The spirit of La Vallette

Writing in UEFA.com, Domenic Aquilina recalls the great siege as he previews Saturday's Euro qualifier against Turkey:

Malta's national team are hoping to take inspiration from a 16th century siege on the island as they seek victory against the odds against Turkey on Saturday. Back in 1565, the Maltese Knights of St John, led by Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Vallette, managed to survive a three-month siege by Ottoman forces in what is regarded as one of the great victories in military history. The Maltese then built their fortified capital, Valletta, on Mount Sciberras to ensure that they would never be so vulnerable to attack again.

Malta's UEFA EURO 2008™ Group C meeting with Turkey at the National Stadium in Ta'Qali on 8 September coincides with Victory Day. It is a major public holiday to commemorate the end of the siege, and coach Dušan Fitzel will hope to be cast in the role of La Vallette as he seeks an unlikely triumph against Fatih Terim's Turkey, currently third in the section. Malta's seven qualifiers to date have included a 2-1 home win against Hungary and a 1-1 draw in Moldova. It is no small achievements given the size of the nation and a major reason why Czech coach Fitzel was recently given a contract extension in his dual role as coach and Malta Football Association technical director until the end of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The national team rarely enter any game as favourites, but Fitzel has done his best to imbue them with a competitive spirit - something La Vallette would surely have been proud of. "The approach before every match to have a winning mentality and that is exactly what I have injected in my boys," he said. "It is all about winning in football."...Turkey come to Malta needing a win to keep up their battle for a place in the finals, but Muscat hopes Malta will have another reason to celebrate Victory Day on Saturday...

From The New Anatolian: Boys of Terim ready for Malta