Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529157
12 SPORTS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 NOVEMBER 2024 KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt INTERNATIONAL success and Maltese football are not words usu- ally uttered in the same sentence, but women are changing the script. The women's national team last year made history to become the first Maltese squad to secure pro- motion in an international compe- tition in the sport's history. And that success is not going un- noticed as European clubs across the continent have signed a num- ber of Maltese players to bolster their squad for the upcoming sea- son. There are currently 16 Maltese fe- male footballers playing with clubs in top European football leagues. This is ostensibly the highest ev- er number of Maltese footballers, men or women, to ever be playing in foreign leagues at the same time. Italy seems to be the destination of choice for a number of Maltese players, with 10 players playing their football on the peninsula. Star forward Haley Bugeja cur- rently plays for Milan side In- ter, while Nina Lee Naudi will be spending another season with Sampdoria. But a further eight players have committed their future to Italian sides. Three players have decided to make the leap and play for a Eu- ropean side this summer: Frances- ca Bartolo signed for Sassuolo from Valletta, Kaysia Micallef signed for Sampdoria and Sara Saliba has signed for AC Milan from Birkir- kara. Others have decided to sign for a different club in Italy, having al- ready experienced life in the Italian leagues. Kailey Willis signed for Parma from Hellas Verona, but was loaned out for the remainder of the season with Venezia. Lexine Farrugia signed for Ro- ma from Sampdoria, Rachel Cus- chieri transferred to Genoa from Sampdoria and Raisa Costantino signed for ASD Gelbison from SPD Tharros. Emma Lipman moved to Genoa from Como. A number of Maltese players are also playing in England, with Alex- andra Gatt and Emma Ciantar Pic- cinino playing for Durham Cestria and London Seward respectively. Maria Farrugia is playing for Sheffield United, having signed from Lewis FC this summer, while Ylenia Carabott signed for AFC Fylde from London Seaward. Outside England and Italy, Maya Lucia this year signed for AP Or- len Gdansk in Poland from ŽNK Osijek. Jana Barbara, who has been playing in Germany for quite some time will be continuing her journey with Schalke. With 16 Maltese women now playing their football abroad, it seems the basis of a successful squad for the present and the fu- ture has been created. Stepping onto the international stage: 16 women now play football in Europe From left: Haley Bugeja, Francesca Bartolo and Kaysia Micallef Alexandra Gatt, Emma Ciantar Piccinino and Emma Lipman Lexine Farrugia and Maria Farrugia Maya Lucia and Ylenia Carabott