Watch: Malta U-18 outlast Georgia to top group at European Championship

The Malta U-18 waterpolo national team made it three wins on the trot at the European Championship finals when they eased past Georgia 13-8 in their final group match in Oradea, Romania.

It was another professional performance from Jonathan Valletta’s boys, who, after impressive victories over Ukraine and Germany, needed maximum spoils from this clash against Georgia to ensure they finished top of the group and a spot in the Top 12 of the competition.

“I am really proud of our players, for achieving such a placing in this prestigious competition,” ASA president Karl Izzo told the Times of Malta.

“I was very pleased with the team’s performances, especially against Germany and Georgia, where we showed that our country is capable of winning against nations that we never dreamed we could beat.

“Well done to the players, particularly for their performance against Germany, as well as the technical staff for their impeccable work as they have prepared every match to the last detail.

“I am also grateful to all the clubs that have given us well-trained players thanks to the professional coaching set-up in their clubs.”

Izzo said Malta’s achievement takes on more significance when one considers the fact that our national teams cannot have ample time for preparation for such tournaments because they fall midway through the summer season.

“These major competitions always fall midway through the summer season, and therefore, our national teams cannot do like other countries that send their teams for long camps in preparation for such tournaments,” Izzo said.

“Georgia have been training together for more than a month, France for three weeks, Italy have been working for over a month, and so on. If we had the same conditions, I am sure that we could aspire for even better results.

“But all in all, I am happy with the result attained, a top 12 placing that further underlines the fact that our long-term strategy adopted by my administration is bearing the right dividends. I am particularly grateful towards SportMalta and the Ministry for Sport, who have always given us a lot of support during the past months to put our country on the international map of waterpolo.

“Now we have a tough match against Serbia, and if we win will challenge for a top eight placing; if not we will contend the play-offs for ninth and 12th placing. But I am sure the players will give their all as they have always done.”

In the first session, both teams battled hard for supremacy, and six goals were shared by either side. Malta’s scorers were Max Lanzon, Giancarlo Gatt and Jayden Cutajar, from a penalty.

In the second session, the Maltese battled hard as they managed to edge another tight session 3-2 to head into the half-time interval 6-5 ahead. Sam Engerer levelled matters at 4-4 while quickfire goals from Miguel Cassar and Sean Mifsud put the maltese ahead when ends were changed.

Malta put down a marker in the third session where they managed to outplay Georgia, scoring four goals without reply, through Engerer, Gatt, Luigi Dimech and Enrico Mallia, to start the final session 10-5 ahead.

In the last quarter, the Maltese managed to administer their advantage, finding the net three times through Julian Chircop, Max Lanzon and Dimech to seal a vital victory.