Three Maltese clubs to take part in LEN Challenger Cup

Sliema and Sirens to take part in qualifying groups

The Aquatic Sports Association of Malta will be represented by three teams in this year’s LEN Challenger Cup, men’s champions Sliema ASC, and Sirens ASC, and Sliema ASC in the women’s tournament.

The draws of the club competition organised by European governing body LEN were made at their Aquatics Office on Monday.

In previous years, Malta always competed in this tournament by registering its national senior team under the name of Valletta.

In fact, last year, the Maltese selection produced their best ever showing in the tournament when they reached the quarter-finals only to bow out to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

But this time round, the ASA of Malta is being represented by three club teams in the LEN competition and shows the great ambition local sides have to challenge themselves against opponents from the continent.

“I am really pleased that this year we are represented by three clubs in this year’s competition,” Izzo told the Times of Malta.

“I believe that the only way forward for our clubs to grow is to participate in European competitions and I have no doubt that in the coming years we will have more teams taking part in such tournaments, not just in the Challenger Cup but also in the Europa Cup and hopefully in the Champions League too.”

The ASA will be hosting three qualification groups in Malta, scheduled to be held between November 1 and 3 for the men’s tournament and between November 7 and 10 for the women’s competition.

Men’s champions Sliema ASC will be playing hosts for their qualifying group which sees them come up against Swiss side Carouge Natation, ASA Tel Aviv, of Israel, and Portuguese side Clube Fluvial Portuense.

Added to that the National Pool will also host Group A from the men’s tournament that is formed by Portuguese side Vitoria Sport Clube, Cetus Espoo, of Finland, GZC Donk, of the Netherlands, and Welsh Wanderers, of Wales.

In the women’s tournament, the qualifying tournament will be played between November 7 and 10 and Malta champions Sirens ASC will be playing on home soil and will be up against Montenegrin side ASC Jadran, German side Blau-weib Bochum and Hapoel Emek Hayarden, of Israel.

On the other hand, Sliema ASC Women face a tough trip in Serbia where they take on hosts Vojvodina, Turkish side Izmir BSB and English side City of Manchester.