LOKOMOTIV NANO 10
SIRENS 16
(4-3, 1-3, 2-3, 3-7)
Sirens ASC made it two wins out of two when they eased past Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Nanov in the LEN Challenger Cup in Bourgas, Bulgaria, on Friday.
It was another battling performance from the women’s waterpolo champions who showed great heart to overcome their Bulgarians opponents and maintain their perfect record in the competition after they had beaten British side Otter Swimming Club on Thursday.
Aurelien Cousin’s girls have maintained their perfect record in the competition and need another win from their remaining two matches, against Portuguese side Clube Fluvial Portuense, on Saturday, or Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade, on Sunday to progress to the next round of the competition.
Kaia Agius was Sirens’ star performer when she netted no less than seven goals.
The Maltese side were off to a brisk start as goals from Denise Micallef and Kaia Agius put them two goals ahead.
But the Bulgarians hit back and two quick goals from Anna Gesheva levelled matters.
Elaya Montfort restored Sirens’ lead but the hosts netted twice to take a slim 4-3 lead into the second session.
There was little separating either side with Sirens producing a late surge in the second session, scoring three times through Jovana Pantovic, Martha Perici Ferrante and Kaia Agius to take a 6-5 lead when ends were changed.
Kelise Agius extended Sirens’ lead to two goals, but Gesheva once more wiped off that advantage with a brace of goals midway through the third session.
But the St Paul’s Bay side kept their poise and Pantovic converted a penalty before Montfort put Sirens 9-7 ahead with one session to go.
Sirens were now on top as goals from Perici Ferrante, Agius (2) and Kendra Navarro put them in a commanding 13-9 lead.
The Bulgarians looked dead and buried with two late goals from Agius and another strike from Denise Micallef sealing another impressive win for the Malta champions.
Sirens: Alexia Amato, Elaya Montfort 2, Elisa Amato, Chloe Amato, Martha Perici Ferrante 2, Chloe Zammit, Kendra Navarro 1, Kaia Agius 7, Denise Micallef 2, Jovana Pantovic 2, Nevise Agius, Kelise Agius.
