The national team, now nestled safely in Group D, for the minnows, the Gilbraltar team has won 6 points in four games sitting second in their group behind MYR Macedonia. They have beaten Armenia away 0-1 and Leichtenstein recently 2-1 at Victoria Park, having lost to Liechtenstein away 0-2 in Vaduz and MYR Macedonian 0-2.
Gibraltar FA is one of the genuine sprats in UEFA, ranked XXX. Coached by Julio Ribas, a Uruguayan the team from the rock attracted a maximum 2,000 crowd to their "national stadium". During this exciting period in GFA's history they have scored 2 goals in a real international match for the first time and have won a competition game for the first time on home soil.
With two ties left, at home to Armenia and away to FYR the team from the hopes to reach the play offs. A true achievement for a small FA.
Recently their youth teams have been spanked by Iceland 0-8 at U18 and Macedonia 1-6 at U21s.
Founded in 1895, the GFA established the Merchant's Cup, the only competition at the time in the country, see Gibraltar FC below, the first winners. The first "national " team played against Army teams from 1901 and a "national league" was formed in 1907.
The National League contains 10 teams in the First Division with names such as Club Boca Juniors, Lincoln Red Imps and Mons Calpe, they are really local "pub" sides....actually that's unfair for they take the whole thing seriously.
One famous moment was a draw with Real Madrid in 1949. The FA was allowed the join FIFA...here are some more on the IMPS, I did earlier:-
https://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/wheat-from-chaff.html
https://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/phew-they-survived-
imp-invasion.html
Its a celebration of the Association! And the Chimps , well they are not quite chimps...you know that.
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