFA Solidarity funds that can be reinvested in the structure of all 12 teams in the Maltese top flight.
“This is a huge moment in the history of Maltese football that can yield a completely change of mindset of how clubs operate in Malta.”
Author
Charles Vassallo
August 28, 2025 at 3:48 pm
I wish the Spartans the very best! A bit worrying however is their rear guard, prone to defensive blunders. Go on Spartans, it’s your night and please prove me wrong.