HIBERNIANS 0
INTER 12
Detruyer 20; Bugeja 23 pen., 42, 43
Tomasevic 26; Magull 31
Bartoli 40; Polli 53, 82; Tomaselli 69
Glionna 77; Csiszar 80
HIBERNIANS
M. Cachia; N. Geren, J. Dimech, A. Catania, C. Schechinger, G. Mifsud, N. Sciberras, O. Nazarko, K. Chetcuti, S. Kabene, S. Vella Barberi.
Substitutes used: C. Zulu, L. Ayres, F. Bartolo, A. Galea, N. Celeste, Y. Attard, I. Farrugia, M. Muscat, A. Ghio.
INTER
E. Belli; C. Pleidrup, H. Bugeja, L. Magull, N. Van Dijk, C. Robustellini, M. Tomasevic, M. Detruyer, O. Schough, E. Bartoli, L. Consolini.
Substitutes used: I. Andres, S. Verrini, H. Csiszar, E. Polli, B. Glionna, I. Santi. T. Wullaert. M. Tomaselli, G. Ferraro.
Referee: Emanuel Grech.
Inter Women wrapped up their Malta training camp with an emphatic friendly victory over Hibernians, delivering a dominant first-half display against the Assikura Women’s League representatives.
As expected, the Italian side – firmly among the Serie A Femminile title challengers – controlled proceedings throughout, with head coach Gianpiero Piovani rotating his squad extensively as Inter fine-tuned preparations ahead of their return to domestic action.
Their next fixture will be a significant one, with a high-profile clash against reigning champions Juventus looming.
For Hibernians, the encounter provided a valuable opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition. However, the match underlined the current gap between Maltese and Italian club football, even if Serie A Femminile is not yet regarded among Europe’s very top leagues.
Hibernians coach Martina Borg handed a start to youngster Amy Catania, who earlier this season underwent a trial with Inter, while Nicole Sciberras captained the side. Uganda international Sylvia Kabene led the line and was Hibernians’ main attacking outlet.
Inter, meanwhile, entrusted the captain’s armband to Haley Bugeja on home soil, drawing loud cheers from the crowd during the team announcement.
Germany international Lina Magull also featured from the start in an advanced role.
Despite fielding several fringe players, Piovani’s line-up still included established internationals such as Italy’s Elisa Bartoli and Sweden’s Olivia Schough.
Inter immediately asserted their superiority, with Bugeja heading over the bar from close range early on. Marie Detruyer then struck the woodwork before Chiara Robustellini forced goalkeeper Maya Cachia into a sharp save.
The breakthrough arrived after 15 minutes, when Detruyer capitalised on a cut-back to open the scoring.
Hibernians responded with a rare moment of encouragement as Kabene used her pace to beat Caroline Pleidrup, only to send her effort wide amid loud applause from the home support.
Inter doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute, Bugeja converting from the penalty spot after Catania brought down Magull inside the area.
Moments later, the Italian side extended their lead further through Masa Tomasevic.
Kabene continued to trouble Inter’s backline with her speed, twice getting the better of Pleidrup, but without finding the net.
Inter, by contrast, were clinical, adding another goal through Magull from close range.
The pressure remained relentless, with Cachia producing several important saves to keep the scoreline in check. Bartoli eventually made it 5-0 five minutes before half-time, heading home from a corner.
Hibernians managed another effort through Sarah Vella Barberi, who attempted a lob that sailed over the bar, but Inter closed the half strongly.
Bugeja struck from the edge of the area before netting again a minute later to complete a personal hat-trick in front of her home crowd.
At the restart, both sides made a series of changes, with Inter continuing to showcase their squad depth by introducing players of considerable pedigree.
Former Real Madrid defender Ivana Andrés was brought on, alongside Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer across both the men’s and women’s national teams, while Italy internationals Benedetta Glionna and Elisa Polli were also deployed.
Just past the hour mark, Bugeja was withdrawn to warm applause from the Maltese crowd, bringing an end to an impressive home-soil outing for the Inter captain.
Inter maintained territorial dominance and continued to probe for openings, although the tempo naturally dipped and the Italian side showed less sharpness in the final third as the half progressed.
Former Juventus forward Glionna eventually added a tenth goal for Inter, further underlining the gulf between the two sides. The scoring then accelerated once more, with Henrietta Csiszár and Polli finding the net in quick succession to push the scoreline to 12-0.
