Match InformationThe Team

Ħamrun Outmuscle Valletta in Tight Encounter

November 24, 2025

Ħamrun Spartans 1
Valletta 0
YoHealth Malta Premier League – Top Six, Matchday 1
Player of the Match: Ognjen Bjelicic
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic

Ħamrun Spartans began their Top Six campaign with a vital 1-0 victory over Valletta, temporarily propelling them to the summit of the YoHealth Malta Premier League table.

In a fiercely contested encounter at the National Stadium, the only goal came just minutes into the second half. Substitute Mouad El Fanis drove forward and combined well with Joseph Mbong, whose quick assist found Ognjen Bjelicic. The Serbian defender struck a sublime curling shot past Valletta goalkeeper Adilson Aguero to break the deadlock.

Key Moments:

9’ Valletta’s Yuri Messias forced an early save from Henry Bonello with a powerful free kick.
18’ Valletta appealed for a penalty following a challenge on Messias. Referee Petrovic reviewed the action via Football Video Support but upheld the original decision to play on.
25’ Hamrun created their first major chance when Vincenzo Polito’s through-ball found Saliou Thioune, who was denied by a smart save from Aguero.
45+1’ Valletta were awarded a penalty after a challenge by Emerson Marcelina, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
48’ Bjelicic’s match-winning goal came from a well-constructed move involving El Fanis and Mbong.
66’ Valletta nearly equalized as Steve Borg’s header was saved by Bonello.
77’ Jefferson De Assis spurned a golden opportunity to equalize, firing over from close range.
90’ Valletta’s final attempt came from a dangerous cross that was deflected just wide for a corner.

Celebrating a Milestone

Before kickoff, Ħamrun Spartans CEO Marcel Bonnici presented a commemorative shirt to goalkeeper Henry Bonello, marking his 100th Premier League appearance for the club.

Starting Lineups:

Ħamrun Spartans:
Henry Bonello (C), Rafael Compri, Nicolas Garcia, Sergine Thioune (N’Dri Koffi), Vincenzo Polito, Semir Smajlagic (Domantas Simkus), Jovan Cadenovic (Mouad El Fanis), Ognjen Bjelicic, Merlin Hadzi (Joseph Mbong), Emerson Marcelina, Ryan Camenzuli.

Valletta:
Adilson Aguero, Steve Borg, Brandon Paiber, Jake Azzopardi (Andrea Zammit), Keith Brewer JR, Neil Micallef, Yuri Messias, Sava Radic, Thaylor Aldama (Keyon Ewerum), Jefferson De Assis (Andrei Ciolacu), Jackson Mendoza (Yannick Yankam).