Rare football triumph

Malta is celebrating the first Euro qualifier win in 24 years after beating Hungary yesterday night with two goals by Andre' Schembri. The last time Malta won a competitive football game on home territory was a 2-0 victory in 1975 over current European champions Greece. Yesterday's victory was widely reported by the international media. Kevin Azzopardi, writing for Reuters, reported the end of Malta's "long victory drought". In the UEFA news site, Domenic Aquilina called it "the Malta famine". From CNN International:

Malta won their first European Championship qualifying tie for 24 years on Wednesday, humbling once mighty Hungary 2-1 in a Euro 2008 Group C clash. Andre Schembri scored twice for the Maltese to give them their first points of the campaign and virtually end Hungary's hopes of qualifying for the finals.

Hungary did manage an equalzser through Sandor Torghelle but they were reduced to 10 men after 38 minutes when Vilmos Vanczak was sent off for a late tackle. "It was an excellent performance from Malta," Malta's Czech coach Dusan Fitzel told reporters. "The players' confidence grew after we managed to take an early lead and even though Hungary equalized soon after, the team did not lose focus.

"This was one of those nights when everything just went right for my team. I just hope that this win is not our first and last in this competition." Malta, who last won a Euro qualifier against Iceland in neutral Messina in 1982, thoroughly deserved their victory as they were the better side, especially after Vanczak was red-carded for fouling Michael Mifsud. The hosts drew first blood after 13 minutes when the tricky Mifsud's shot came back off the woodwork and the 20-year-old Schembri stabbed the ball into the net...

UEFA: Malta enjoys 'moment to savour'; From the Maltese blogosphere: Jacques Rene'Zammit, Aaron Farrugia; From the Hungarian press: Kínos kudarc Máltán