Juventus to Malta in January (6 Viewers)
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Juventus players tour children's wards
Juventus players toured the children's wards at Mater Dei Hospital this morning, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from patients and other supporters.
The players, who included Nedved, Iaquinta, Grygera, Nocerino and Legrottaglie, took time to speak to the patients and posed for pictures.
Juventus are in Malta until tomorrow on a training camp.
Juventus players toured the children's wards at Mater Dei Hospital this morning, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from patients and other supporters.
The players, who included Nedved, Iaquinta, Grygera, Nocerino and Legrottaglie, took time to speak to the patients and posed for pictures.
Juventus are in Malta until tomorrow on a training camp.
Juve players hang their boots to visit children in hospital
It was all contagious smiles and overwhelming excitement at an otherwise sombre environment when five Juventus players forfeited their football boots to visit sick children at Mater Dei Hospital yesterday.
Pavel Nedved, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Nicola Legrottaglie, Antonio Nocerino and Zdenek Grygera, accompanied by team manager Gianluca Pessotto, probably got more than they had bargained for when keen fans infiltrated the wards and they had to stop practically every two paces to sign autographs and pose for photos.
Mobile phone cameras were on overdrive as the five players found the time to visit the patients in what they probably expected to be a private, low-key event, with a philanthropic aim, but for which they received yet another warm welcome from the locals.
The two policemen who made up the hospital security - enough on a normal day but not when it is invaded by unlikely visitors - were unaware of the unannounced arrival of the Bianconeri until an hour before. But things ran relatively smoothly, despite their makeshift arrangements and the convergence of supporters from every angle.
On their arrival, the players joked among each other as they were led down a never-ending corridor in the hospital and turned back to discover a sea of people marching behind them.
"It's like a procession," Nicola Legrottaglie commented to his teammates as the crowd, following hot on their heels, grew longer and thicker.
Pavel Nedved, known to be a man of a few words, said it looked like they were going to walk across the entire hospital and emerge at the other end of it, so long was the corridor - a training session in itself.
But the jests soon stopped once the players entered the Rainbow ward for child cancer patients, dedicating time and affection to the children and their parents at Wonderland, Disneyland and Fairyland, adding that true magic touch.
There was nothing to laugh about there but they managed to bring beaming smiles to everyone's faces and arouse a sense of euphoria in what is predominantly a place of suffering.
"What pushes us to carry out these visits is a deep sensitivity towards difficult situations," Gianluca Pessotto said. Many of the players were parents and could, therefore, identify, he said, adding that they realised what a lot of good and pleasure came out of a simple visit.
"These initiatives can serve to trigger internal mechanisms, chemical reactions, in the patients that could help them face their illness with more determination.
"They are also a means to make it understood that footballers are not only interested in money, cars and women but are close to the people and their suffering; they are more human than they are portrayed to be," he added.
Juventus, he said, was very sensitive to such initiatives, which the team made it a point to embark on in Turin and during their training camps. Such visits were beneficial to both the patients and the players - helping the latter keep their feet on the ground and their sensitivity sharpened.
The emotions were mutual and Nicola Zammit, mother of three-month-old Julian, suffering from a bad cold, was elated by the visit. Her parents were most appreciative of the unexpected encounter with the football stars, who took their time to meet the family.
"They have really brightened our mood and boosted our morale," Ms Zammit said, attempting to calm down.
Adults were not left out either and the players managed to make their way through fans - and staff, who temporarily turned into supporters - to visit Mr Justice Gino Camilleri, a Juventus fanatic, in his hospital room.
When told that Saturday's game against Catania would be a piece of cake, Pavel Nedved was quick to say he hoped so and that it was never that simple.
The players, who lost their friendly match to Valletta FC on Wednesday, also posed for photos with Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier and his daughter, who was about to be discharged from hospital.
Fans besieged them until the last second - even when they had boarded the van and were about to depart. Anything that could be used for an autograph was passed through the closing doors and the patient players did not turn a single one down.
The visit was organised by Renaissance Productions Ltd in collaboration with the Daniel Delicata Memorial Association and involving the Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group.
Times of Malta
It was all contagious smiles and overwhelming excitement at an otherwise sombre environment when five Juventus players forfeited their football boots to visit sick children at Mater Dei Hospital yesterday.
