Maltese abroad: Falzon joins Etoile Angers

The covid-19 pandemic has been a thorn in the side of many players looking to secure professional contracts ahead of the new season. However, this did not stop Malta international AARON FALZON from achieving his target as he joins French side Etoile Angers. The Times of Malta’s sportsdesk looks at Falzon and other Maltese professionals plying their trade overseas in another segment of ‘Maltese abroad’.

FRANCE

Falzon, 24, on trial for these two weeks, will be hoping to confirm the signing of his first professional contract in France this week after having followed the collegiate route in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with Northwester and eventually the Quinnipac Bobcats last season.  

Before that, the 6’8 forward finished high school as a 4-star recruit and the 75th ranked player in the class of 2015 according to ESPN.

Falzon was part of the Malta side which won gold in the 2018 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in San Marino. During the torunament, Falzon had grabbed double digits in all games.

Etoile Angers play their first league match on October 2 as they face Vendee Challans away from home (tip off: 2PM). Before that, Falzon was involved in the team’s last two friendlies, scoring double digits in both.

AUSTRALIA

SC Phoenix’s Nelson Kahler kept his spark alive as he grabbed 28 boards and scored 19 points with a 69% field goal percentage in his game game against USC Rip City on Friday.

The team dominated for most of the game and eventually beat Rip City 100-80. They stay fourth in the standings after having played seven games so far. 

Phoenix now face Southern Districts Spartans on Saturday September 26 (Tip-off:  8PM AEST/12PM Malta)

ITALY

Pallacanestro Orzinuovi’s Kurt Cassar will be fighting for this coming season’s title in their newly revamped court – Palabertocchi, albeit without any fans according to the club’s president Francesco Zanotti.

“Seeing the publication of the calendar makes you want to restart,” Zanotti said.

“Personally I can’t wait to play the first official match at “PalaBertocchi” and to welcome our fans. I believe that the choice of the National Basketball League to start later, in November, with the championship was far-sighted. However, today there is still too much uncertainty and I hope that in the coming weeks we can calmly evaluate the reopening to the public.”