by Birkirkara are almost twenty-four hours away from the kick-off of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final tie against ZFK Breznica. In anticipation, the Stripes’ captain Stephania Farrugia spoke about the outlook toward game ahead and the importance of the growing support for the women’s game as a whole.
The Maturity Since First Appearing In 2007
Birkirkara’s skipper has been with the club since her beginnings as a footballer. She debuted in the club’s first foray in the competition at the age of sixteen and has not looked back since then. Looking back Farrugia says, “We were unaware of what it was like to play in the Champions League. As much as you prepare yourself and are aware of the capabilities of the teams that make it to that level, you never imagine them to be as good as they are. However, looking back it is a memory I truly treasure. From the preparations leading up to the games and the feeing both before, during and after, they are memories I will always carry with me.”
Probed as to whether the experience has calmed nerves going into such big matches, the skipper said, “I would not say I am less nervous, but that rather I have learnt how to manage the pre-game emotions better over the years. Obviously, the opponent we are playing against also makes a difference to the nervy feelings before a match.”
The Pride In Leading The Team Onto The Pitch
Despite Birkirkara hosting the competition in Malta back in 2012, Farrugia had not yet taken over the responsibility of captaining the team then. Questioned about how much she is looking forward to that moment of leading the team onto the pitch she said, “Leading the team out as captain is an experience I look forward to and cherish every game of the season. However, considering the calibre of the competition and that since we will be playing in Malta your family and friends are going be able to watch you, makes it even more special. It will definitely be one of my more memorable moments in my career.”
Having been a part of the team for so many years, Stephania Farrugia was one of the players to have experienced the defeat against Glentoran on home soil in 2012, but also earn revenge against them last year. Probed about how much that motivates the team to earn a positive result against ZFK Breznica, to earn the chance to compete in the final against FC Zurich (whom they also faced in 2017), the captain recalled the growth over the years, “Every time we go to the Champions League, we feel like we have improved from the previous time. Beating teams that previously seemed unbeatable in our eyes gives us the belief that we can play a good game regardless of the opponents we are facing. Come game day, we can hopefully recall on the memories of last year and use them to push us even more during these two games.”
The Growth In Support For Women’s Football
From a global perspective, women’s football continues to garner more attention, with record attendances being broken with each passing year worldwide. The Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand saw the target of ticket sales being surpassed within the first week of the tournament.
Like previous major competitions, the quality of football observed in the tournament has served as a vehicle to attract more towards the stadiums. Asked about the importance of these growing attendances to seep into the game in Malta, the captain said, “We have seen the increase in attendances for women’s football, especially having had the World Cup so recently. It is so important for us as Birkirkara and in women’s games in Malta to have more people come to watch the games.”
Questioned about the meaning of having strong support for all the women’s games in Malta, the captain also alluded to the daily struggles that players go through each day, of handling the commitment to playing football on top of working a full-time job. She said, “Not only does it help push and motivate players during the games but also makes the sacrifices we make day in day out throughout the year so much more worthwhile.”
The match will be played at the Centenary Stadium tomorrow Wednesday 6th September, at 6 pm. Tickets may be bought online, from Intersport at Qormi or at the stadium door. Prices are 5 Euro. Seniors and those under 12 years old are discounted at 3 Euro.
The Champions League match will be followed by the Assikura Women’s Youth League match between Hibernians and SKMM which kicks off at 20:30 in the same stadium.
Lead Image: Brandon Bonett / Birkirkara FC.
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