Five of Europa’s Gibraltarian first team players visited St Bernard’s Hospital today as part of their Easter commitments.

Photo © Europa FC

The side, who are currently second in the Premier Division, undertook the activities as part of their community engagement programme.

Liam Walker, Tjay De Barr, Ethan Jolley, Dayle Coleing and Mikey Yome visited the hospital today, after a visit to Europa’s youth team training sessions, handing out Easter eggs to both the youth players and the children in the Rainbow Ward of the hospital, as well as spending time with those in the ward.

Europa Sporting Director Eddie Yome had this to say about today’s visits from their local first team players: “Europa strongly believes that our senior players need to take time to give back to our community and supporting our youngsters so that they are seen as role models as they grow in our football family.”

After being part of the Europa side that reached the Gibtelecom Rock Cup final, we caught up with Europa and Gibraltar international defender Ethan Jolley to get his thoughts on the game, his season so far and more.

Photo © C Correa Photography

Europa saw off Phoenix 4-1 on Tuesday, despite going down to 10 men after an hour and giving away two penalties in the game – how did Jolley feel the game went for his side? “I felt the team played well, considering we had a man down after 60 minutes, and still managed to control the game most of the time. There’s still room for improvement as a team collectively but the outcome was a win which was our main aim.”

This is the fourth season in a row Europa have made the final of the cup, and last year Jolley featured off the bench in their 2-1 success over Mons Calpe in the final – what are the 22-year old’s thoughts on reaching another final? “Apart from all behind the scenes we deserve some credit not just the players but staff. It’s always good reaching the finals of the cup, any game we play is just as important but after playing in last year’s finals you can always tell there’s a sensation to it, especially when its one game away from lifting silverware.”

Jolley’s team-mate for club and country, Tjay De Barr, is top scorer in the cup with seven goals, and is very likely to end the tournament in that position as well – how highly does the defender rate his team-mate? “Well, Tjay De Barr is the kind of player anyone would want in their team. He plays with the passion and desire and that’s what a team needs. He has all the attributes a player needs, and in training you can tell he wants to get better and keep progressing. You can tell he is learning and progressing from the results he is getting as a player, and helping out the team. He is one of those players that has been vital for the club this season. I must say to keep an eye out (on De Barr).”

The increase in the HGP rule has seen Jolley’s minutes on the pitch already increase from the whole of last season – with five league games and a cup final to go, and in turn led to him making his international debut in the final minutes against Estonia last month. How does Jolley rate his own personal season? “My season all round has been good. As a player you always want to get minutes and play to the best of your ability. Individually I have been training and working hard to get the best possible outcome in games and I can say I feel good playing and doing what I love most. Every season a player must aim to achieve something greater than the last and this season I think I have. This is my second consecutive season with my club Europa, I am happy with my game time, happy with the results as a team and happy with the performances.”

The Gibtelecom Rock Cup semi-finals kicks off tonight and here are our predictions.

Photo © William Gracia

With the season moving closer to the business end at the top of the table, March sees a Europa duo win the Football Gibraltar Player and Manager of the Month awards in the Premier Division.

Photo © C Correa Photography

Player of the Month – Alex Quillo (Europa FC)

This month proved to be quite hard, with a number of players catching the eye with their performances – however we’ve gone for a midfielder who scored in every game in March, all of which were important in their own way. The goals against Glacis, and especially Phoenix, ensured Europa could go on to secure comfortable victories as they look to chase after the title, while his screamer vs Mons Calpe, at the time making it 4-1, ended up being decisive with the game ending 4-3. Quillo quietly goes about his work for the side, but this season has contributed with a number of goals, and therefore is our player of the month. Leonardo Carboni came a close second this month after some impressive performances for Mons Calpe, while Chico Rubio, who has been consistently strong for Gib United in March, finishes third.

Manager of the Month – Rafael Escobar (Europa FC)

This one was a toss-up between the top three, who all won their three league matches in March, but given the opposition faced, and the manner of their wins, Europa’s Rafael Escobar just about edges out Raul Procopio in second, and Victor Afonso in third to Manager of the Month in March. In a title run-in where one slip could prove to be the end of a title run, both Lincoln and Europa have managed to be faultless in recent weeks, building up to what should be a blockbuster meeting on Matchday 26. For their part, the important wins vs Mons Calpe and Phoenix, as well as a comprehensive beating of Glacis which did their goal difference wonders means Europa have clawed back some of the gap between the two title-chasing sides in that department, while ensuring St Joseph’s don’t get a chance to join the race fully.

Gibraltar’s Women’s Head Coach Gayle Garcia, as well as assistant manager Janssen Olivero and GFA Women’s Football Manager Laura McGinn spoke to the press today ahead of the International Women’s Futsal matches between Gibraltar and Northern Ireland this weekend.