Pavel Nedved, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Nicola Legrottaglie, Antonio Nocerino and Zdenek Grygera, accompanied by team manager Gianluca Pessotto, probably got more than they had bargained for when keen fans infiltrated the wards and they had to stop practically every two paces to sign autographs and pose for photos.
Mobile phone cameras were on overdrive as the five players found the time to visit the patients in what they probably expected to be a private, low-key event, with a philanthropic aim, but for which they received yet another warm welcome from the locals.
The two policemen who made up the hospital security - enough on a normal day but not when it is invaded by unlikely visitors - were unaware of the unannounced arrival of the Bianconeri until an hour before. But things ran relatively smoothly, despite their makeshift arrangements and the convergence of supporters from every angle.
On their arrival, the players joked among each other as they were led down a never-ending corridor in the hospital and turned back to discover a sea of people marching behind them.
"It's like a procession," Nicola Legrottaglie commented to his teammates as the crowd, following hot on their heels, grew longer and thicker.
Pavel Nedved, known to be a man of a few words, said it looked like they were going to walk across the entire hospital and emerge at the other end of it, so long was the corridor - a training session in itself.
But the jests soon stopped once the players entered the Rainbow ward for child cancer patients, dedicating time and affection to the children and their parents at Wonderland, Disneyland and Fairyland, adding that true magic touch.
There was nothing to laugh about there but they managed to bring beaming smiles to everyone's faces and arouse a sense of euphoria in what is predominantly a place of suffering.
"What pushes us to carry out these visits is a deep sensitivity towards difficult situations," Gianluca Pessotto said. Many of the players were parents and could, therefore, identify, he said, adding that they realised what a lot of good and pleasure came out of a simple visit.
"These initiatives can serve to trigger internal mechanisms, chemical reactions, in the patients that could help them face their illness with more determination.
"They are also a means to make it understood that footballers are not only interested in money, cars and women but are close to the people and their suffering; they are more human than they are portrayed to be," he added.
Juventus, he said, was very sensitive to such initiatives, which the team made it a point to embark on in Turin and during their training camps. Such visits were beneficial to both the patients and the players - helping the latter keep their feet on the ground and their sensitivity sharpened.
The emotions were mutual and Nicola Zammit, mother of three-month-old Julian, suffering from a bad cold, was elated by the visit. Her parents were most appreciative of the unexpected encounter with the football stars, who took their time to meet the family.
"They have really brightened our mood and boosted our morale," Ms Zammit said, attempting to calm down.
Adults were not left out either and the players managed to make their way through fans - and staff, who temporarily turned into supporters - to visit Mr Justice Gino Camilleri, a Juventus fanatic, in his hospital room.
When told that Saturday's game against Catania would be a piece of cake, Pavel Nedved was quick to say he hoped so and that it was never that simple.
The players, who lost their friendly match to Valletta FC on Wednesday, also posed for photos with Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier and his daughter, who was about to be discharged from hospital.
Fans besieged them until the last second - even when they had boarded the van and were about to depart. Anything that could be used for an autograph was passed through the closing doors and the patient players did not turn a single one down.
The visit was organised by Renaissance Productions Ltd in collaboration with the Daniel Delicata Memorial Association and involving the Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group.
Times of Malta
Inter fan Mifsud thrilled by City showing
Valletta have achieved the rare feat of claiming a share of the sporting limelight in a week when the headlines have been dominated by events surrounding Juventus's training camp in Malta.
Wednesday night's friendly between minnows Valletta and the Old Lady ought to have been the highlight of Juve's stay in Malta. In many ways it was, only that the encore was surely not in keeping with pre-match expectations.
Thousands of Juventus fans had driven to Ta' Qali with high hopes of witnessing a football fiesta by Claudio Ranieri's men at the expense of the locals but Valletta earned the plaudits for a gallant performance.
Their efforts paid off spectacularly as Valletta not only succeeded in giving their opponents a rough ride, they finished the game on a par at 1-1 before landing the inaugural Betfair Cup on penalties.
Juventus are unlikely to lose sleep over their failure to win a friendly match, what with an important Serie A match away to Catania awaiting them tomorrow, but at the same time, no-one should begrudge Valletta their moment of international prominence for they thoroughly deserve it.
Josef Mifsud, who had an outstanding match in the heart of Valletta's rearguard, had good cause to be happy on Wednesday.
"The result is certainly a prestigious one for Valletta," Mifsud told The Times. "Before the match, no-one thought Valletta were capable of producing a positive performance against a strong team like Juventus but we were all determined to give a good account of ourselves.
