Maltese couple divided by the beautiful rivalry
Jeffrey Muscat and Letizia Grech have been dating for nine years, but they are not sure they can handle being together for tonight’s England vs Italy grudge match.
“That is a big dilemma as we want to watch it together so we can tease each other, but on the other hand we could end up arguing,” said Italy fan Mr Muscat.
Like most of the country, the usually happy couple will be glued to the TV tonight as local favourites England and Italy lock horns in the Euro 2012 quarter-final.
But as they will be rooting for different teams, it means one of them will end the evening disappointed.
“It will take a few days to cool off if England lose, maybe even longer because I know he will tease me for a long time,” Ms Grech said.
“I’m looking forward to having another two years of teasing her about the loss,” Mr Muscat chipped in.
But Mr Muscat has a dirty secret – he used to support England.
“It’s true – I was raised supporting England due to my late nannu’s brainwashing but when I saw Italy beat England in the 1990 World Cup I changed sides... thank God!
“I grew up watching Italian television and that, together with spending holidays there, influenced me a lot. Now I love anything Italian: the lifestyle, fashion, food, weather... you name it.”
Ms Grech’s choice of team was also influenced by her grandfather, but she stayed loyal to England.
“I grew up watching games with my nannu and I still do. He used to explain everything and it just made me fall in love with the England football team.”
Unlike her boyfriend, however, Ms Grech’s blind devotion does not extend beyond football.
“I like both countries equally. I like to go to England for a holiday as much as I like going to Italy, and I work with Italians,” she said.
So if their team loses tonight, will they support their partner’s team for the rest of the tournament?
“I will be neutral if England are knocked out,” said Ms Grech.
Her boyfriend was less diplomatic: “Absolutely not,I’d support Cambodia ahead of England!”
Similar sentiments were shared by Nadja Chetcuti, who sides with England despite her boyfriend Joe Debono being an avid Azzuri fan.
“I wouldn’t be able to cheer for Italy even if England go out. I hate the way the Italians play – they’re always falling over,” she said.
Ms Chetcuti and Mr Debono plan to watch the game in the same band club – though they will be sitting at different tables.
Their families are also England and Italy fanatics, which leads to lots of teasing but nothing more serious.
“Whoever loses tonight will have to put up with some jokes but we would never have a serious argument over football,” Ms Chetcuti said – though her boyfriend seemed less sure.
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51 Comments
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Alexandra MalliaBorg
Jun 25th 2012, 11:15
Don't me to be funny Jeffry, but now that Italy has won as i predicted and was correct, i would suggest u get yourslf a partner then is also an italy support (not England please thats disgusting) and YOU SHOULD ALL LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER -----AMEN. and i mean that in the best possibly wat. Viva italia. England emmmmmm U know where the door is. (LOL)
Roberta Debono
Jun 25th 2012, 11:43
HaHahaaaaaa Yeah i like it Alexandra, specially about you know where the door is, or better still show england the door, oh there it is only a few kilometers away, AirMalta will take you right to the your door. LOL.
Kyle Podesta
Jun 25th 2012, 14:28
Switching sides? Bla sense..It just shows you are not a true fan...Hope your girlfriend leaves you for a true English Supporter...England till I die....win loose or draw.
Martin Webster
Jun 25th 2012, 09:55
switching sides = footballing adultery
J. Pace
Jun 24th 2012, 23:53
u ija, dawn almenu jiggieldu darba kull sentejn. Jien niggieled minimum darbtejn fis sena - Real Madrid u Barcellona...Two seasons ilu laghbu 8 darbiet tistaw timmaginaw x'martirju...:) :)
Hu x'inhu huwa sport, so trid tehoda kif tigi...L'aqwa li ma jkunx hemm esagerazzjoni...
Ms maria bonnici
Jun 24th 2012, 20:49
stupitdity............................
Joe Fenech
Jun 24th 2012, 19:21
Pathetic !
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jun 24th 2012, 19:19
I'm just sayin...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151841465495587&set=p.10151841465495587&type=1&theater
Andrea Valle
Jun 24th 2012, 18:50
I live in Sliema. I support Italy: witch Is the club/bar good for me? I would like to see the match in a good place.
Henry S Pace
Jun 24th 2012, 17:43
; Maltese couple divided by the beautiful rivalry '
A folly and madness. We are Maltese and I hate to see flags of other countries being flown and displayed on our houses.
A good nmber of maltese people e ven fail to sing the Maltese National Anthem.
stephen koludrovic
Jun 24th 2012, 19:16
Half the German football team did not sing the German anthem as well.,so figure.
iain milroy
Jun 24th 2012, 19:59
England does not have a National Anthem they sing the British one..
