France too strong for Malta women in Euro qualifiers opener

The Malta women’s national team endured a difficult start in the European Championship qualifiers when they suffered a heavy 23-4 defeat against France at the National Pool.

Anthony Farrugia’s girls found the going tough against the superior French side who showed their real strength throughout the match, scoring at regular intervals to wrap up the match by the end of the second session when they led 11-2.

The French side rolled over the Maltese side in the opening session when they managed to find the net seven times without reply.

Despite this torrid opening session, the Maltese girls came out fighting in the second session and although the French scored four times, the home side managed to find the net twice through Kaia Agius and Martha Perici Ferrante.

The French side stepped up a gear in the third session, netting seven goals with teh Matlese team finding the match once through Perici Ferrante.

In the final session, France wrapped up their victory with another five gosl with Perici Ferrante again netting for Malta to complete the final 23-4 scoreline.

Malta will now hope for a stronger showing on Saturday when they face Portugal in their second match.

The Portuguese also opened their campaign with a defeat when they were beaten by Israel 15-5 in yesterday’s opener.