by Spartak Myjava and Swieqi United will battle for a place in the next round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League this evening at 19:00. Myjava forward Andrea Bogorova & Swieqi coach Dorianne Theuma painted the picture of the impact of a potential victory tonight, while weighing in on the expectations of the battle. Young duo Zuzana Narozna and Michaela Cachia gave their view on the experience in the competition and playing in front of an expected 2,000 strong crowd.
What Would Victory Mean For Myjava & Malta?
Spartak Myjava will welcome Swieqi United as the two battle for a place in the next round this evening at 19:00. Both teams secured their place in the final with strong score-lines and no goals conceded as Swieqi United claimed a 5 – 0 win against Agarista, while Spartak Myjava downed Buducnost Podgorica by 3 – 0.
A crowd of 1,329 attended the hosts’ semi-final on Wednesday, a match hosted in a town of close to 11,000 inhabitants. That attendance was higher than the record for a women’s football match in Malta (1,205). The number for tonight’s match could possibly rise into the 2,000 attendees.
Certainly, Spartak Myjava will have a strong crowd behind them. Andrea Bogorova painted the picture of the impact of these matches on the whole movement, “Winning this match would mean a lot, not just for us as a team, but for the whole town of Myjava. It would be a historic moment and a big reward for all the hard work we’ve put in. It would also be a great message for young girls in our region that with passion and commitment, anything is possible. We want to make our club and our supporters proud.”
Swieqi United’s debut in the competition has already been successful, registering victory on their first appearance, becoming just the second Maltese team to win a match in the competition. Dorianne Theuma was questioned on the impact that a victory tonight would have on her team, noting that no team in Malta has ever gotten to the next stage.
Having played a part in the women’s football movement from its beginning in Malta, Dorianne Theuma gave a wider view, “I believe that more than for us as Swieqi, I think the significance would be for Malta as a nation. The difficulty of the competition is there and so we must always keep our feet on the ground, but I do not believe that there are big gaps between the two teams. I think that within itself is already a satisfaction to see, which shows that if we work together we can compete.”
She continued, “To get the result we got against a Moldovan team, a team that is comparative to Malta in ability, is of huge satisfaction. It shows that we can improve and that it is not impossible for Maltese teams to go further. When I am here and see the level of our players, I am encouraged. I hope that the victory achieved, and the performances, show that if this movement is given the chance and supported in the right way with the attention it deserves, there could be a time when as a nation we could truly enjoy success in football.”
However, in the ninety or possibly one-hundred and twenty minutes of football to be played tonight, it will be about a group of people going through all the motions as they watch two teams display their football in search for glory.
Spartak’s defender, Zuzana Narozna, and Swieqi United’s midfielder, Michaela Cachia, are two players close to twenty years who will be taking in this experience in the early stages of their career.
Zuzana Narozna suggested that the hosts will seek to send their supporters home happy, “The fans are our twelfth player, they support us and that is very important for us. We will try to show them good football tomorrow and get a good result.”
Swieqi United’s Michaela Cachia was honest in the response when presented with a question of how playing in front of those numbers changes her perspective of the match, “I’ve never played in front of a crowd that big, so I’m not sure how it would make me feel, it will be a new experience as well. Although the crowd will be cheering for the home team, I’m hoping that we can show the work we’ve put into the training ground and give a good match of football for them to enjoy.”
Different Opposition
The two teams come into it having won their respective domestic titles. Spartak Myjava have grown to dominate the Slovakian league, while Swieqi United have gradually risen in Malta and secured a maiden title amid a heavily battled four-horse race last season. The UEFA Women’s Champions League gives the possibility to test the team against completely different styles and players.
Zuzana Narozna suggested that the preparation remains the same, “I don’t see this match as different to any other. We prepare for every match honestly to give the best performance. We will focus on ourselves and on the team’s performance.”
Meanwhile, Michaela Cachia replied, “I think it’s a nice challenge and it is a unique experience that I know not everyone gets to have, so its significance is not lost on me. At the same time, I am with a team that truly feels like family. We are looking forward to show our game and hopefully earn the opportunity to play more of these matches.”
Will The Final Be As Free-Scoring?
Spartak Myjava’s forward, Andrea Bogorova, and Swieqi United’s coach, Dorianne Theuma, gave their view on whether tonight’s fixture will be as open.
Andrea Bogorova replied, “I definitely expect both teams to come out with high intensity. There’s everything to play for, a spot in the next round of the Champions League is a huge motivation. Both teams showed their strength in the first match and neither has conceded a goal, so I think we can expect a very aggressive and intense game. But we’ll go into it with determination, discipline, and our own tactical plan, aiming to win.”
Meanwhile, Dorianne Theuma weighed in, “I think we’ve seen the ability of both teams and we know the value and level that we will face will be stronger than what we faced in the semi-final. As a team we must not get carried away, but I believe that if we are tactically disciplined and use our strengths in attack then we can have a good game. However, we cannot underestimate the ability of our opposition.”
Should the ninety not be enough to separate the two teams, extra-time and penalties loom. Andrea Bogorova suggested the team is ready for whatever is required, “We always prepare for all possible scenarios, including extra time and penalties. However of course, our goal is to decide the match within the ninety minutes. We believe in our quality and our game plan, and we want to take control from the beginning. Still, we’re ready for anything the match might bring.”
Experienced midfielder, Andjela Kricak is relishing the challenge ahead for Swieqi United, “I expect it to be a tough battle but if we are mentally prepared, then I believe that everything is possible.”
Dorianne Theuma was also reluctant to call which way the match might go, but equally confirmed that her team is ready for whatever the occasion throws, “It’s a game of football, anything can happen. We will do our best, we’re prepared physically and mentally for any possibility but for us if we can push to extra-time and penalties it would also be a satisfactory step as well.”
The two teams will take to the pitch at the Stadium Myjava at 19:00. The match will be live-streamed on Youtube, with link to follow.
Edit* Link to Youtube Stream here.
Lead Images: VladimÃr Pyxel Domen (Spartak Myjava) / Michael Azzopardi (Swieqi United)
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