Nowadays, women’s football is increasing in its popularity and is gaining a lot of respect and attracting more females. Malta is not an exception, and this is shown by the number of girls who are choosing football as a hobby over the usual "girls’ hobbies’. This is surely a positive thing, because apart from the fact that it strengthens the local women’s football, it helps the girls to keep fit and enjoy a healthy life style.
After the early exits of the males’ teams from European competitions earlier this summer, it’s time for the Hibernians Ladies FC to represent Malta in the UEFA competitions since they have won the Maltese Premier League last season, after a fierce battle against their arch rivals, Birkirkara FC. They will compete in the 1st qualifying round of the UEFA Women Champions League, in a group stage format in Cluj, Romania, between the 9th and 14th of August. Hibernians will have a tough challenge in Group 2, when they will face the hosts CFF Olimpia Cluj, Raheny United FC, Ireland, and FC NSA Sofia, Bulgaria. CFF Olimpia Cluj will probably provide the toughest challenge to Hibernians. They are highly experienced in these competitions, and they have even reached the last 16 during the 2012/13 campaign. Moreover, since their foundation in 2010, they have always triumphed in their league, with wins as high as 26-0 and 27-0. Their matches will be played in the Victoria Someseni Cluj, which has a capacity of 5,000 spectators and in the newly constructed, Cluj Arena, which has a capacity of 30,000 spectators and already hosted Cluj (males’ team) in UEFA competitions.
“There is a great atmosphere and lot of enthusiasm among the players, since this will be the first European experience for various players, especially the youngest ones. We are getting in form day after day, and our coach is focusing a lot on the tactic so that we will be tactically disciplined on the pitch” These are the thoughts of Hibernians’ vice captain, Ylenia Carabott, about the team’s atmosphere and how they are preparing themselves for this tough challenge in Romania. Moreover, she added that she is highly confident that the team can provide a huge display against all teams, despite them competing in a weaker league and not having the adequate facilities unlike their opponents.
In the meantime, I would like to wish all the players and the members of the staff a huge good luck. Their football level may not be equivalent to their opponents’, but they have worked very hard during these warm summer months and hopefully, their effort will be appreciated by everyone. Finally, I have no doubts that they will defend the colours of our flag with enough pride and courage.