Briffa confident Balzan Youths can survive

The 2003/04 season is set to be a milestone for Balzan Youths FC. The modest club will be making their debut in the Premier League for the first time since their foundation in 1937.

Preparations for the new season got underway on Monday when new coach Jimmy Briffa, on the Zurrieq bench last season, summoned his squad for their first training spin at the Marsa grounds.

The coach who enjoys plenty of experience has almost the same squad that last season captured an historic promotion to the top flight.

So far, the only additions were former Rabat goalkeeper Stojan Simeonov and Anthony Gera. Last season, the latter, who is on the books of St Andrews, played for Senglea in Division One.

Simeonov, 29, will not be the only foreign player at Balzan. The committee is already in talks with former Birkirkara midfielder Jaroslav Marx and Serbo Montenegrin Bojan Ilic, son of ex-Malta national team coach Josif Ilic.

For Ilic jnr, a move to Balzan would represent a re-union with Briffa. They had worked together at St Andrews a couple of years back.

Young trio Michael Valenzia, Stefan Zahra and Shaun Tellus have all been given the nod by Sliema Wanderers to stay on loan for another term with the Premiership newcomers.

Yesterday, Briffa said he was excited about the prospect of leading Balzan in their first experience in the Premier League.

"This will be an eventful season, no doubt," he said. "I think it's an honour for me to coach Balzan in this important year for the club. Obviously, the challenge ahead is tough but I think that we can survive. Balzan have a young squad, brimming with skilful players and all willing to make the most of their new experience.

"I think the squad is adequately equipped to compete with our equals. I'm sure if the boys are well-prepared and up to task Balzan can reach their main objective and avoid an immediate return to Division One."

Previous experience

Briffa is no newcomer to the Premier League, though, having led Mqabba and Zurrieq in the '80s.

It will also be his second spell at Balzan. In 1990/91 he was coach when they won promotion to the second division, their first up in more than 50 years.

"Balzan always meant something special for me," he said.

"I had a wonderful time at Zurrieq and had no plans to leave. However, when Balzan's offer arrived I could not turn it down. The environment there suits my style of management. Perhaps this was the main reason why I decided to switch clubs this summer."