The Birkirkara women’s team lost 0-1 to Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia in the match for third place in Round 1 Group 2 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League at the Broadway Stadium in Cumbernauld, Scotland, on Saturday.

It was a fine display by the Stripes, especially during the first half

, having a goal by Stephania Farrugia disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper and going close with attempts by Raina Giusti and Gabriella Zahra.

Early in the second half, Veronique Mifsud had a good effort turned into a corner by the goalkeeper and from the resulting corner, the Stripes went close once again thanks to a header by Gabriella Zahra. The Slovak champions threatened with attempts by Skerdova and Hdrlickova.

With the score still goalless at the end of the ninety minutes, the match went into extra-time.

Pavlina Hrdličková scored the all-important goal three minutes in the first half of extra-time, heading the ball home past goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

SLOVAN Martina Geletova, Sofia Cernakova, Monika Bytcankova, Barbora Vargova, Viktoria Hankova (115’ Sandra Pribilova), Stela Semanova (79’ Pavlina Hrdlickova), Kristina Tipulova, Tereza Mrockova, Martina Svecova, Viktoria Ceriova, Sofia Skerdova (119’ Natalia Botkova).

B’KARA Janice Xuereb, Gabriella Zahra, Ann-Marie Said, Stephania Farrugia, Tracy Teuma (106’ Izabella Camilleri), Alishia Sultana, Raina Giusti (83’ Flavia Fartaria), Veronique Mifsud (84’ Mariah Cardona), Yasmeen Marie Bajada (116’ Mariah Sciberras), Charlene Zammit, Valentina Rapa (68’ Martina Fenech).

Referee: Valentina Finzi ITA

Assistant Referees: Francesca Di Monte ITA, Alisa Levalampi FIN

Fourth official: Ifeoma Kulmala FIN