User:Glueballoon/sandbox

Joel Marc Sammut Vasquez
Joel Marc Sammut Vasquez is a former professional football player who held dual Australian and Maltese nationality. He gained recognition in Malta as one of the youngest players to make an appearance for the senior Birkirkara FC team in 2004 at the age of 17. Vasquez represented Malta in international competitions and played for various clubs in different countries throughout his career.

Early Life and Career
Joel Marc Sammut Vasquez was born on the 2nd of April, 1987 in Sydney, Australia. From an early age, he displayed a strong interest in football and began honing his skills in local youth leagues. Vasquez's passion for the sport led him to attend Endeavour Sports High School, where he became a student and a member of the Targeted Sports Program for Soccer.

Vasquez was invited to trial for the New South Wales Institute of Sport for Soccer in 2001. His dedication and skill earned him a spot in the institute, providing him with further training and support to progress in his career.

In his pursuit of professional development, Vasquez made a bold decision to move abroad and join the youth academy of Birkirkara F.C., one of Malta's top football clubs in 2002. He showcased his abilities in local as well as international tournaments such as the Upper Austria Cup in which he netted three goals to help his side place third overall. Vasquez's strong performances subsequently lead him to be selected to represent Malta in the 2003 U-17 UEFA European Championship qualification round. Malta Competed in group 2 of qualififcation round held in Finland.

Professional Career
In 2004, at the age of 17, Vasquez made his first appearance for the senior Birkirkara FC team in the Maltese Premier League. His performances on the field caught the attention of national selectors, leading to his inclusion in the 2006 U-19 UEFA European Championship qualification round. The Maltese side competed in group 3 of the qualification round which was held in Israel in 2005. In the same year, Vasquez represented Malta in the 2005 Mediterranean Games held in Almeria, Spain.

In 2006, in anticipation of an impending clash between the U-21 national football teams of Malta and Tunisia, Vasquez received the honour of inclusion in Malta's U-21 squad. This decision was made under the guidance of the team's coach, Mark Miller, who officially introduced this as the newly formed U-21 team for Malta. At the age of 19, Vasquez emerged as one of the fresh talents to join this revamped squad and played in the match against Tunisia. Leading up to this match, Vasquez had embarked on a significant career move joining Legia Warsaw, a prominent football club in Poland.