Episode Notes Ildefons Lima is not only Andorra's national team captain, he's also a world record holder. But the 40-year-old footballer who is so beloved in his country is currently in an awkward situation, in a tug-of-war with Andorra's football federation over its COVID-19 protocols. He speaks to Gianluca Lia about that issue and more. Note: This interview is in Italian.

Former Malta international Jacob Borg looks back on a career that saw him represent the likes of Sliema Wanderers, Gżira United, Balzan as well as Finn Harps in Ireland. In this interview, he tells Times of Malta's Gianluca Lia that he is currently taken a step back from football while evaluating some offers, and discusses life during the coronavirus pandemic in Australia, where he is living.

Harry Ascroft now plays in Australia's second-tier after a spell with Finn Harps of Ireland, where he played with former Malta player Jacob Borg. He speaks to Gianluca Lia about that experience as well as his time with Balzan, with whom he played in the UEFA Europa League. Ascroft speaks about the COVID-19 situation in Australia and how football is trying to restart there.

Giulio Ghidotti is an Italian journalist from Bergamo who covers Atalanta and Albinoleffe. He speaks to Gianluca Lia about the coronavirus situation in Bergamo and the slow return to normality in the Italian region. Ghidotti also had a huge connection with Malta through journalism and in this interview he describes what the country means to him.

Joe Ellul has had a positive season as a defender for Maidenhead, but his club and teammates are still unsure how the pandemic-affected season will pan out for them. What will the future hold for the lower league defender? Gianluca Lia speaks to him.

As the debate rages about what will happen to the 2019-20 season, Valletta FC vice-president Alex Fenech tells Valhmor Camilleri that if the BOV Premier League is cancelled it will have serious repercussions on the future of Maltese football.

Former Sevilla star Diego Capel only managed four games in Maltese football before the coronavirus brought sporting activities to a halt. Now he is keeping fit, getting used to life in Malta and hoping to see football - and life - return to normal as soon as possible.  He speaks to Gianluca Lia about his experience so far.  The interview is in Italian. English speakers can read Gianluca's Times of Malta interview with Capel. 

Malta's men's national waterpolo team will be competing in European Championships in Budapest later this month. It is a big challenge, but national team coach Karl Izzo is confident that the team is well prepared. Valhmor Camilleri speaks to Mr Izzo about the team's prospects. 

Shaun Goater spent five years with Manchester City at the turn of the century, scoring almost a goal every two games and becoming a fan favourite.  The Bermudian striker remains very involved in UK football and is now a youth coach at Macclesfield Town.  Gianluca Lia spoke with him about the ongoing Premier League season.   

John Hutchinson won 11 caps for Malta between 2009 and 2011 and is to this day the most capped Central Coast Mariners player in the Australian club's history. He's now working as a coach at A-League side Western United.  Gianluca Lia caught up with the former Malta midfielder and heard what he had to say about sharing the dressing room with Michael Mifsud and Andre Schembri and how he's adapting to life on the touchlines. 

Gilberto Silva won a World Cup with a Brazil side that featured Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho up front.  Then he came to Europe and went an entire season undefeated, as part of Arsenal's 'invincibles'.  The iconic midfielder speaks to Valhmor Camilleri about his glittering career, Brazil's future prospects and what it takes to be the best. 

Malta's men's waterpolo team has done the country proud over the past years. Coach Karl Izzo believes there's scope for them to go from strength to strength.  Ahead of key matches against Portugal and Romania, Izzo speaks to Valhmor Camilleri about those games and the team's future. 

Aged 40, Francesca Piccinini is still going strong and winning volleyball Champions League titles. In this interview with Valhmor Camilleri, she looks back on a glittering professional career and the people who helped her make it to the very top of the volleyball world.   Note to listeners: this interview is in Italian. Read the written version here

 Trustin Farrugia Cann has been promoted to an UEFA Category Two official,  capping a successful summer which also saw him serve a fourth official during an Under 17 European Championship match between the Netherlands and Italy. Gianluca Lia speaks to Trustin about life as a referee and what he hopes the future holds in store for him. 

Pierre Brincat heads Women's Football at the Malta Football Association. He speaks to Gianluca Lia about a FIFA Women's Football Summit held in Paris, an UEFA Grassroots Seminar held in Belarus and takes a look at how women's football is developing across Europe. 

Should women's football have smaller goalposts? Will we soon see women manage top teams in the men's game? And just how did Ireland manage to get thousands of girls to lace up their boots?  Sue Ronan, who heads Women's Football at the Irish FA, speaks to Gianluca Lia about the growth of the women's game in her home country and some of the controversial issues arising from this summer's women's World Cup. 

Jan Mølby was one of the finest passers to ever grace Anfield and became such a key part of 1980s Liverpool that he was made an 'honorary Scouser' by the city's mayor.  He speaks to Valhmor Camilleri about Liverpool then and now, why he thinks the club could finally end its 30-year title wait and what Jurgen Klopp has brought to the team. 

Wayne Attard used to work for the Malta Football Association. Now he is a coach at  Albion SC Vegas, in a role which makes him part of a nationwide grassroots movement to crank up 'soccer' fever in the USA. Gianluca Lia learns more.  In part two of this episode, Gianluca speaks to Faizhal Khan, who previously served as the MFA's head of recruitment and is now working in that role with the Guyana national team. Faizal talks about the team ahead of its appearance at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup....

Tom Saintfiet lasted just three games before he was sacked as Malta's national football team coach in 2018. One year on, Gianluca Lia spoke to the Belgian to understand what went wrong in that short-lived relationship. The two also discussed what Saintfiet has planned for the Gambia national team, which he is now coaching, and what he expects to see at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. 

The name Zlatan Ibrahimovic needs no introduction. The global superstar has played for some of the world's most prestigious clubs and won trophies wherever he's been. Valhmor Camilleri spoke to Ibrahimovic ahead of Malta's Euro 2020 qualifier against Sweden, which ended 3-0 to the Swedish hosts. They discussed his career highs and lows, his plans for life after football and what young Maltese players should focus on if they want to succeed. 

World-famous Italian football journalist Gianluca Di Marzio was in Malta for a two-day MFA football symposium this week.  His namesake Gianluca Lia sat down with him to chat about what drove him to journalism, what sort of manager Juventus actually need and why he always carries his mobile phone in his hand when he's live on-air.  Note: You'll need to understand Italian to enjoy this one!

The Sports Desk takes a leap into the world of women's football this episode.  Mġarr United women broke their point record this season and were one final away from knockout victory. Their coach Patrick Curmi told Gianluca Lia about their whirlwind season. We also spoke to Olympique Lyon Féminin stars Jessica Fishlock and Dzsenifer Marozsan shortly after they trounced FC Barcelona 4-1 to win the UEFA Women's Champions League. 

It's an episode of football winners this week, with Gilbert Agius talking about the sweet taste of success just moments after Valletta FC secured their 25th premier league title, Victoria Hotspurs president Anton Tabone delighting in his club's first-ever double, and Birkirkara FC women's team coach Melania Bajada and goalkeeper Janice Xuereb speak about their club's third consecutive league title. 

Hibernians and Valletta face off in a league title decider this Saturday, and to mark this nail-biting final clash of the season we speak to two people who know both clubs intimately - former player David Carabott and coach Branko Nisevic.