Roberta Debono
Jun 25th 2012, 12:35
Yers and the worst offenders are the British or the English with their union Jack flying high on our island as if they blooming well own the place. i have even seen drapes outside balconies near lidl in San Gwann. how pathetic can thes Brits get. Should be replace with the Maltese red & White flag, after all this is Malta or not? agree.
Stephen Magri
Jun 24th 2012, 17:40
hehe i support England and my wife supports Italy. The strict order of my little kommandant was that the English flag will not be put hanging on the balcony unless the Italian flag is there too :) ... we never argue on football. We have enough problems with life struggles I suppose. Although a tease or two would help us have a couple of laughs why not :)
Jeff Muscat
Jun 24th 2012, 16:11
This is not lack of respect for our national flag..this is football and there is no need for wannabe patriots to prove their point as we too wave our flag when malta is competing so please guys..just enjoy the game!
stephen koludrovic
Jun 24th 2012, 19:18
quite agree, stop this crap and enjoy the game.
Emmanuel Ebejer
Jun 24th 2012, 15:51
This `is ridiculous! I love watching football, but....please! Oh for a national power cut tonight!...lol!!!
Mariella Caruana
Jun 24th 2012, 15:29
I find no problem with supporting a foreign team. The Maltese aspire to greatness so they want to participate in other nation's grand moments ie it's not at all unpatriotic.
Mark Seychell
Jun 24th 2012, 16:11
the 'unpatriotism' begins when, say, England (or Italy, or whoever) play Malta, and these people don't support Malta. And there are many such creatures living among us.
Reuben D. Spiteri
Jun 24th 2012, 19:17
@Mark Seychell
First let the Maltese team be something better than a third-rate team and then MAYBE I'll support our national team. So far the NATIONAL team (which sports Malta's BEST(?) talent) couldn't win against an Italian Serie A football club whilst being given a handicap!
I cringe every time I see a clip of Maltese football.
Cecil Herbert Jones
Jun 24th 2012, 15:10
"Maltese couple divided by the beautiful rivalry"
It should read...."Beautiful Maltese couple divided by rivalry!"
stephen koludrovic
Jun 24th 2012, 19:22
I prefer your version. much nicer.
Lucienne Dimech
Jun 24th 2012, 14:25
My husband and myself too side with England and Italy respectively. I still believe that at the end of the day it's just a game . So my advice is enjoy the game in each other's company because the game will end but neithe of the teams gives you anything at the end. God luck To both Italy and England may the best team win I wish it's England though fingers crossed . No nonsense please be sporty and respect each other
Mark Anthony Fenech
Jun 24th 2012, 14:14
The England vs Italy is an old thing, harking back to the "Kwistjoni tal-Lingwa" and culture clashes between those rooting for Italy and those rooting for the British Empire. Its origins are political/ideological in nature. In time it found its way to football.
Mark Anthony Fenech
Jun 24th 2012, 13:48
What a friend of mine said:
In other news, the turtle at Ġnejna is frantically trying to recover its eggs because it doesn't want her babies to live in this country anymore.
David Robinson
Jun 24th 2012, 16:10
Good one!
Mark Seychell
Jun 24th 2012, 13:42
pathetic.
Lucienne Dimech
Jun 24th 2012, 16:19
What else can we do in this sweltering heat on this piece of rock ? Pathetic maybe but then what's wrong?
Mark Seychell
Jun 24th 2012, 19:57
pathetic that these two individuals even consider arguing because of a football game. Sport has the power to bring the world together, but instead look where it brings us.
Roberta Debono
Jun 25th 2012, 13:44
Well yes very pathetic but thas the british arrogance for you Mark, Malta is a free country and we have the freedom of speach and i do not mind saying that i dislike them right up to the Queen and all those that sail in her.
Mark Anthony Fenech
Jun 24th 2012, 13:42
Um... yeah.
donald borg
Jun 24th 2012, 13:13
I enjoy watching football for the sake of the game and I am always happy that the best team wins.I watch football as best entertainment and not with the intention to quarrel with other people.Everyone has the right to side with a team but no one has the right to foment silly arguments. Well thats life u CWIEC jezistu fid dinja.
Jeff Mead
Jun 24th 2012, 13:12
What a load of Maltese bollocks, if they were me if this sort don't give me the boot, i 'll give her the boot instead, you know what they say>>>
Alexandra MalliaBorg
Jun 25th 2012, 10:23
You would say tht wouldn't you after all you are or sound very pommish to me English to the layman, to you Brit. unless it origninate from England,its foreign in this case Maltesers as they call us or sometimes at my works in London Black'eds.
