Women’s Under-17 national team off to Greece to take part in UEFA qualifiers

National Team UEFA Women Youth Football
by Antoine Busuttil

Womens-Under-17The Malta Women’s Under-17 national team will be embarking on a new adventure as they will be involved in a UEFA tournament for the first time ever. The girls led by coach Frank Schembri will be travelling to Greece on Tuesday for their 2017 UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship Group 2 qualifiers.

Malta have been drawn against Greece, who will be hosting this tournament, Sweden and Montenegro. Sweden are by far the most experienced side in this group, having also qualified once, in 2013, where they finished as runners-up. Despite having never made it to the finals, Greece and Montenegro have abundant experience at their disposal, as this is not the first time they are involved in these qualifications.

Malta faces Sweden on Thursday, Greece on Saturday and Montenegro Tuesday. The three matches will be played at the Pampeloponnisiako Stadium in Patras.

women-under-17-national-team2016The players selected by Schembri are:
goalkeepers Jodie Attard (Raiders) and Patricia Ebejer (Mgarr United).
defenders Kimberley Borg, Chloe Ann Ellul (Tarxien Rainbows), Leanne Cefai (Gozo), Nicole Sciberras (Mosta) and Rohanne Zahra (Raiders);
midfielders Amy Busuttil (Tarxien Rainbows), Kayleigh Chetcuti (Hibernians), Maia Debono (Mgarr United), Kathryn Ellul (Kirkop United), Maria Farrugia, Keeva Camilleri (Gozo), Celeste Grech (Mosta), Sarah Urpani and Samantha Zarb (Birkirkara);
forwards Michela Felice (Birkirkara) and Demi Magrin (Kirkop United).