Team Malta set for unprecedented top-two finish in 2023 GSSE medal standings

Team Malta is well on course to attain its best-ever placing at the Games of the Small States of Europe as the week-long sports festival is entering its final two days of competition.

This week, Maltese athletes have shone up the Games with an impressive performance that saw the host country produce a gold medal rush that has lifted the team to its highest-ever position in the medals table.

On Friday morning, Team Malta was sitting in an unprecedented second place in the medal standings with 20 gold medals 12 silver, and 17 for a total tally of 49 medals, which is also a new all-time best.

In fact, Malta’s previous best showing in the Games came in 2003 when the team amassed 44 medals, with 11 of them being gold.

Malta has never finished higher than fourth placed in the medals’ table, a result achieved in 1993 and 2003, editions that were held on home soil and in Liechtenstein 2011.

Only Cyprus, one of the traditional powerhouses at these Games, have fared better than the host nation as they are currently leading the way with 21 gold, 17 silver, and 20 bronze.

With two days of competition still to go, Malta is expected to continue to bring in more medals and step up their hopes of achieving what was unthinkable before the start of these Games, first place in the medals’ table.

On Friday, Team Malta is in with a chance of winning more gold medals, with tennis players Mattia Pecotic and Francesca Curmi involved in the singles finals while the rugby 7s women’s team will be facing Andorra in the final at the Hibs Stadium.

Swimming will also hold its final competitions on Friday while in sailing Maltese sailors are well placed to bring home more medals due to their excellent showing this week.

Whatever happens, the 2023 GSSE in Malta are set to stay well long in the memory of the Maltese fans – and it is hoped that the Maltese public will turn up in numbers in the various venues to give their support to their athletes in their bid to make this Games an edition that will remain in the history of Maltese sport for many more years.