Gzira UnitedGżira United are a club that wrote themselves into Maltese football history through one of the most dramatic ties in European cup competition. Founded in 1947 in the small harbour town of Gżira in central Malta, the club won its first major trophy in 1973, lifting the Maltese FA Trophy.
For decades Gżira remained a second-tier club, and the turning point came only in the 2016/17 season, when they were promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history, finishing seventh in their debut campaign. The following two seasons brought third-place league finishes, opening the door to Europa League qualifying on both occasions. It was in that competition, on 18 July 2019, that Gżira wrote the most famous chapter in their history. After losing 0-2 at home to Croatia's Hajduk Split, the Maltese side found themselves 0-1 down in the return leg in Split, putting Hajduk 3-0 up on aggregate. In what has since become known as the Hajduk Miracle, Gżira turned the match around, with goals from Brazilian forward Jefferson Assis and two from Ivorian striker Hamed Kone, levelling the score at 3-1 on the night. Thanks to the away-goals rule, the Maltese club progressed to the next round at the expense of their far more decorated opponents, in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in Maltese football history.
The team, known as the Maroons for their maroon shirts with light blue sleeves, play their home matches at the Centenary Stadium. Although Gżira have never won the Maltese championship, their 2019 European run remains a touchstone for fans following the achievements of small clubs against European heavyweights.