"Our desire to do well against Juventus was fuelled by a number of factors. There was the element of prestige about playing one of Europe's top sides but we also wanted to demonstrate that our improvement in the league was no fluke."
It was crystal-clear on Wednesday that Valletta, the leaders of the Premier League, were up for the challenge as they showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the fame and pedigree of their opponents.
"Once the game started, we settled down quickly," Mifsud added. "Our self-belief increased as the game progressed and our performance on the day was very positive.
"I've heard comments about Juventus not trying hard enough to win the match but no-one likes to lose, especially a team of such calibre and reputation.
"Juventus cannot be accused of lacking commitment as they created a string of chances and grew increasingly frustrated towards the end of the match."
Central defenders are not generally perceived as the best penalty takers but Mifsud dispelled such notion on Wednesday by coolly placing the ball low past Emanuele Belardi, Juventus's reserve goalkeeper, in the shoot-out.
His successful conversion from the 11-metre spot gave the 23-year-old Malta defender double cause for celebration for Mifsud's favourite foreign team is Inter, Juve's bitter Serie A rivals.
"The coach came round to see which players were willing to take a penalty," Mifsud said. "I fancied having a go because I felt confident of scoring. I was delighted and relieved at the same time when the ball went in. I was pleased to have kept Valletta's perfect record in the shoot-out intact and pleased to have scored against Juventus because I sympathise with Inter."
The other scorers for Valletta from the penalty spot were Ian Zammit, who supports Manchester United, Claude Mattocks, who likes Juventus, and Dyson Falzon, a Liverpool fan.
Valletta celebrated their victory by parading the glimmering Betfair Cup in front of their joyous fans. Their satisfaction was more than justified but Mifsud insisted that it's crucial that this happy occasion does not distort Valletta's focus.
"The team's morale is sky-high," Mifsud said. "We celebrated our good showing against Juventus as if we had won an important honour and I truly hope that this match stands us in good stead.
"Yet, we cannot afford to become complacent because there is still a long way to go in the league. However, I believe that Valletta have shown that we have what it takes to challenge seriously for the title."
Raffaele Palladino, Juve's emerging stalwart who entered the fray in the second half, preferred to talk on the positive side of his team's outing at the National Stadium.
"It was a pleasure for us to play here in front of our fans, for it felt like we were playing at home," Palladino told reporters after the match.
"Yet, our focus is already on Saturday's game (against Catania)."
Asked if he was disappointed about the result, Palladino replied: "I'm not disappointed. We tried to do our best but it was not easy because we have worked hard in the last few days. We are satisfied as this friendly was like a training session for us. Obviously, Valletta played well and deserve credit for their performance."
"Bad in the friendly but good in the league, this experience could be a good omen for Juventus," an Italian reporter suggested.
"Today we've lost but Saturday's match is far more important," Palladino said. "I hope this defeat will spur us to victory this weekend."
The young Italy international commented favourably on Juve's training camp in Malta.
"We are happy because we've got to know the Maltese fans who have shown us great affection," Palladino said. "We're also content to have visited this fantastic island where we have trained hard in readiness for Saturday's game as well as the remaining fixtures in January."
Amabile Zammit, director of Renaissance Productions Limited, the organisers of Juve's training camp in Malta, also sounded pleased about Wednesday's friendly.
"It was a memorable football night," Zammit said. "I'm delighted and proud about Valletta's excellent showing in this friendly match against Juventus. Their performance tonight has helped to raise the profile of Maltese football abroad."
Times of Malta
Valletta have achieved the rare feat of claiming a share of the sporting limelight in a week when the headlines have been dominated by events surrounding Juventus's training camp in Malta.
Wednesday night's friendly between minnows Valletta and the Old Lady ought to have been the highlight of Juve's stay in Malta. In many ways it was, only that the encore was surely not in keeping with pre-match expectations.
Thousands of Juventus fans had driven to Ta' Qali with high hopes of witnessing a football fiesta by Claudio Ranieri's men at the expense of the locals but Valletta earned the plaudits for a gallant performance.
Their efforts paid off spectacularly as Valletta not only succeeded in giving their opponents a rough ride, they finished the game on a par at 1-1 before landing the inaugural Betfair Cup on penalties.
Juventus are unlikely to lose sleep over their failure to win a friendly match, what with an important Serie A match away to Catania awaiting them tomorrow, but at the same time, no-one should begrudge Valletta their moment of international prominence for they thoroughly deserve it.
