The Magic Of 1979: Throwback To When Malta Kept West Germany At Bay On A Barren Sandy Pitch For A Euro Qualifier
Malta’s footballing past might not be full of trophies and big victories, but 46 years ago, one match went down in the islands’ history books… and it all happened in the most surreal, Maltese way.
On 25th February 1979, Malta hosted West Germany for a Euro 80 qualifier. For context, the German team back then wasn’t just good, as you might expect – they actually went on to win the whole tournament. And as far as qualifying Group 7 went, they absolutely dominated, ending with 10 points and scoring a total of 17 goals while only conceding one. To make matters worse, Malta was set to face West Germany a mere four months after suffering a massive 7-0 defeat to Wales as its first match of the group… but when they came up against the German giants, something was different.
Maybe it was because the Germans were playing away from home. Maybe it was the loud roar of the small but mighty crowd of 8,450 people cheering Malta on. Maybe it was the conditions of Gżira’s Empire Stadium, which was notorious for its barren, sandy pitch. Or maybe it was all of the above.
But by the end of the day, the score remained 0-0, and as Malta put its first and only point on that Euro’s qualifying board, there was definitely a triumphant feeling in the air for the local boys in red.
View this post on Instagram
Malta and West Germany went on to face each other for a second round nearly exactly one year later, on 27th February 1980, this time in Bremen and in front of over 33,000 people. That one didn’t go too well for Malta – West Germany thrashed us 8-0.
But throughout 1979, right after that fateful match in Gżira and no doubt bolstered by its result, Malta only narrowly lost to group runners-up Turkey 2-1 (twice) and avenged that big 7-0 defeat against Wales with a much more respectable 2-0 loss. That last match was also at Gżira’s Empire Stadium. So maybe, it really is about the magic of a home stadium and its very unique conditions.
Share this post if you think more people need to hear about this historic moment for Maltese football.
READ NEXT: Valletta FC Wins Challenge League And Secure Premier League Promotion
