Watch: ‘We showed that Maltese clubs can qualify to group stages of European competitions’ – Bonello

At 36 years of age, Henry Bonello continues to prove why he is regarded as one of Malta’s finest goalkeepers.

Commanding, experienced, and unfazed by pressure, Bonello has been a cornerstone of Ħamrun Spartans’ remarkable European run that culminated in their historic qualification to the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League.

A seven-time Premier League winner and capped 67 times for Malta, Bonello has already achieved more than most local players could ever dream of.

Yet, his latest milestone, finally playing European group stage football, may be the most special of them all.

Far from showing signs of decline, Bonello has been as sharp as ever in this early part of the new 2025-26 season.

His authority inside the box have been critical both for club and country.

In Ħamrun’s qualifying campaign, he made crucial saves at key moments, often the difference between qualification and elimination.

On Thursday night in Riga, Bonello again stood tall. While Ħamrun’s attack provided the goals in a dramatic 2-2 draw with RFS, it was Bonello’s few, but key interventions that kept the Spartans alive and on course for history.

As the final whistle blew, the travelling supporters chanted his name, acknowledging that they had witnessed yet another masterclass from their veteran goalkeeper.

“It goes without saying that this is historic for Ħamrun and Maltese football,” Bonello said after the match.

“However, more than that, it brings a new perspective, that Maltese teams can now aim to qualify, and not just dream.

“I play football for these moments.

“You cannot describe these moments. I am ambitious as a player; otherwise, I would not have won seven top-flight titles. But obviously, we did something that we usually thought was not possible.”

Now, with Ħamrun Spartans preparing to face Shakhtar Donetsk, the 2009 UEFA Cup winners, along with Shamrock Rovers, Jagiellonia, Lincoln Red Imps, Samsunspor, and Lausanne, Bonello will have the chance to test himself against some of Europe’s more renowned clubs.

For Bonello, though, the achievement is bigger than himself or his club. He sees Ħamrun’s qualification as a landmark moment for Maltese football as a whole.

“Now we showed that this is possible,” he said.

“We opened the path to other clubs as well, who can invest more, and we keep having the Maltese flag in these competitions.

“We were used to watching these matches on TV. Finally, now that I am in the latter stages of my career, I can live this dream too.”

Bonello has also praised the team’s collective effort, especially under new coach Giacomo Modica. The Italian tactician, a disciple of Zdenek Zeman, has brought an attacking philosophy to the Spartans. That transition, however, required adaptation.

During the qualifiers, Modica’s side displayed impressive consistency but also suffered moments of frustration. The tie against Maccabi Tel-Aviv remains a particular regret.

“Despite the pedigree of some clubs we faced, we were so close to upsetting them,” Bonello recalled.

If Ħamrun had qualified against the Israelis, they would have moved to the play-offs of the Europa League and secured Conference League group stages with a round to spare.

That narrow exit showed both the progress made by Ħamrun and the fine margins of European football.

“I believe that throughout this European campaign, we played really some great football even against teams that are of high profile,” Bonello said.

“I think what we lacked though, is that we did not finished off our chances and capitalise on them, and those chances came back to haunt us.”

For the Malta goalkeeper, leading Ħamrun Spartans into European group stage football is not only a personal triumph but also a legacy moment for local football.

With six matches guaranteed in the Conference League, Bonello will stand between the posts against some of Europe’s most competitive sides, a fulfilment of a career-long ambition.