The Maltese Islands will play host to the Swiss and Ukranian Under 21 national football teams next week, after the friendly international match, originally intended to be played in Tunis, was moved to Malta. 

Malta was the preferred alternative agreed upon by the football associations of both the national teams concerned.  

Both teams will be arriving here on Monday 7 February, whereas the game will be played on Wednesday 9 February.  The change of venue was made possible through the concerted efforts of TravelClub - the official travel agent for the Swiss Football Federation, their local representative in Malta, PA Sullivan, and the Malta Tourism Authority office in Switzerland . 

A good deal of cooperation in this regard was also forthcoming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially where visa issues  are involved.

The game being played in Malta next week, albeit a ‘friendly’, is an important test for both teams as they have both qualified for the U- 21 European Championships to be held later on this year in Denmark (11-25June).

It is worth mentioning, also, that Two  Swiss U-21 players - Eren Derdiyok and Xherdan Shaqiri, took part in Switzerland’s World Cup campaign in South Africa, while another up-and-coming star  of Swiss football, Valentin Stocker, has also formed part of the senior team in recent games and has played an active role with Basel during the latter’s campaign in this year’s Champions League group games.

The U-21  Swiss team,  led by their charismatic coach, Pierluigi Tami, shall form part of a larger SFV (Swiss Football Federation) delegation that shall also consist of the senior national team,  led by their famous German coach, Othmar Hitzfeld.

The national team will be facing Malta at The National Stadium, Ta’ Qali, in a friendly international match.