Spartans Seal Return to Europe with Derby Win Over Valletta
Valletta 0 — 2 Ħamrun Spartans
YoHealth Malta Premier League — Third & Fourth Place Play-Off
The Spartans rounded off a long and historic campaign in the best possible way, sweeping aside rivals Valletta 2-0 to book a place in next season’s UEFA Conference League. The two sides met in the third-and-fourth-place decider after both fell in their respective semi-finals last weekend, and it was Ħamrun who held their nerve when European football was on the line.
Bjørn’s side were without the injured Ryan Camenzuli, while Emerson Marcelina marked a significant personal milestone — his 250th appearance in the Maltese Premier League.
A lightning start
There was barely time for the contest to settle. Inside the opening 19 seconds, captain Matthew Guillaumier delivered an inviting cross and Joseph Mbong rose to glance a header up and over a stranded Julani Archibald to put the Spartans in front before Valletta had touched the ball.
The early blow left the opposition rattled, and it was no surprise when the second arrived in the 7th minute. Mbong was the architect again, picking out Colombian forward Damir Ceter, who powered a close-range header beyond Archibald to double the advantage.
Valletta gradually found their footing and tested Francisco Da Paz through Diogo Tavares from a tight angle on 18 minutes, while efforts from Brandon Paiber (25′) and Ahmed Basher (31′) failed to trouble the target. On 38 minutes Ħamrun appealed for the referee to consult the FVS after Rafael Compri appeared to be impeded while bearing down on goal, but Alex Johnson waved play on after reviewing the incident. The Spartans went in at the break two goals to the good.
Seeing it out
Valletta started the second half with intent, Paiber drawing a smart low save from Da Paz from a free-kick on 52 minutes. Ħamrun responded through Ederson Bruno Domingos, whose long-range thunderbolt was deflected behind for a corner on the hour mark.
The opposition had their own FVS appeal turned down on 65 minutes when a Yuri De Jesus Messias strike appeared to brush Marcelina’s hand inside the box, but the referee saw no infringement. The Spartans continued to look the more dangerous side: Matias Garcia forced another stop from Archibald with a first-time effort on 71 minutes, while late chances for Ceter (85′) and Mbong (86′) were both denied by the Valletta keeper.
The 2-0 scoreline never looked in doubt, and the final whistle confirmed a return to the European stage.
A fitting end to a landmark season
This was the final match of a remarkable campaign for the Spartans — one that took the club into the league phase of the UEFA Conference League alongside a demanding domestic schedule. Ending such a long season with a derby win and European qualification secured is a result the whole Ħamrun family can be proud of.
Match Details
Ħamrun Spartans: Francisco Celio Da Paz Silva; Rafael Compri (Ivan Inzoudine 41′), Sven Xerri, Matthew Guillaumier, Matias Nicolas Garcia (Danilo Bulevardi 91′); Joseph Essien Mbong, Vincenzo Polito, Rick Serber (Ognjen Bjelicic 62′, Shaisen Attard 91′); Damir Ceter (Blessing Eleke 91′), Ederson Bruno Domingos, Emerson Marcelina.
Valletta: Julani Archibald; Steve Borg, Brandon Paiber, Diogo Tavares, Ahmed Basher, Emmanuel Moise Mbende, Yuri De Jesus Messias, Sava Radic (Mathias Ellul 46′), Thaylor Aldama, Jackson Mendoza (Andrea Zammit 46′), Jake Azzopardi (Yannick Yankam 72′).
Goals: Joseph Mbong 1′, Damir Ceter 7′
Referee: Alex Johnson
Player of the Match: Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans)
Sources:
TVM Sport — Ħamrun Spartans jiksbu post fil-kompetizzjonijiet Ewropej
Times of Malta — Hamrun Spartans see off Valletta to seal European qualification
