Provisional Malta squad confirmed for FIBA Women’s Small Countries Games

The Malta Basketball Association announced Wednesday that women’s coach Angela Adamoli had selected a provisional 19-player squad ahead of this summer’s 2022 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Coach Adamoli’s side will be looking to improve upon her project which saw the inclusion of numerous young players last year as Malta finished fourth. With nine players of last year’s squad renamed in the roster, the team will once again have a number of new faces hoping to make the cut for the games between June 28- July 3.

With the Malta coach spoilt for choice, also having five Maltese players abroad to pick from, the squad sees the return of Australia-based Nicola Handreck as well as the introduction of UK-based Julia Borg who has been making waves since joining Sheffield College. US-based players Sophie Abela and Kristy Galea, as well as Leicester Riders’ Sasha Lecuyer have all made themselves available for these games.

Locally, Hibernians and Depiro BC have the majority of names in the list, both availing five players to the roster, while Starlites will have three representatives and champions Luxol will have stalwart Josephine Diaby in the initial squad. Veteran players Diaby, Samantha Brincat, and Stephanie De Martino will be looking to lead the pack together with the returning Ashleigh Van Vliet.

Youth will once again be a priority as Depiro’s Danika Galea and Hibernians’ Ylenia Bonett, both coming from an impressive season, will be exciting additions to the roster. Both will be hoping to cash in on their well-earned call-up despite their young age as Malta play hosts Cyprus, Kosovo, Andorra, and Norway in a round-robin-style tournament.

Last year, Malta missed out on bronze after losing their third-place game against Kosovo, in Cyprus.

MALTA SQUAD

Sophie Abela (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, US); Julia Borg (Sheffield College Basketball Academy, UK); Kristy Galea (Milligan University Buffaloes, US); Nicola Handreck (Portland Coasters, Australia); Sasha Lecuyer (Leicester Riders, UK); Jasmine Abela, Ylenia Bonett, Samantha Maree Brincat, Kirsty Caruana Ashleigh van Vliet (all Hibernians); Nicole Agius, Neve Borg, Claire Ciantar, Danika Galea, Julia Xerri (all Depiro); Stephanie De Martino, Mikela Riolo, Michela Zammit Cordina (all Starlites); Josephine Diaby (Caffe Moak Luxol).

HEAD COACH Angela Adamoli

ASSISTANT COACH Sandro Farrugia