SV Sandhausen win Tipsport Malta Cup 2023

German 2. Bundesliga side SV Sandhausen won the Tipsport Malta Cup 2023 after defeating Austrian side WSG Tirol 3-2 in the final at the National Stadium on Thursday.

SV Sandhausen, who had claimed maximum points in Group B which included Trinity Zlin and Spartak Trnava, took the lead courtesy of Christian Kinsombi after just four minutes. Tirol were quick to equalise thanks to a goal by Lukas Sulzbacher two minutes later but Sandhausen regained the lead through an own goal by Tim Prica on the 9th. Four minutes later, Alexander Esswein converted a penalty for the German side to make it 3-1.

Eight minutes in the second half, Thomas Sabitzer reduced the gap for Tirol but despite pressing for the equaliser, they failed in their attempt and Sandhausen were therefore crowned winners.

Slovan Liberec claimed third place after defeating Trinity Zlin in a clash between two teams from the Czech Republic.

Michal Fukala opened the score on the 18th minute, Ahmad Ghali made it 2-0 on the 29th and Dominik Preisler sealed the issue with a third goal thirteen minutes in the second half.

On the other hand, the match for fifth place put against each other two teams from Slovakia – Spartak Trnava and AS Trencin. Spartak Trnava emerged as winners, beating Trencin 2-1.

Kritian Kostrna put Spartak ahead eight minutes from the end of the first half and although David Takac converted a penalty to level matters for Trinity Zlin nine minutes in the second half, Milan Ristovski notched the winner on the 75th.