Andorra Football Team Draws 200+ Fans to Open Training Before Malta Clash

Andorra's national football team faces Malta this afternoon in its UEFA Nations League opener at Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp, with coach Koldo Álvarez de Eulate emphasising the competition's value for smaller nations' growth.

The match kicks off at 6pm, marking the start of the fifth Nations League edition. Structural changes loom for 2028-2029, reducing leagues from four to three and securing Andorra's promotion already, though Álvarez de Eulate stressed earning results on the pitch carries special merit. He likened Malta to June's friendly opponent Kosovo, noting their high tempo, experienced core, young wingers with flair and forward Irvin Cardona—a former Espanyol player now at Saint-Étienne.

New captain Moi San Nicolás, honoured pre-match by the Andorran Football Federation for surpassing 100 caps (achieved against Liechtenstein in June), called the fixture tough but expressed optimism from recent friendlies. The defender enters an elite group including Ilde Lima, Marcio Vieira, Marc Pujol, Marc Vales and Óscar Sonejee. San Nicolás credited consistency, hard work and supportive examples for his milestone, thanking the federation and staff.

Álvarez de Eulate anticipates a demanding schedule of four games in quick succession and plans squad rotations to manage fatigue, ensuring players get minutes and peak for the final outing.

Building anticipation, the team drew over 200 fans to Thursday's open training at the same venue. The session featured inflatable games, snacks like fruit and chocolate cake, chants of "selecció, selecció!" and "visca Andorra!", plus an official photo. Children and parents donned kits from the national side, FC Andorra, Logroñés or Spain. Post-training, players tossed balls to supporters and signed items including flags, a broken-arm cast and polo shirts. Striker Berto Rosas grinned when a young fan asked if he already had his autograph. Centre-back Max Llovera called the vibe motivating and dubbed Friday's clash the "first final", urging nationwide turnout.

Since the Kosovo friendly, Álvarez de Eulate added Èric de Pablos (Depa), Llovera, Christian García, Èric Vales and Rosas; prior call-ups Chus Rubio, Marc Vales, Nil Linares and Hugo Ferreira sat out. Uncapped goalkeeper Marc Castro remains sidelined. Retired Marc Pujol now assists as staff, succeeding Igor Labaien.

Malta enters under Italian coach Emilio De Leo. No lineup or injury updates are available.