Maltese media, covering the return match between “Hamrun Spartans” and Kyiv’s “Dynamo,” which ended with a score of 3:0 in favor of the Ukrainians (the aggregate score of the confrontation was 6:0), unanimously recognized the overwhelming superiority of “Dynamo” and expressed disappointment but at the same time pride, as well as pride, in the qualification round of the Champions League. After losing the first match, everyone realized that repeating the miracle that happened in the game against “Zalgiris” would not be possible, but deep down hoped that “Hamrun” could at least play for a draw.
Times of Malta
“Impartial ‘Dynamo’ punished the Spartans,” - the largest Maltese publication Times of Malta in its report on the first match emphasized the difference in class between the teams, and after the return match, their rhetoric remained unchanged. Journalists noted that “Dynamo,” even playing with a practically second-string team, demonstrated “cold-blooded efficiency and tactical discipline.”
“Hamrun” tried to resist, but their moments were rare and did not pose a real threat to the Kyiv goal. “The difference in class was obvious, as in the first match. ‘Dynamo’ left us no chances, even without using full strength,” the journalist concluded. Special attention was paid to the capabilities of “Dynamo,” where even young and inexperienced players outperformed the best players of “Hamrun.” The journalist highlighted the attacking players of “Dynamo,” whose speed and technique proved to be an insurmountable challenge for the Maltese defense.
MaltaFootball: “The Ukrainian giant showed its superiority,” - the journalist from the site MaltaFootball in his analysis focused on the total domination of “Dynamo” throughout all 90 minutes. “Hamrun” again found itself in a defensive position, forced to spend most of the time on its half of the field. The journalist noted that the “Ukrainian giants” under the guidance of Oleksandr Shovkovskyi demonstrated “devastating superiority,” especially in the second half when “Hamrun” finally lost hope for a comeback. The journalist emphasized that “Dynamo” had already secured its place in the third round after the first match, and the return match only confirmed their status as clear favorites. “For ‘Hamrun,’ this was a valuable lesson, but their historic entrance into the second round will remain in the memories of fans,” the author added.
Net News
“A devastating blow of class - again,” - the journalist from the publication Net News, who analyzed the first match as a “devastating blow of class” from “Dynamo,” continued this line in the report on the return match. The journalist noted that “Hamrun” started the game with an aggressive attitude, trying to press, but “Dynamo” quickly took control of the game, using its physical and technical advantages. “Even the second team of the Ukrainians proved to be too strong for the Spartans. Their youth plays with the confidence of experienced players, which speaks to the quality of the Ukrainian football school,” the publication wrote. Special attention was paid to “Dynamo” players like Vanat and Brazhko, whose actions on the field became decisive.
Maltese media unanimously recognized that “Hamrun” had practically no chances against “Dynamo.” Journalists emphasized the difference in class, stressing that even the second-string team of Kyiv looked like a team at the level of top European leagues. At the same time, the publication expressed pride in “Hamrun,” which, despite the loss, managed to achieve a historic entrance to the second qualifying round by defeating Lithuanian “Zalgiris” in the first round. “We faced a Ukrainian giant, and it was a match that showed how high the level of the Champions League is,” noted Times of Malta. Many articles contained a note of disappointment, but without attempts to soften the loss. Journalists urged fans to realize that “coming back from a 0:3 in the first match was practically impossible, and 6:0 on aggregate only confirms the gap between the teams.” At the same time, the media highly appreciated the efforts of “Hamrun” under Italian coach Giacomo Modica, who managed to elevate the club to a new level despite limited resources and a modest budget (the total transfer value of the “Hamrun” squad is estimated at 4.41 million euros compared to one player from “Dynamo,” Taras Mykhavyk).
Dmytro Malyanov
