Win or lose without the 12th player Gibraltar loses out

Opinion and analysis by Stephen Ignacio

The biggest match in Gibraltar’s recent international calendar is upon us today, with Gibraltar playing its crucial home leg in the Nations League play-off for promotion into League C.

The match, whilst marred by criticism over the rugby international line markings, is probably one of Gibraltar’s most important fixtures on the international stage since joining UEFA.

Looking, for the second time, to be promoted to League C, success would consolidate Gibraltar’s position as one of the fringe teams hovering between Leagues C and D, no longer merely considered a minnow.

For Gibraltar football, it would add to the level of experience and growth on the international stage, setting the team up to play in Group 2 of League C should they win the play-off tie against Latvia.

Winning the play-offs would see Gibraltar face the likes of Cyprus, Montenegro and Armenia — sides that Gibraltar has long targeted as benchmarks. Armenia is already a team Gibraltar has proven they can beat on a good day, having done so in a previous Nations League encounter.

Importantly for Gibraltar, promotion would also set the stage for competing at a higher level, both on and off the pitch. League C teams are all aiming for promotion, which would set them up to play against the mid- to higher-echelon sides, currently including the likes of Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland, among other well-known names — all of which attract large crowds.

Whilst League C is not at that level, teams such as Cyprus, Montenegro and Armenia are known to consider themselves fringe League B sides — a factor that aligns well with Gibraltar’s continued search for greater experience and challenges as it looks to shed the “minnow” label.

Failure to achieve promotion will see Gibraltar remain in League D, where they will face Andorra and either Luxembourg or Malta, with the latter two decided by the other play-off taking place at the same time.

Although all three sides will present a challenge — and also see themselves as fringe teams between Leagues C and D — they do not provide the same level of exposure as League C opposition. Nor are they likely to attract the larger crowds Gibraltar continues to seek as it works to move beyond the “minnow” tag.

The first leg against Latvia has also become a test of Gibraltar’s support for its national team.

A crucial encounter, where errors in organisation or coverage could be costly to the future development of the sport beyond the field of play, recent criticism over decisions on line markings has seen attention diverted away from supporting the team.

However, with such a decisive play-off match, Gibraltar needs to show that it stands behind its national side. Support should come from across the community, especially the wider sporting community, where football’s growth — and its ability to drive economic activity around sport — has already brought clear benefits since Gibraltar’s acceptance into UEFA and FIFA.

The growth of the football industry, with the many facets and experiences it brings, has transferred into other sports, both directly and indirectly. Gibraltar’s sporting community has seen greater international success and a higher level of professionalism in the organisation of events — now widely praised by international bodies.

As Gibraltar’s national team walks onto the pitch this Thursday for the first leg against Latvia, the “12th player” — as fans have so often been described over the past decade — will once again be crucial.

Whether Gibraltar can emulate the unity and national pride seen in other nations — where it is not the sport but the national shirt that is supported — will only be known on the night. Win or lose on the pitch, victory in the stands can only provide optimism for the future.