With the Malta Under-21 National Team edging closer to its next UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier against Greece, Coach Davide Mazzotta has emphasised the importance of focusing on players’ long-term development.
The team will be resuming its UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifying campaign on Friday 27th March 2026 with an away clash against Greece. The match, being played at the Municipal Stadium of Livadia, Greece, will kick off at 17:00hrs (CET) and will be broadcast live on TVMSport+.
Afterwards, the team will travel to Georgia for another away match, this time on Tuesday 31st March 2026, kicking off at 16:00hrs (CET). The encounter will be played at the Ramaz Shengelia Stadium in Kutaisi, Georgia, and will be broadcast live on TVMSport.mt.
Speaking on the eve of the match against Greece, Mazzotta highlighted that the team’s preparation heading into this encounter has been positive, and the team is moving in the right direction.
“This is a process and there is still a long way to go. As in previous international windows, we initially tried to manage the players’ recovery and mental condition. Once that was done, we restarted together with great energy. I think our players deserve our praise,” he commented.
Mazzotta also stated that the team has several objectives going into this match, with the most important being to keep the team at the centre of the project.
“You only grow if you are united and ready to defend one another and for one another. The individual is an important part, but not the decisive one, and we must ensure that this sense of respect becomes our mantra. In team sports, bringing together different mindsets from different countries is the most difficult mission. But honestly, our young players are good and willing, and they make everything easier thanks to their humility,” he continued.
For this international window, Mazzotta initially named a 31-man provisional squad, later trimming it down to 24 players.
When asked how he would evaluate the development of the U21 group over the course of the qualifying campaign, Mazzotta said that he and his coaching staff are meticulous and always looking to push the team further. The coach remarked that he is optimistic about what is being taught, and the response has been positive, even if the results will most likely be seen later on when the players develop further.
“We have started a new technical-tactical pathway. It is complex and therefore will not bring immediate, striking results, but we are convinced that over the next year, if several of our young players earn a place in the senior national team, they will approach it with strong self-confidence and solid game understanding,” he added.
“The experience at U21 level is wonderful, fascinating, and crucial for a player’s development,” Mazzotta concluded.