Josef Mifsud, who had an outstanding match in the heart of Valletta's rearguard, had good cause to be happy on Wednesday.
"The result is certainly a prestigious one for Valletta," Mifsud told The Times. "Before the match, no-one thought Valletta were capable of producing a positive performance against a strong team like Juventus but we were all determined to give a good account of ourselves.
"Our desire to do well against Juventus was fuelled by a number of factors. There was the element of prestige about playing one of Europe's top sides but we also wanted to demonstrate that our improvement in the league was no fluke."
It was crystal-clear on Wednesday that Valletta, the leaders of the Premier League, were up for the challenge as they showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the fame and pedigree of their opponents.
"Once the game started, we settled down quickly," Mifsud added. "Our self-belief increased as the game progressed and our performance on the day was very positive.
"I've heard comments about Juventus not trying hard enough to win the match but no-one likes to lose, especially a team of such calibre and reputation.
"Juventus cannot be accused of lacking commitment as they created a string of chances and grew increasingly frustrated towards the end of the match."
Central defenders are not generally perceived as the best penalty takers but Mifsud dispelled such notion on Wednesday by coolly placing the ball low past Emanuele Belardi, Juventus's reserve goalkeeper, in the shoot-out.
His successful conversion from the 11-metre spot gave the 23-year-old Malta defender double cause for celebration for Mifsud's favourite foreign team is Inter, Juve's bitter Serie A rivals.
"The coach came round to see which players were willing to take a penalty," Mifsud said. "I fancied having a go because I felt confident of scoring. I was delighted and relieved at the same time when the ball went in. I was pleased to have kept Valletta's perfect record in the shoot-out intact and pleased to have scored against Juventus because I sympathise with Inter."
The other scorers for Valletta from the penalty spot were Ian Zammit, who supports Manchester United, Claude Mattocks, who likes Juventus, and Dyson Falzon, a Liverpool fan.
Valletta celebrated their victory by parading the glimmering Betfair Cup in front of their joyous fans. Their satisfaction was more than justified but Mifsud insisted that it's crucial that this happy occasion does not distort Valletta's focus.
"The team's morale is sky-high," Mifsud said. "We celebrated our good showing against Juventus as if we had won an important honour and I truly hope that this match stands us in good stead.
"Yet, we cannot afford to become complacent because there is still a long way to go in the league. However, I believe that Valletta have shown that we have what it takes to challenge seriously for the title."
Raffaele Palladino, Juve's emerging stalwart who entered the fray in the second half, preferred to talk on the positive side of his team's outing at the National Stadium.
"It was a pleasure for us to play here in front of our fans, for it felt like we were playing at home," Palladino told reporters after the match.
"Yet, our focus is already on Saturday's game (against Catania)."
Asked if he was disappointed about the result, Palladino replied: "I'm not disappointed. We tried to do our best but it was not easy because we have worked hard in the last few days. We are satisfied as this friendly was like a training session for us. Obviously, Valletta played well and deserve credit for their performance."
"Bad in the friendly but good in the league, this experience could be a good omen for Juventus," an Italian reporter suggested.
"Today we've lost but Saturday's match is far more important," Palladino said. "I hope this defeat will spur us to victory this weekend."
The young Italy international commented favourably on Juve's training camp in Malta.
"We are happy because we've got to know the Maltese fans who have shown us great affection," Palladino said. "We're also content to have visited this fantastic island where we have trained hard in readiness for Saturday's game as well as the remaining fixtures in January."
Amabile Zammit, director of Renaissance Productions Limited, the organisers of Juve's training camp in Malta, also sounded pleased about Wednesday's friendly.
"It was a memorable football night," Zammit said. "I'm delighted and proud about Valletta's excellent showing in this friendly match against Juventus. Their performance tonight has helped to raise the profile of Maltese football abroad."
Times of Malta
Italian media criticise Juve's performance
The performance of Juventus during Wednesday's Betfair Cup match against Valletta at the National Stadium received negative reviews in the Italian media yesterday.
The Serie A giants were surprisingly beaten by the Citizens 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw at the end of normal time.
La Gazzetta dello Sport website gave prominence to last Wednesday's friendly at the National Stadium.
Under the heading "Juventus opaca a Malta (Juventus opaque in Malta)" the Italian paper described Juventus's performance as below-par, adding that "they have started the 2008 on a very low note".
