The Malta Under-21 National Team will bring its 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign to a close on Tuesday evening, when it faces Latvia at the Daugava Stadium in Riga.
Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm CET, with Malta heading into the final fixture looking to build on an encouraging performance against Germany in their previous outing. Despite suffering a 4-1 defeat to the group leaders, Malta produced a determined display at the Centenary Stadium, with the performance earning praise from the German camp.
For Coach Davide Mazzotta, the positive aspects of that performance can provide confidence, but he has reminded his players that Latvia will present a completely different challenge.
“Yes, I’m sure that the performance against Germany left a very positive impression on my players. The compliments received from the German coach were heartening, but at the same time we must acknowledge that in terms of classification we are still on zero points,” Mazzotta said.
For the Malta U21 players, the encounter with Germany also provided valuable experience against opponents competing at the highest level of European football.
“It was a great experience to face contemporaries who play in the best European clubs and some of whom even in the Champions League,” Mazzotta explained.
However, the Malta coach has warned his players not to allow the performance against Germany to influence their approach to Tuesday’s encounter, with Latvia having already defeated Malta in the reverse fixture.
“I have already warned my team that this is now a completely different game, against adversaries who have watched our last match and seen us in action against Germany and therefore I expect a very tough match,” he said.
“They are a very solid team and have shown their potential throughout the whole tournament. They have already beaten us in Malta and so away we must play at our best to overturn that result and close our commitments on a positive note.”
Mazzotta is therefore demanding the maximum commitment from his players as they look to conclude the campaign on a positive note.
“I’m requesting the maximum sense of self-sacrifice and their full commitment,” he added.
Looking back at the qualifying campaign as a whole, Mazzotta expressed his satisfaction with the development of the group and the work carried out by the coaching staff in implementing a new direction.
“I’m very satisfied with the manner in which all the staff have followed the new direction we have given them and how over time we have managed to transmit it to our players,” he said.
“The task I was handed was to develop and grow the team dynamics and I can safely say that I have given my 300%.”
For Mazzotta, Tuesday’s final qualifier represents another opportunity for the players to demonstrate the progress made during the campaign, while also showing that they are ready to make the step towards senior international football.
“For tomorrow’s match I expect from all of us a true demonstration that we deserve to be called the Malta Under 21 National Team and, most importantly, that they are ready when called upon for the National A Team,” he said.
“I want a performance which is mature and shows our improvement and the strong character we have built.”
The Malta U21 National Team’s final UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier against Latvia kicks off at 6pm CET at the Daugava Stadium in Riga on Tuesday 6 October 2026. The match will be broadcast live on TVMSport+.
Source: MFA
Photo: MFA
