View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C
Vinny 7:51 Mon Jul 20

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View From The Opposition – Birkirkara

West Ham face Maltese side Birkirkara in their next competitive game in the 2nd leg of the Europa League 2nd Qualifying round.

The first leg finished 1-0 to West Ham with James Tomkins scoring the only goal in the 90th minute.

West Ham struggled to get going in the first leg despite naming a very strong starting line up and if the hope was to ease through with a comfortable lead going into the 2nd leg manager Slaven Bilic will know that the team he picks will again need to be filled with the majority of first team players.

West Ham fans will travel to Malta for Thursdays game with 3000 tickets being made available with the game moved to the Maltese national stadium.

We have caught up with Birkirkara FC fan Matthew Pace who has kindly answered some questions leading up to the game.

What did you make of the first leg?

Although West Ham were always on top, I think my team did us proud of managing to hold West Ham till the dying seconds. And you cannot not
mention the great display by Justin Haber!

Can you tell us a little bit about Birkirkara and it's history?

Although formed in 1916, Birkirkara Football Club's first major honour came in 1999 when winning the MFA Euro Challenge Cup. Since then we won 20 major honours the last one being the BOV Super Cup in 2014. We won the FA Trophy 5 times, the Super Cup 7 times, the Euro Challenge Cup 3 times, Super 5 Cup 3 times and the BOV Premier League 4 times.


What are the supporters of Birkirkara like? How do they compare to other teams in Malta?

Birkirkara Supporters are very passionate supporters, we love our team very much and nowadays always have high hopes for every season to be successful. From me, obviously we have one if not the best support in Malta with Valletta also having good support.


Who are are Birkirkara players we should look out for?

At the moment we have a lot of good players both young and experienced and most of them also play for our Maltese National team. One of my favourite players is Justin Haber our goalkeeper, been with us for a long time and is very experienced. Other players West Ham should look out for is Rowen Muscat which came out of our nursery and Paul Fenech who has been with us since 2008. But I think, our star man this year has to be Fabrizo Miccoli who has previously played for Juventus and Palermo. He also played for the Italian national team under Giovanni Trapattoni.


Did you know much about West Ham United and were you pleased with the draw?

Yes, I have a few good friends who support West Ham Untied and know a few things about them especially having produced great players like Rio Fredinand, Micheal Carrick and Frank Lampard. I was very pleased with the draw since West Ham Untied are such a big club and its very exciting to play against them. I'm looking forward to it!


Are there any West Ham players you are looking forward to seeing play?

Looking that I love players to stay loyal to their club, i'd love to see Mark Noble play against us! I love he's style of play and passion too, you don't find that very often any more.


What tips do you have for West Ham fans travelling to Malta for the 2nd leg?

Malta is a very small island with alot to do especially in the summer. St. Julians and Buggiba are 2 of the main places to go were you can find lots of bars and restaurants and also great beaches were you can have a swim. If you'll be coming to Malta I also suggest to try our local beer Cisk which for me is one of the best beers you can ever taste.


Who is the best player to have ever played for Birkirkara?

In my opinion the best ever player to play for us is Chucks Nwoko. Chucks Nwoko is Nigerian and he joined our Club in August 1995. The offensive midfielder made his debut in the 1-0 defeat against Floriana which was played on 26 August, 1995. Three awards in one season quickly became four. Despite the disappointment of losing the league in the very last match against Valletta, Chucks Nwoko had some consolation by clinching the Player of the Month award for May 1998.


Do Birkirkara supporters encounter any trouble with other fans on their travels either at home in Malta or away in Europe?

Away on our travels we don't encounter much trouble. In think the most trouble we have is when we play one of our local rivals Valletta FC. Every time we play each other it will always be a heated contest especially in the title deciders for the Maltese Premier League Trophy.


What is your prediction for the 2nd leg?

My heart is saying a 2-1 win but my head is going for a draw!




Massive thanks to Matthew for answering the questions and providing the View from the opposition.

Also a big thank you to the Maltese Hammers who put me in touch. I will do something on the Maltese Hammers before Thursdays game also.




Twitter @vinnywhufc

Blog - vinnywhufc.wordpress.com

ChesterRd 7:55 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Well done Vinny, good read.

Far Cough 7:56 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Thanks Vinny

One McAvennieeeeee 7:56 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

World class son.

Good stuff.

ironsofcanada 7:56 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Thank you. Always enjoy these.

Buster 7:58 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Top drawer, Vincent.

Great stuff as always.

claret on my shirt 8:00 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

seemed a good guy

Hello Mrs. Jones 8:12 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Looking forward to seeing Mark Noble. Obviously knows nothing about football.

HairySpotter 8:16 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Are there any West Ham players you are looking forward to seeing play?

Looking that I love players to stay loyal to their club, i'd love to see Mark Noble play against us! I love he's style of play and passion too, you don't find that very often any more.


LOST ME ON THAT ONE

Jasnik 8:38 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Thanks Vinny .

stomper 8:51 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Loving your work here Vinny

Marco Boogers 8:51 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Hairyspotter - What that Noble is loyal and loves the club? Made perfect sense to me.

RichyP 9:11 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Cheers Vinny. I like that in both his heart and head he thinks we're going through (i assume away goals count as double?)

whufcroe 9:22 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Bravo Vinny, top class

Stranded 9:24 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Cheers Vinny.

Josh 9:27 Mon Jul 20
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Superb stuff. Thanks Vinny.

It seems he's a good judge of player.

united we stand 1:00 Tue Jul 21
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Ta vinny

mallard 1:05 Tue Jul 21
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Vinny, your contributions to this site are priceless



Don't Stop

chim chim cha boo 1:24 Tue Jul 21
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Thanks Vinny, this bloke sounds like a good boy-not like some of the utter cunts from fellow premier league clubs who usually do these.

I'd give their keeper an honorable mention too- from where I was sitting his save from Tomkins' overhead chip onto Maiga's head looked world class.

Any of you culture vultures going to Valletta (a slim, slim chance I know) pop into St Paul's Co-Cathedral and check out Carravagio's The beheading of John The Baptist. Huge and gory masterpiece by one of the world's greatest ever artists. He painted it while on the run from Rome after he murdered his lover's tennis coach. All his last stuff was bleak and spare. He was murdered shortly after trying to sneak back into Italy.

Also check out the gold gates in there that they painted black to avoid getting looted by the Nazis. Valletta is lovely considering it was the most bombed city on Earth during the siege of Malta in WW2. The food's great too, as it should be being only 70 miles from Sicilly.

Alfs 2:23 Tue Jul 21
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

I didn't know Fordstar lived in Malta!

Texas Iron 3:03 Tue Jul 21
Re: View From The Opposition - Birkirkara F.C

Good job Vinny &fan...

Beware Miccoli a true goalscorer...

Remember him on the Pink Palermo team that knocked us out before...

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