Malta FA president Norman Darmanin Demajo has expressed his delight at UEFA’s decision to award Malta hosting rights for the 2014 European Under-17 Cham-pionship final tournament.
“Our reaction is absolutely positive,” Darmanin Demajo told The Times the day after the UEFA Executive Committee announced at its Istanbul meeting that it had chosen Malta to stage the last eight-team Under-17 final tournament in two years’ time.
“There were other applications and we always knew that it was going to be difficult. We submitted our bid and we’re very pleased with the outcome.
“(UEFA president) Michel Platini has been instrumental in this. He has been encouraging this change... it’s not only the big nations that are being awarded important tournaments. The policy of UEFA is to spread the benefits of football to the small countries as well.”
Malta will be the last country to organise a European U-17 final tournament comprising eight nations as the championships in Bulgaria and Azerbaijan over the following seasons will be contested by 16 teams.
Nevertheless, the prospect of hosting such a prestigious tournament constitutes a herculean test for the Malta FA but Darmanin Demajo is confident that the association has the resources and knowhow to live up to the challenge.
“In terms of organising the event, I’m sure that we’re capable of doing a good job,” Darmanin Demajo said.
“There is the added challenge that, as hosts, our U-17 team will compete in this final tournament. It’s our responsibility to field a valid squad that can compete with honour against seven of the top European footballing nations.
“It’s a big ask but we’re taking things very seriously. This will be a great opportunity for our boys to gain experience and try to win some positive results.
“We’re very satisfied about this and I want to publicly thank UEFA for showing confidence in the Malta FA.”
Darmanin Demajo is also comforted by the knowledge that the Malta FA can bank on UEFA’s full support to stage the 2014 U-17 final tournament.
“UEFA always provide great assistance to hosting countries,” Darmanin Demajo said.
“Their backing is crucial. Even financially, they will cover all the expenses associated with the organisation and for us, it’s reassuring to know that we can count on their unconditional support.”
The Malta FA have reportedly earmarked five venues for the competition, namely the National Stadium, Centenary Stadium, Hibs Stadium, Tedesco Stadium and the one in Gozo.
The championship spans 14 days with this year’s finals in Slovenia played between May 4 and 16.
Darmanin Demajo explained that the MFA had to satisfy a number of criteria for their bid to be accepted in the first place.
“Our bid wouldn’t have been considered if we failed to meet the requirements about infrastructure and accommodation,” Darmanin Demajo said.
“We have already passed that first important test.”
Falzon back in national squad
Meanwhile, Dyson Falzon has resumed training with the national squad after completing his recovery from a rib injury.
Falzon, currently playing on loan for Mosta from Valletta, was named in the pool of home-based players called by interim Malta coach Robert Gatt at the start of the year.
However, the 25-year-old win-ger was temporarily dropped from the squad in the wake of his bad-tempered reaction after being substituted in the first half of Valletta’s FA Trophy match against Sliema on January 21.
A few days later, Falzon joined Mosta on loan until the end of the season only to receive another setback after sustaining two fractured ribs in his first showing for the Blues.
After spending several weeks on the sidelines, Falzon made his comeback earlier this month and Gatt duly invited him to rejoin the national squad.
Goalkeeper Justin Haber is also training with his international team-mates after terminating his contract with Greek Super League club Kerkyra.