Full name Emmanuel Debattista 1957–62 Malta Place of birth Malta Name Lolly Debattista | Years Team Role Soccer player 1947–67 Floriana F.C. | |
Date of birth (1929-12-21) 21 December 1929 (age 86) | ||
Emmanuel Debattista, better known as Lolly Debattista (born (1929-12-21)21 December 1929) is a Maltese ex-soccer player and manager. He played in defence.
Contents
Club
Debattista began his career with Floriana Ajax F.C., a youth team that was annexed in the 1948/49 season by Floriana F.C.. After the juniors won two prestigious victories against arch-rivals Sliema Wanderers (including a 5–0 victory), some were promoted permanently to the adult team..
Debattista played for Floriana for his entire playing career, which ended in 1967. During his career, the "Evergreens" won the Maltese Premier League seven times and the Maltese FA Trophy nine times.
International
On 28 June 1962 Debattista played his first international match for the Malta national football team in an official tournament: a European Championship qualifier against Denmark. Malta lost 1–6.
In all, Debattista played three times for the national team.
Manager
Debattista began coaching at youth level for Floriana, and later was assistant coach of the first team under the leadership of his cousin Lolly Borg, in the 1961/62 season.
In 1975 Debattista became head coach of the Hamrun Spartans, with whom in his first season to gain promotion to the Maltese Premier League. In December 1976, he was hired by Valletta F.C., with whom he reached the cup finals twice in a row, defeating his old club Floriana F.C. on both occasions. He also won in the 1977-78 season and was also the "Citizens' Champion".