The U-17 Malta Women selection will get the ground running this morning as they open their 2018 UEFA Women’s U-17 European championship qualification campaign with a stiff test against Italy (kick-off: 11.30am).

Malta will complete their Group 11 commitments with a game on Thursday against Nordic side Finland (kick-off: 11.30am) and on Sunday, as they cross swords with Slovenia (kick-off: 3.00pm).

Slovenia will be hosting this mini-tournament with the group winner and runner-up go through and could be the case that the third-place team qualify as well as there is a required number of third-places teams with the best record against the first and second-placed team that could make it through to ensure that there are 28 sides in the Elite round.

While there may be a difference in the technical quality between Malta and the rest of the group, Frank Schembri’s side will be aiming to replicate last year’s success when in their maiden qualification campaign, they managed to earn a victory against Montenegro in their final group game after defeats against Greece and Sweden.

One of the protagonists of last year’s journey was Gozitan player Maria Farrugia who grabbed both goals in their 2-1 win against Montenegro, and once again she has been called up for this European expedition.

Farrugia plays a midfielder and in her nine appearances with this selection she managed to notch three goals to her name.

Also, among the most experienced there will be defenders Chloe Ann Ellul and Nicole Sciberras, midfielders Maia Debono, Celeste Grech and Samantha Zarb and clinical forward and Demi Magrin.

Schembri has also included some new faces in this group including goalkeeper Anastasia Dimech and forward Maria Michela Cassar.

Tipped as favourites to make it through as group winners, Italy boast a variety of quality players which have been emerging lately in women’s football in Italy. However, they have never claimed the top of the podium in this tournament with their best ever result being registered in the 2014 edition when they finished third with a roster which included the likes of Martina Rosucci, who nowadays is a key member of Juventus Women and the senior Italy team. Le Azzurre will be under the guidance of newly-appointed Massimo Migliorini who replaced Rita Guarino earlier this year after the latter was appointed Juventus Women’s first ever coach.

With two places at grab, Finland also have what it takes to clinch a finals berth as they are also strengthening themselves when it comes to women’s football. In last year’s qualification campaign, they failed to qualify despite ending level on points with the eventual qualifiers Portugal and Italy, whom they will meet again, on five points. One of their main threats is midfielder Emelie Smirnoff who plays for AIK Fotboll Dam in Sweden and who is tipped as Finland’s most promising player.

Wrapping up the group will be hosts Slovenia. Women’s football in Slovenia has also embarked on new projects from which they are reaping their fruits, including the fact after a long-term domestic superiority, Pomurje were dethroned by Olimpija Ljubljana, highlighting the quality of players which Slovenia is nurturing. In the 2017 edition, Slovenia managed to qualify from this stage but they could not reach the finals after finishing one point behind the Netherlands in the Elite round.

Official squad:

Goalkeepers: Sarah Zarb (Mosta), Lauren Sciberras (Mġarr United), Anastasia Cauchi (Tarxien Rainbows).

Defenders: Amber Brincat, Jessica Lee Dimech, Chloe Ann Ellul (all Tarxien Rainbows), Valentina Rapa (Gozo), Nicole Zammit (Birkirkara), Nicole Sciberras (Mosta).

Midfielders: Michella Bonello Ghio (Raiders), Amy Busuttil (Tarxien Rainbows), Maia Debono, Angelique Schembri (both Mġarr United), Maria Farrugia (Gozo), Celeste Grech (Mosta), Samantha Zarb (Birkirkara).

Forwards: Shakira Bugeja, Maria Michela Cassar, Demi Magrin (all Kirkop United), Michela Felice (Birkirkara).

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