Malta chosen due to 'massive' interest in sport

The traditional passion felt by local fans of the England and Italy football teams is expected to be re-ignited when some of the two countries' football legends - and a few celebrities - take to the pitch in Ta' Qali on November 1.

England is vowing to get its revenge on Italy, which won the last similar match between them held in Florence in 2004.

"We wanted a rematch, but in a different country," Lester Holcombe, who is getting the English legends together, said. The Brits seem adamant to score a victory over the Italian team during the Malta Music Festival.

Malta, he continued during a press conference, sounded like the ideal place, considering the "massive" interest in sport here. Some friendly rivalry could already be felt yesterday between Mr Holcombe and his Italian counterpart Giorgio Ranieri.

Retired English football player Lee Sharpe is banking on the passion of Maltese fans to make the match interesting, he said yesterday. He will be playing alongside the likes of Paul Gascoigne, David Platz, Des Walker, David Seaman, Paul Ince and Les Ferdinand. The rest of the team is being kept under wraps for the time being.

The Italians will be fielding their own masters, including former striker Totò Schillaci, Pietro Vierchowod, Beppe Signori and Lorenzo Amaruzzo. Team goalkeeper Andrea Pazzagli, who was also present yesterday, said these matches start as a bit of fun, but soon become real games, with the teams battling to win.

In a video message some of the players urged people to attend the match, promising that a good time will be had by all.

Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti is expected to get down on the pitch as part of the Italian team.

The match will be followed by a dinner for some 2,000 people who will get the chance to have a chat with the players and support a charitable organisation that is still to be decided. Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech, an ardent England supporter, said the game will surely be a very passionate affair, and would even promote Malta abroad.

On November 2, for the Malta Music Festival, pop giants Simply Red will wow the audience during a concert at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta' Qali. An avid football fan, Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall is promising a "fantastic concert", festival logistics manager Mark Tusker said.

An "interesting" choice of support bands will be announced in the future, he said.