The Maltese Olympic Committee has set its sights on securing its best-ever result in a foreign edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe.
The local governing body of elite sport announced the list of athletes to represent Malta in this month’s edition in Andorra.
Team Malta will compete in different disciplines, namely athletics, artistic swimming, basketball 3×3, cycling, gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic), karate, rugby 7s, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and tennis.
Director of Sport Charlene Attard speaks about Malta’s aspirations in the Andorra GSSE. Video: Chris Sant Fournier
Charlene Attard, Director of Sport at the MOC, followed by outlining the process behind team selection, explaining that Minimum Qualifying Standards (MQS) were established in close collaboration with the respective sport federations.
“These standards ensure that each selected athlete has met a benchmark of performance and readiness. The aim has always been to field a team that can deliver strong performances across the disciplines Malta is participating in” she said.
“While expectations are naturally high, one must remember that host nations select sports where they are strongest to maximise their medal chances. This is a factor we always keep in mind when preparing and setting expectations for results.”
Asked what the main target was for the MOC in Andorra, Attard said that the target was to eclipse Malta’s best-ever result in a foreign GSSE, which was achieved in Liechtenstein in 2011.
In that edition, Team Malta returned home with eight gold medals, 12 silver and seven bronze, with Attard, a former track and field sprinter, winning two gold medals in the 4×100 and 4x400m relays.
“The goal is to secure our best result in a foreign GSSE, which at the moment stands at eight gold medals won in Liechtenstein in 2011,” Attard said.
This year’s team features a balance of seasoned athletes with previous GSSE and international experience, as well as a number of first-time participants, all of whom have qualified to compete on merit.
“Whether debutants or veterans, each athlete is here because they’ve earned their place through performance and commitment,” Attard said.
“The holistic well-being of the athlete is paramount; therefore, we always ensure that competition supports, rather than hinders, their development. Our system and ethos are built around the athlete.”
Chef de Mission Daniel Farrugia Tanti provided an update on Team Malta’s logistical arrangements, noting that all Maltese athletes and officials will be staying together in a centrally located hotel, allowing for easier coordination and team spirit.
“A dedicated support team will be on hand to ensure athletes can focus entirely on their competitions,” he said.
He also confirmed that a charter flight has been booked to facilitate travel and will include limited seating for family and friends who wish to support Team Malta in Andorra.
MOC president Julian Pace Bonello concluded the event by announcing the flag bearers for the Opening Ceremony: tennis ace Francesca Curmi and middle-distance runner Jared Micallef.
“These two athletes exemplify the dedication, consistency and sporting excellence that Team Malta stands for. We are confident that the best team has been selected, and we trust that they will give their utmost to do Malta proud,” said Pace Bonello.
Pace Bonello also took the opportunity to thank SportMalta, the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF), National Lottery, Olympic Solidarity, APS Bank, and Deloitte for their ongoing and steadfast support of Team Malta and the country’s sporting ambitions.
Team Malta for Andorra 2025
On her part, Maria Vella-Galea, Director of Media and PR for the Maltese Olympic Committee Maria Vella-Galea noted that a good number of journalists will be present throughout the event to follow and support Team Malta.
“Their presence is key to our efforts in bringing our athletes’ stories back to the Maltese public and inspiring the next generation of talent,” she said.
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS
Athletes: Philippa Busuttil, Lyana Curmi Inguanez, Janet Galea, Julia Galea, Sophie St John.
Coaches: Natalya Berehova, Dario Santacroce.
ARTISTIC SWIMMING
Athletes: Ana Culic, Thea Grima Buttigieg, Zea Montfort.
Coaches: Michelle Hubner, Hannah Preca Trapani.
ATHLETICS
Athletes: James Armani, Claire Azzopardi, Lisa Bezzina, Luke Bezzina, Nick Bonett, Isaac Bonnici, Rosalie Borg, Mireya Bugeja, Dillon Cassar, Alessia Cristina, Omar El Aida, Jemima Farley, Matthew Galea Soler, Ian Paul Grech, Beppe Grillo, Sana Grillo, Gina Mcnamara, Jared Micallef, Josefa Micallef, Luke Micallef, Nathan Myers, Jordan Pace, Zaida Pace, Thea Parnis Coleiro, Graham Pellegrini, Janet Richard, Benjamin Salnitro, Rebecca Sare, Martha Spiteri, Simon Spiteri, Kurt Zahra.
Coaches: Mario Bonello, Karl Farrugia, Kevin Galea, Xandru Grech, Antonio Laguardia.
BASKETBALL 3X3
Athletes: Steffi De Martino, Danika Galea, Nelson Kahler, Kristy Galea, Amber Melgoza, Matthew Scerri, Ian Felice Pace, Nathan Xuereb.
Coach: Roderick Vella.
CYCLING
Athletes: Daniel Bonello, Luke Borg, Aiden Buttigieg, John Camilleri, Clyve Chetcuti, Bernard Galea, Andrea Mifsud, Diana Muscat, Emma Pratt, Jess Pratt, Stefan Scerri, Deborah Schembri, Jacob Schembri.
Coaches/ Officials: Joseph Bajada, Etienne Bonello, Mark Bonnici, Pierre Zammit Endrich.
KARATE
Athletes: Amy Cunningham, Heorhii Denysov, Luke Galea, Halil Ibrahim Koska, Ramaz Kurtsadze, Emma Mizzi, Dimitar Petrov, Jessica Vella.
Coaches/Officials: Josef Antonelli, Joseph Mizzi, Jesmond Schembri, Michelle Vella.
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Athletes: Lauren Agius, Alyona Draguzya.
Coach: Noemi Dulzetto.
RUGBY 7S
Athletes: Dimitrje Avramovic, Brendan Dalton, Christopher Dudman, Zarrin Galea, Josh Gatt, Kyle Gauci, Philippe Ioffe, Brooklyn Hardaker, Robert Holloway, Thomas Holloway, Adam Kelly, Jon Jon Micallef, Jean Scholey, Louis Singleton, Cameron Sultana, Jethro Zammit Randich.
(From this pool of athletes, 12 will be selected closer to the date.)
Coaches/Officials: Jaike Carter, Joseph Cutajar, Robert Portelli.
SHOOTING
Athletes: Eleanor Bezzina, Gianluca Chetcuti, James Galea.
Coaches/Officials: Antonello Iezzi, Frans Pace.
SWIMMING
Athletes: Victoria Balderacchi, Dylan Cachia, Nathan Cachia, Zoe Cawsey, Andrei Enache, Sasha Gatt, Kyle Micallef, Nirvana Micallef, Michela Portelli, Matthew Satariano, Sean Wareing.
Coaches/Officials: David Bonello, Stan Ian Catalin, Emma Swanwick
TABLE TENNIS
Athletes: Daniel Bajada, Maria-Carmelia Iacob, Viktoria Lucenkova, Dmitrij Prokopcov, Renata Strbikova, Felix Wetzel
TENNIS:
Athletes: Matthew Axiaq, Francesca Curmi, Alex Degabriele, Liam Delicata, Elaine Genovese, Helene Pellicano.
Coaches/Officials: Jan Karl Farugia, Andreu Guilera