La Gazzetta said Juventus suffered a physical decline in the final part of the match.
"The last 10 minutes were the most difficult for Juventus," the paper said, "as the Valletta players became more aggressive but failed to finalise their chances."
Il Corriere dello Sport praised the stiff challenge Valletta gave Juve on Wednesday.
The report, titled "Juve deludente, soltanto 1-1 a Malta" (Disappointing Juve, only a 1-1 draw in Malta) said Juventus failed to see off the stiff challenge of Valletta and were beaten in a penalty shoot-out.
The paper identified a few positives for Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri, most notably "the condition of most of the players in the squad as most of them managed to play at least 45 minutes, while Marchionni and Grygera were on the field for the whole 90 minutes."
Another Italian sports paper, Controcampo, said that there was no joy for Juventus in their opening match of 2008. Journalist Tiziana Sapienza wrote: "This match may have been a friendly but if you are Juventus, you cannot afford to suffer such embarrassment."
The newspaper also had words of praise for the battling spirit shown by the Valletta players.
"The home team did their utmost to come out of the game with their heads held high," the report said. "They battled for every ball and managed to close all avenues for a Juventus team who were looking to rediscover their best form just before their Serie A campaign resumes on Saturday at Catania."
Turin-based newspaper TuttoSport branded Juventus' approach to the match as "too friendly".
In the match report, written by Elvira Erbi, the paper sought to play down the disappointment of Juventus' defeat by highlighting the Bianconeri's tendency to underperform in warm-up matches, quoting coach Claudio Ranieri as saying: "We never go beyond a draw... but at least the physical condition is there."
TuttoSport claimed that the approach of the Valletta players was anything but complimentary with Alessandro Del Piero "being continuosly kicked by his opponents" while Alessandro Birindelli and Sergio Almiron were also "caught in skirmishes with aggressive opponents".
It was only in the final two sentences of the report that the author conceded that Juventus had disappointed their fans by "failing to deliver".
Times of Malta
The performance of Juventus during Wednesday's Betfair Cup match against Valletta at the National Stadium received negative reviews in the Italian media yesterday.
The Serie A giants were surprisingly beaten by the Citizens 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw at the end of normal time.
La Gazzetta dello Sport website gave prominence to last Wednesday's friendly at the National Stadium.
Under the heading "Juventus opaca a Malta (Juventus opaque in Malta)" the Italian paper described Juventus's performance as below-par, adding that "they have started the 2008 on a very low note".
La Gazzetta said Juventus suffered a physical decline in the final part of the match.
"The last 10 minutes were the most difficult for Juventus," the paper said, "as the Valletta players became more aggressive but failed to finalise their chances."
Il Corriere dello Sport praised the stiff challenge Valletta gave Juve on Wednesday.
The report, titled "Juve deludente, soltanto 1-1 a Malta" (Disappointing Juve, only a 1-1 draw in Malta) said Juventus failed to see off the stiff challenge of Valletta and were beaten in a penalty shoot-out.
The paper identified a few positives for Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri, most notably "the condition of most of the players in the squad as most of them managed to play at least 45 minutes, while Marchionni and Grygera were on the field for the whole 90 minutes."
Another Italian sports paper, Controcampo, said that there was no joy for Juventus in their opening match of 2008. Journalist Tiziana Sapienza wrote: "This match may have been a friendly but if you are Juventus, you cannot afford to suffer such embarrassment."
The newspaper also had words of praise for the battling spirit shown by the Valletta players.
"The home team did their utmost to come out of the game with their heads held high," the report said. "They battled for every ball and managed to close all avenues for a Juventus team who were looking to rediscover their best form just before their Serie A campaign resumes on Saturday at Catania."
Turin-based newspaper TuttoSport branded Juventus' approach to the match as "too friendly".
In the match report, written by Elvira Erbi, the paper sought to play down the disappointment of Juventus' defeat by highlighting the Bianconeri's tendency to underperform in warm-up matches, quoting coach Claudio Ranieri as saying: "We never go beyond a draw... but at least the physical condition is there."
TuttoSport claimed that the approach of the Valletta players was anything but complimentary with Alessandro Del Piero "being continuosly kicked by his opponents" while Alessandro Birindelli and Sergio Almiron were also "caught in skirmishes with aggressive opponents".
It was only in the final two sentences of the report that the author conceded that Juventus had disappointed their fans by "failing to deliver".
Times of Malta