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Malta girls braced for tough Euro opening against Denmark

Published: 28-08-2019 16:55
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Malta open their UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 qualifying commitments on Thursday when they meet Denmark, one of the strongest teams in Group B, at the Viborg Arena (kick off 18:00hrs).  The Malta squad, led by coach Mark Gatt, arrived in Denmark on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s qualifier which will be followed by another away commitment – against Bosnia & Herzegovina on September 3. Gatt is well aware that his team will be up against very tough opponents but he believes that the Maltese girls can rise to the occasion against the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 finalists. “Denmark will be going all out to obtain a convincing result, especially since they are playing their opening game at home and in a country where women’s football is widely followed,” Gatt told www.mfa.com.mt. “We know we are in for a massive challenge but our aim is to perform to the maximum of our abilities. This match will not only help us to prepare for the remaining nine qualifiers, it will also be a baptism of fire for the new faces in the team who will be experiencing international football for the first time.” Malta captain Dorianne Theuma echoed Gatt’s sentiments. “We have had a very intense pre-season. Although we know that the level of this Denmark team is very high, we will certainly not give up. Our intention is to give our best from start to finish,” Theuma said. The other teams in Group B are Italy, Israel and Georgia. Gatt has included five foreign-based players in his 20-strong squad, namely Motherwell goalkeeper Anna Louise Vincenti, who joined her Malta team-mates in Demmark, Nicole Sciberras, who recently joined the youth squad of Italian club Juventus, PSV Vrouwen midfielder Rachel Cuschieri, and forwards Martina Borg, currently on the books of Sassari Torres, and Maria Farrugia of Sunderland AFC Ladies. Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard can bank on a strong squad with several players engaged with overseas clubs, including Wolfsburg striker Pernille Harder, and Fiorentina’s Frederikke Skojdt Thogersen. In the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 final, Denmark lost 4-2 to the Netherlands, the tournament hosts.