Pastizzi & Penalties Podcast

I this episode I'm joined by Gianluca Lia from the Times of Malta to talk about all things to do with the Maltese men's and women's national sides. We also look at some Maltese players on the move overseas as contracts come to an end. Included:

• Malta Women seal promotion to Nations' League B.
• Malta Men face Lithuania (a six-pointer?) and Netherlands.
• Congratulations to Callum Talbot on winning the A-League.
• What next for Zach Muscat and Luke Tabone?

You can keep up-to-date with Gianluca on X (@gianlia96) and also at the Times of Malta SportsDesk.

This episode sees the return of Times of Malta sportswriter Gianluca Lia, whom we last spoke to in the summer of 2024.

We speak about both the men's and women's national senior national sides, new national coach Emilio De Leo, an exciting title race in the Assikura Women's League, the state of the MPL after half a season and also an update on some Maltese players overseas and recent moves.

You can catch Gianluca's work at SportsDesk and also on X / Twitter.

In this episode we speak with Malta Under-19's international and Green Gully full-back Justin Spiteri. Justin is one of the large Maltese-Australian diaspora who are returning to their ancestral homeland to pull on the red shirt.

• How it began in Melbourne
• Joining Green Gully - the Maltese powerhouse in Victoria
• Scouted by the MFA
• Playing for the Malta Under-19's
• What comes next season?

In this episode we talk to Maltese goalkeeper George Zammit. Based in England and playing in the semi-pro divisions of non-league, George talks about:

• How it all started in England
• Time at the Luton Town Academy
• Moving into the non-league game
• Trialling in Malta
• The national side
• The state of Maltese football
• What next?

A link to George's TikTok profile with highlights and more can be found here.

In this episode I am joined by Times of Malta sports writer Gianluca Lia. On the list of topics for discussion today...

* Gianluca's position and choosing the top 100 Women's Footballers
* A round-up of Maltese clubs in 1st Qualifying Round European competition
* The new MPL - is it a good thing?
* Maltese domestic women's football - where next?
* Paying tribute to Dorianne Theuma
* Can Birkirkara Ladies qualify for the UEFA Champions League 2nd Round?
* The women's national side in League B - has it been a positive experience?
* Where next for the free agents in the women's national side?
* Is there scope to increase the women's player pool from the diaspora?

The inaugural episode of the Pastizzi & Penalties podcast with former Hibernians Chief Scout, Fernando Campelo.

In this episode we discuss Fernando's time at Hibernians, scouting Maltese-style, this summer's transfer, the new MPL format, forthcoming European ties featuring Maltese clubs and also the national side.