Ben Camille this week met with Niall Engerer, who is Malta’s no.1 squash player, who also holds the position of national team coach.
Engerer arrived in Malta three years ago and during this time he has tried to hone the skills of Malta’s top squash players, apart from attracting new blood to the sport.
“I arrived in Malta three years ago and in the beginning things looked really good as we launched a number of programmes in schools where we were working with kids to try and lure them to our sport,” Engerer said.
“Then unfortunately, COVID-19 struck, and our work slowed down a bit but it has been very well so far. But I’m quite impressed with the level of interest here in Malta.
“The number of people who practise the sports is quite encouraging. In fact, we have a local league, that is organised by Robert Sultana, that has 14 divisions with nine players each so that it caters for all levels of skills of each player.”
Looking ahead, Engerer said that the national team’s main goal this year are the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
“That is our biggest goal this year,” Engerer said.
“Our hope is that we are able to get some wins in both singles and doubles, even though we know we will be up against some strong opposition.”
Hottest games predictions
The challenge between Ben Camille and Times of Malta Sports Editor Valhmor Camilleri is heating up, as they continue trying to predict the results of the hottest games happening this weekend.
How did they do last week?
Ben Camille enjoyed a positive week as he managed to bridge the gap with Valhmor Camilleri after week 11 of the hottest games of the week challenge.
In fact, Ben Camille managed to predict that the FA Trophy tie between Ħamrun Spartans and Hibernians would end in a 1-1 draw while he also guessed that Serie A clash between Napoli and Roma would finish in a draw to collect 50 points.
On the other hand, Valhmor Camilleri only managed to guess that the FA Trophy tie between Ħamrun Spartans and Hibernians would finish in a draw to pick up ten points.
Total Scores after week 11
In the overall standings, Valhmor Camilleri leads the way with 470 points while Ben Camille is trailing with 380 points.
We will keep you updated with a tally of their scores every week. A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
Arsenal vs Manchester United (Saturday at 13.30)
Manchester United will be hoping the appointment of Ajax boss Erik ten Hag as their new manager from next season will boost their hopes of claiming a much-needed victory over Arsenal and keep alive their Champions League hopes.
United’s wretched display in Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat at Liverpool underlined just how far they have fallen since Alex Ferguson led them to their last Premier League title in 2013.
Languishing in sixth place – 23 points behind Manchester City – United have been reduced to scrapping for a top four finish and even that goal could well be beyond them.
United head to Arsenal on Saturday trailing both the fifth placed Gunners and fourth placed Tottenham by three points.
Defeat against a direct rival for the Champions League places would be a fatal blow for interim boss Ralf Rangnick and his side, who were rocked by the bomb threat received by out-of-form captain Harry Maguire on Thursday.
Arsenal, behind Tottenham on goal difference, go into the clash boosted by Wednesday’s 4-2 win at Chelsea, a vital success that ended their run of three consecutive defeats.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Arsenal vs Manchester United 1-1.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Arsenal vs Manchester United 2-0.
Inter vs Roma (Saturday at 18.30)
Inter will be looking to keep up their pressure on leaders Milan when they host Roma at the San Siro on Saturday.
The Nerazzurri are currently just two points adrift of their neighbouring rivals and could take top spot in the standings, for at least 24 hours with victory over Roma.
Simone Inzaghi’s men seem to be in hot form and are heading into the match in high spirits after crushing Milan 3-0 to book a place in the Coppa Italia final where they will be up against Juventus on May 11.
Still, Inter will not be taking anything foregranted against a Roma side who are also in excellent form under the charge of their former coach Jose Mourinho.
The Giallorossi too are desperate for points as they look to leapfrog Juventus for the fourth and final spot in next season’s Champions League.
Roma showed their good form of late when last weekend they held fellow title challengers Napoli to a 1-1 draw at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Inter vs Roma 2-0
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Inter vs Roma 1-0.
Lazio vs Milan (Sunday at 20.45)
AC Milan will be looking to bounce back from their elimination from the Coppa Italia when they face Lazio at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday night.
The Rossoneri will be looking to protect their Serie A top status from neighbouring rivals Inter who have shown some impressive form in recent weeks.
Milan face a tough challenge on Sunday as they travel to the capital to face a Lazio side who have lost only one of their last six league games.
Looking to put their midweek Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Inter behind them, Milan are unbeaten in 11 Serie A matches, and scored more than once in a league game for the first time since mid-February in last Friday’s 2-0 win over Genoa.
Lazio will also be keen to take all points as they continue to chase a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Lazio vs Milan 3-3.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Lazio vs Milan 0-1.
Do you reckon you can beat Ben and Valhmor? Let us know your predictions for this weekend’s hottest matches in the comments below.
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