UEFA Europa League: Gzira write golden chapter in club’s history as they advance to first round

Gzira U.                2
Sant Julia             1

Gzira U.: J. Haber, DP Mambouama, Z. Scerri (J. Corbolan), R. Soares, A. Cohen, C. Baldacchino, E. Bilbao, R. Briffa, E. Okoye (N. Muscat), T. Veronese, A. Samb (Jorginho).

Sant Julia: K. Ratti, J. Zarioh, P. Munoz (D. Linarez Gonzalez), V. Ramael, L. Blanco, E. Pi Sola (D. Quintero), J. Vinasco Lopez, N. Vasile, W. Lee, J. Mendez del Rio, J. A. Aguilar (F. Girau).

Referee: J. Xhaja (Albania).

Asst refs: D. Rexha, I. Tartaraj.

4th official: K. Kola.

Scorers: J. Mendez del Rio, A. Samb pen., E. Bilbao.

Yellow cards: J. Zarioh, Z. Scerri, J. Vinasco Lopez, L. Blanco, F. Girau, N. Vasile,

Red card: L. Blanco

Gzira United wrote a golden chapter in their history yesterday as they qualified for the first round of a European club competition for the first time.

They fought back from a goal down in the 62nd minute to score twice through a Samb penalty and a Bilbao effort in added time to win the match 2-1.

This was only their second participation in a European club competition. They had only participated once 45 years ago when they were beaten 9-0 on aggregate by Brann Bergen of Norway in a first round tie.

On Thursday they completed a 4-1 aggregate win over Andorran side Sant Julia to advance into the first round, where they will be meeting Radnicki Nis of Serbia.

In the first half, exchanges were more or less shared, but Gzira, inspired by the good form of Roderick Briffa, Andrew Cohen, Zach Scerri and Edison Zarate Bilbao created the best chances although they failed to find their opponents’ net.

Gzira United’s Destin Prince Mambouna (L) goes in hard with his challenge on Jose Antonio Aguilar of Sant Julia. Photo: Domenic Aquilina

The Maroons never gave the Andorrans a clear opportunity of goal, even if the Sant Julia side did their best to move upfield in search of a goal that would have given them hope of recovering the 0-2 deficit from the first leg.

In the second half, Gzira appeared determined to take over, but it was the Andorrans who came back strongly in contention when they found the Gzira net just after an hour’s play.

But their joy and enthusiasm soon came to an end as Gzira were awarded an albeit controversial penalty which Samb converted in style. From then on, the Maroons were back in command and not only scored a winning goal, but could have added more before the final whistle.

The Andorrans started on attack and in the 7th minute, Walter Lee had a low shot going wide.

Gzira’s reply arrived three minutes later through a Zachary Scerri fine effort which was, however, dealt with confidently by goalie Ratti who turned to corner in style.

On the 21st minute, goalie Haber did well to punch away what could have been a dangerous header from Pi Sola.

In the 35th minute, Gzira went close to scoring. Briffa set Okoye beautifully in the Sant Julia area. The latter’s effort was palmed out by goalie Ratti and the ball cleared before Samb could conclude.

Emmanuel Okoye of Gzira United (L) heads first in an aerial duel against Sant Julia. Photo: Domenic Aquilina

Early in the second half, Gzira threatened again through an Okoye shot which, however, was blocked to a corner by an Andorran defender.

At the other end, on the hour, it was Mendez del Rio who missed a good opportunity lifting the ball well over the bar from a favourable position.

The same Mendez del Rio made amends two minutes later, when he went past two defenders and beat goalie Haber with a low shot to give his side fresh hopes of a comeback.

But Gzira were back in command in the 65th minute when they were awarded a controversial penalty which brought about several protests from the Sant Julia players. Amadou Samb made no mistake from the spotkick.

In the 89th minute, Sant Julia finished in 10 men as Luis Blanco received a second yellow card for a bad foul on Cohen and was dismissed.

In added time, it was Edison Bilbao who gave Gzira their win as he beat goalie Ratti with a low shot.

Before the final whistle the Sant Julia goalie twice saved off Nikola Muscat and Jorginho to deny the Maroons more goals.