After the euphoria which accompanied Malta's historic and richly deserved 2-1 victory against Hungary last month, it is now the turn of Lithuania to play in Malta in a friendly which closes this year's series of matches.
Today's friendly at the Hibernians Ground (kick-off 2pm) is being looked at by national coach Dusan Fitzel as a match in which he expects his players to show continuity.
More positive results, even if today's match is a friendly, will provide the required confidence for the whole clan and even the fans will return to give their full support to the national team which, after all, is the team of everyone who has Malta at heart.
The victory over Hungary did a lot towards reassuring the fans that the national team was again alive and kicking. In fact, it was not just the result which made us happy on that particular day. We also saw our team perform well – it was an excellent performance from start to finish which could have produced a 4-1 win for Malta, at least.
Of course, no one can expect our team to win every time it plays. But with our players' morale sky high after the Hungary win, it will be no surprise that our boys will again rise to the occasion and give the stronger Lithuania a good run for their money.
However, first of all, let us not forget that just two months ago, our opponents today managed to hold world champions Italy to a 1-1 draw away from home and that is enough to make our players realise that they have to keep their feet to the ground.
Moreover, the fact that since the Hungary match most of the players have been inactive as the League has had a break due to the resurfacing of our pitches, is certainly not a good omen. In fact, I fear that the momentum gained through that famous result might not be kept and even Fitzel himself said he had never faced such a situation where most of his squad was inactive for a good number of weeks.
In any case, the Czech coach is not expected to make several changes to the side which beat Hungary last month, although most of the 18 will play at any time, including goalie Hogg who will therefore make his debut.. Goalkeeper Haber and defender Luke Dimech are not available and will have to be replaced.
Mario Muscat of Hibernians is expected to earn his place between the posts while Dimech's place in the heart of the defence will probably go to Ian Azzopardi. In that case, the latter will probably be used on the right flank allowing Stephen Wellman to take over Dimech's place in the centre.
Fitzel also has striker Ivan Woods and defender Ian Ciantar available once again. Both were unavailable for the Hungary match.
Fitzel's line-up should not differ much from the following:
M. Muscat (Hibernians), I. Ciantar (Sliema W.), Brian Said (Sliema W.), K. Scicluna (Birkirkara), S. Wellman (Marsaxlokk); G. Agius (Valletta), K. Sammut (Marsaxlokk), J. Pace (Marsaxlokk), G. Mallia (Birkirkara); M. Mifsud (Lillestrom), A. Schembri (Marsaxlokk). Substitutes: A. Hogg (Pieta), I. Azzopardi (Floriana), R. Bajada (Sliema W.), P. Pullicino (Msida SJ), I. Woods (Sliema W.), T. Scerri (Hibernians), A. Cohen (Hibernians)