The Malta Women’s Under-17 National Team produced an excellent performance against a strong Sweden side, yet ultimately fell to a 3-0 defeat, with two of the goals coming deep in stoppage time.

After their unlucky 3-1 loss against Lithuania, the Maltese girls certainly rose to the occasion with a feisty and brave showing. Malta were looking for a creditable performance against tough opposition in the form of Sweden in their second UEFA European Championship qualifier.

Photo courtesy of Malta FA

As expected, Sweden started strongly and had their first opportunity after 13 minutes with a strong effort by Lina Selander Lofgren that went just over. A minute later, Stina Muren hit the post as the pressure started building. Lofgren had another shot that was saved in two attempts by Katelyn Camilleri.

Although Sweden continued dominating possession, Malta held firm with keeper Camilleri producing a string of impressive saves and blocks. The Malta defence was superbly marshalled by Krista Sacco and Amy Bello Catania limiting the tall strong Swedes to shots from outside the box.

Sweden continued attacking in search of their opening goal and Camilelri covered herself in glory with a superb save from a piledriver by Fanny Peterson on 53 minutes. Stina Myren hit the post on the hour as Malta continued holding on.

However, two minutes later, Sweden took the lead when Peterson was put through on goal and made no mistake, firing past Camilleri. Sweden took their foot off the gas after that opening goal with Malta also having a chance to equalise on 70 minutes when Catania was in the clear but the Swedish defence managed to block at the last moment.

However, Sweden sewed up the tie with two late goals deep in injury time courtesy of Lovisa Breland and Alice Radsjo to somewhat put a damper on Malta’s excellent performance.

Sweden
12 Hillevie Strobeck, 2 Ebba Hertzell, 3 Edit Rautio (4 Alice Radsjo, 64’), 5 Alva Wessberg (8 Ella Edstrand, 64’), 6 Thea Eriksson, 9 Lina Selander Lofgren, 10 Fanny Peterson, 11 Stina Myren (19 Thelma Alexandersson, 85’), 13 Lovisa Breland, 14 Ellie Junetoft (C) (18 Filippa Anderssen Widen, 64’), 16 Lilian Haggkvist (17 Stella Maiquez 77’)

Malta
12 Katelyn Camilleri, 2 Amy Bello Catania, 5 Krista Sacco (21 Ana Mercieca, 46’), 7 Erika Cini (11 Kesia Farrugia, 90+1’), 8 Martina Vassallo (20 Gloria Cassar, 46’), 10 Kay Axiak, 14 Nina-Lee Naudi, 15 Alanah Ghio, 16 Sara Anneloes Shaladi, 19 Amberley Borg (18 Pearl May Scembri, 46’), 22 Isabelle Said

Referee: Mezvarinari Sharashanidze (GEO)