In the first episode of the new series of GAMEON, Ben Camille catches up with sailor Lacey Aquilina, who is currently stepping up her preparations for next year’s Games of the Small States of Europe which will be held in Malta.
Aquilina told Ben Camille that she has started practising the sport at a very young age and has never looked back.
“I have been sailing for 12 years now,” Aquilina said.
“I started when I was only six years old at Birżebbuġa Sailing Club. My father is a former sailor who won the gold medal for Malta at the Games of the Small States of Europe and also represented the country at the Olympic Games, you can say that I was born on a boat.”
Aquilina said her focus at the moment is to prepare well for next year’s GSSE where the goal of the national team is to win as many medals as possible.
“Next year is a big year for us as the GSSE will be held in Malta and we are stepping up our preparations for these Games where we hope to win many medals,” Aquilina said.
“I train four to five times a week where I spend four hours on the water. Added to that we also have three to four sessions in the gym.”
As from this week, a friendly challenge is afoot, as Camille will be challenging Times of Malta Sports Editor Valhmor Camilleri to try and predict the results of the three hottest games of the week.
Roma vs Juventus (Sunday, January 9, 18:30)
The first match picked for this week is the clash between Roma and Juventus at the Olympic Stadium of Rome.
Both teams will be desperate to take all three points as they look to close the gap on a top-four finish that would earn them a place in next season’s Champions League.
Roma come into the match on the back of a damaging 2-1 defeat to Milan in midweek. Coach Jose Mourinho has a selection headache in his hands as he is short of defensive options following the dismissals of Rick Karsdorp and Gianluca Mancini against Milan on Thursday.
On the other hand, Juventus come into the match desperate for the three points to move closer to the Champions League places.
At present, the Bianconeri are just three-points adrift of fourth-placed Atalanta who, however, have played a game less.
On Thursday, Juventus failed to close the game with La Dea when they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Napoli.
Ben’s prediction: 1-2
Valhmor’s prediction: 0-2
Inter vs Lazio (Sunday, January 9, 20:45)
Inter will be looking to strengthen their top spot in the Serie A standings when they host Lazio at the San Siro.
For Inter coach Simone Inzaghi this will be a reunion with his former side but no doubt there will be little room for sentiment for the former striker who is keen to pick up all three points to keep his team at the top of the Serie A standings.
At present, Inter hold a one-point lead on neighbour Milan but they have played a game less.
Lazio, on the other hand, need to win at all costs to remain in the hunt for a European place. In midweek, the Biancocelesti were made to pay for their erratic performance in defence and in attack as they could only manage a 3-3 draw against Empoli.
Lazio are currently eighth in the Serie A standings on 32 points, six adrift of fourth-placed Atalanta.
Ben’s prediction: 3-2
Valhmor’s prediction: 2-1
Manchester Utd vs Aston Villa (Monday, January 10, 20:55)
Manchester United face a tricky start to their FA Cup campaign when they host Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Ralf Rangnick heads into the match after seeing their unbeaten record at the English club ended by a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Wolves last week.
The build-up to the match has been anything but easy for the German with talk of a player’s feud circulating consistently in the English media. However, the Red Devils must be at their best if they are to progress past Aston Villa.
The Villains have been a revitalised side since Steven Gerrard took over and the former Liverpool midfielder will be relishing the chance of upsetting his long-time rivals at their own yard.
Ben’s prediction: 1-1
Valhmor’s prediction: 1-0
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points. We will be sharing an updated tally of their scores every week.
Do you reckon you can beat Ben and Valhmor? Let us know your predictions for this week’s hottest matches in the comments below.
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