ABSTRACT
Compacted sandstone, not grass, provided the surface on which this European Championship qualifier was played. Although not officially permitted under UEFA regulations, this organisation turned a blind eye to Malta’s absence of a grass pitch as it had done since Malta joined both this Federation in 1960 and FIFA the year previously. The ramshackle stadium hosting the game built in 1922, and privately owned, but leased to the Malta FA, had seen better days. Located in the heart of a densely populated area, the stadium had seen some great games and had regularly held crowds of over 20,000. British engineers had built a greyhound-race-track around the pitch in emulation of the Wembley Stadium in London, and the ground was known as the Empire Stadium. Greyhound racing never actually happened here. The track circumference was 40 yards short of the internationally recognised measurement. Surrounding apartments and their occupants enjoying the game free from their windows and roofs. The ubiquitous extended TV aerials dominated the skyline.
