Sliema host Hajduks at the Stadium

This week's photograph is very typical of the 1920's.

It shows the combined teams of Sliema Wanderers and SK Hajduks in the opening match of the 1925 tourney at the old Empire Sports Ground in Gzira.

Photography was still a novelty in those days. Equipment was rudimentary but photographers like Chretien and Ellis, of Valletta, were masters of their craft and they left behind a treasure-trove of old prints which do credit to their skills and art as photographers.

It is a pity that I only acquired a copy and not the original of this photograph which, unfortunately, im-pedes us from fully appreciating the excellence of the original. This photograph is important because it is probably the first one ever taken of an overseas team in Malta.

Hajduks and Sliema Wanderers met each other on Saturday, March 28, 1925 in the presence of a large and enthusiastic crowd of spectators in the first match of the tourney.

When Hajduks first came to Malta their reputation preceded them. The Maltese, despite the unusual high price of the tickets, dug deep into their pockets to see the great team from Yugoslavia in action.

Hajduks did not disappoint the connoisseurs of the local game who were impressed with their admirable short passing game.

Used as they were to the robust English type of game, full of tackling and charging, the Maltese were enthralled by the way the Yugoslavs made the ball do all the work without, it seemed, wasting a single ounce of energy.

The first half of the game was very clean and fast. The visitors kept the ball moving from man to man but they were not that effective. In fact, in the first half hour they only tested Joe Nicholl, in the Sliema goal, once.

During the next quarter of an hour, however, they gave him plenty to do. Yet, he still managed to keep the score-sheet blank until the half-time whistle.

In the second period, the Blues came more into the picture. Ten minutes into the half, a neat combination between Karmenu Inglott and Roger Strickland paved the way for Frankie Busuttil to open the score for the Wanderers.

Soon afterwards Sliema won a corner. The ball was directed dangerously into the visitors' penalty area but goalkeeper Gazzara was well-placed to intercept.

The ball was cleared forward. Sliema were caught on the wrong foot. The defence panicked and a Hajduks player was unceremoniously grounded in the box. It was a clear-cut penalty and Hajduks took full advantage of it.

With the score level at 1-1 both teams tried their utmost to break the deadlock but no further goals were scored by the time the referee had sounded the final whistle.

After the match, the committee and players of Sliema Wanderers held a reception at the Juventus Domus Hall in Sliema in honour of the visitors.

Hajduks were given a warm welcome by all those present at the hall. Tea and other refreshments were served as Sliema's president, Major Frendo Azzopardi, welcomed the guests of honour.

Major Frendo Azzopardi paid homage to the great skills of the continental team and emphasised the fact that they had fully lived up to their high reputation.

The function, surely not the first of its kind, was a great success and it highlighted the great cordiality and true sporting spirit which reigned in football in those far off, but never forgotten, days of the golden 1920s.

For the record

March 28, 1925 - The Empire Sports Ground, Gzira
Opening match of the SK Hajduks tourney in Malta
Sliema Wanderers vs SK Hajduks (Yugoslavia) 1-1

Sliema Wanderers: J. Nicholl, J. Fearne, Hartley, C. Psaila, A. Caunter, Sevasta, K. Inglott, R. Strickland, F. Busuttil, E. Conti, Calleja.

SK Hajduks: Gazzara, Rodin, Dujmovic, Kesic, Kurir, Podujc II, Podujc I, Bencic, Bonacic I, Bonacic II, Radic.