Malta mark 50 years in style

It is 50 years this month since Malta made their debut on the international stage against Austria and to mark the occasion the Maltese Football Association has invited the same opposition back to the island.

Austria visit
The visit of the UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts to Ta' Qali on Wednesday is just one of a number of events organised to celebrate Malta's footballing past. However, the main event features the current team and Dusan Fitzel's men head into the game at the National Stadium in confident mood having beaten Hungary in their last qualifier in October, and they are confident of at least avoiding a repeat of Austria's 3-2 victory on 24 February 1957.

Family ties
This week's friendly, which will be attended by many who played in the original game, has extra special significance for the Schembri family, the most famous dynasty in Maltese football. Striker Andre Schembri scored both goals against Hungary and will be cheering on his team-mates this week, with an ankle injury having ended his own hopes of playing. The 20-year-old is very much the man of the moment in Malta and he sees plenty to be cheerful about. "I do believe Maltese football is progressing, despite Malta being a small football nation," he told uefa.com. "I am very positive about Malta's football future."

First match
Andre's 83-year-old grandfather Salvinu captained Malta in that historic first game against Austria, and shared his memories of the occasion with uefa.com. "I can still remember that match," he said. "We were already down 1-0 by half-time and as team captain I decided to go against our coach's decision to defend for the rest of the match. I told him there was nothing to lose and we would go out with an attacking plan. The final result, was that we scored two goals despite finishing 3-2 losers."

'Positive outlook'
Completing the trio is Andre's father Eric, who made his international debut in a defeat by Libya in 1974, and he also believes football on the island is in good health. "I do see a positive outlook for Maltese football. Facilities are more available when compared to my playing days, and of course there is a lot of pride at seeing our family tradition very much involved in Maltese football, especially with this special milestone."