M Cachia
Jun 24th 2012, 12:24
How patriotic....
Mark Spiteri
Jun 24th 2012, 11:56
Lanqas jisthu jxejjru bandiera ta pajjiz iehor.... boloh
Tonio Bone
Jun 24th 2012, 11:37
The dualism syndrome in Malta continue to prevail! You have to be Labour or PN, mal-Inglizi jew mat-Taljani, ma San Pawl jew ma San Duminku ecc, ecc. That is how we are brought up I suppose......!
@ Tim Vella! Dude nothing to do with no supporting the Maltese national team. It's not like Italy or England are playing against Malta!!!!! Furthermore, the Maltese do not do so well because the population is what it is so the possibility of raw talent emerging is limited. Also, you need to follow the Icelandic model where ALL national team players (I believe) play in major leagues such as the Premier League and the Bundesliga: that is where you nurture your talent. That is where you become a complete professional. Playing mickey-mouse football in Malta will not enhance our chances and support has nothing to do with the national teams lack of growth in international football.
Alfred Falzon
Jun 24th 2012, 11:36
A NATION or a BANANA REPUBLIC?
Divided over what...?
Aren't they both Maltese?!
Is this a nation or a Banana Republic, with some of its inhabitants squabbling over petty differences, more so when it is a question of foreign football teams?!
Those who have a favourite team over and above their national one - MALTA - have a right to express their joy if their bet carries the day, but they have ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT to turn the rest of Malta into a laughing stock with their mad antics and boisterous foreign flag-bearing carcades through our main towns and villages!
I have as yet to see British or for that matter Italian nationals parading with our NATIONAL FLAG through their towns making a nuisance of themselves among their fellow citizens!!
When is Malta's identity to become a reality (with apologies to patriots Mikiel-Anton Vassalli, Oliver Friggieri et al)?!
I, for one, feel disgusted with such grotesque antics, buffoonery and servilism!
Alfred A. Falzon
J. Debono
Jun 24th 2012, 15:05
This is what makes football interesting.
The way Malta is divided between these two teams, is fantastic.
Imagine in Italy - everyone supports Italy - obviously.
In Malta the competition, the teasing, the arguments - this is interesting, this is what makes football interesting to watch!!!
Why don't we watch basketball, baseball, cricket etc?
Simply because we are not divided, and nobody supports anyone.
stephen koludrovic
Jun 24th 2012, 11:32
A kiss for every goal scored by either side could smooth some of the pain, extra time penalties if needed included.
Tim Vella
Jun 24th 2012, 11:01
God, I wonder how the Malta squad feels after seeing all their homies supporting foreign teams...!
No wonder they don't do so good! If we gave them support the same way we give it to others, you can be rest assured that our results would be waaaay much better!!
Amanda Muscat
Jun 24th 2012, 11:38
Mr Vella I think that the majority of Maltese Squad players themselves support a foreign team. Let's be sincere, there's nothing wrong in supporting a foreign team in competitions like these where we know we can't support our national team .
francis mallia
Jun 24th 2012, 12:38
tim we r not good enough m8 ;better to support england lol
Bernard Pollacco
Jun 24th 2012, 13:01
even they support the foreign teams :|
Charles Bayliss
Jun 24th 2012, 18:20
What is do wrong in supporting other teams. I am one of many millions of supporters of English football at national team and club levrl football. And these millions come from all five continents. In Malta I have my favourite team and sm proud (which unfortunately not that often) when our National side triumphs. But I am also proud when tiny Malta loses to the might of England, Germany or Italy with one single goal. So please keep your fabatic opinion to yourself and let others do what they wish. This is part of a free democratic procesx.
Tim Vella
Jun 25th 2012, 09:30
You have every right to do whatever you like Mr. Bayliss. Last summer I went to UK and met some Britons who were waving Maltese flags and supporting heavily the Malta squad.
Yes Charles, you have every right to make a total jackass of yourself.
Clifford Galea
Jun 24th 2012, 10:13
Boloh!
joe briffa
Jun 24th 2012, 10:51
Totally agree....
Dom.J. Bugejja
Jun 24th 2012, 13:31
Yeah Yeah Francis Mallia if the shoe was on the other foot, would England support us???? think about it .
Keith Muscat
Jun 24th 2012, 09:21
What Mr.Muscat did not mention is his "Come on Gascoigne, Come on Gascoigne!" screams during Italia 90.
His Brother
denise hobson
Jun 24th 2012, 11:24
I thought Gascoigne is in rehab for pissartising 24x7, he is a has been my son. besides England will definitly loose to-night against the mighty Italy.
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