Malta lauded by media for surprise Euro 2008 win

VALLETTA, Oct 12 (Reuters) Malta's surprise 2-1 victory over Hungary in a Euro 2008 qualifier yesterday was greeted ecstatically by the country's media today.

Malta chalked up their first win in a Euro qualifier for 24 years, their first competitive win on home soil in 31 years and their first competitive victory since a World Cup qualifier in 1993.

Under the headline ''Malta conquer Hungary'' The Times made reference to the scenes of joy witnessed at the National Stadium.

''Complimenting fighting spirit with constructive football, the red-shirted players managed to inscribe their names in the history of the local game by giving Malta its first competitive victory since the 1-0 away defeat of Estonia in a World Cup qualifier in 1993,'' The Times wrote.

Andre Schembri scored twice for the Maltese to give them their first points in Group C.

Hungary had equalised through Sandor Torghelle but were put on the backfoot by the 38th-minute dismissal of defender Vilmos Vanczak for a late tackle on striker Michael Mifsud.

In-Nazzjon, one of two daily newspapers in Maltese, led with ''Little Malta belittles Hungary... thank you''.

''Malta shines and dominates,'' read the headline of l-orizzont while The Malta Independent opted for the more conventional title of ''Schembri strikes twice to lead Malta to memorable win.'' Malta Football Association president Joe Mifsud, also a member of UEFA's Executive Committee, said the victory ranked as one of the high points of his administrative career.

''There were high emotions in our dressing room after the match.

It's not easy for our small nation to beat a strong team like Hungary,'' he said.

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