Malta U-18 lose to Czechia to finish 14th at European Championship

The Malta U-18 women’s national team concluded their participation in the European Championships in 14th place after being defeated by Czechia 16-10 at the National Pool.

Aurelien Cousin’s girls were in the match for much of the opening two sessions, but then fatigue crept into the players and the Czechs pulled away in the final two quarters to secure the win.

However, irrespective of the final result, it was a positive week for the Maltese side, who showed that they are developing well on the international scene, and coming away with three wins is certainly a great sign of the huge promise this side has.

The first session turned out to be a hard-fought affair with both teams going for each other, sharing eight goals.

Eyla Schembri grabbed a hat-trick with the other goal coming from Ella Miceli.

In the second session, there was little separating either side, with the lead changing from one end to the other.

Four goals were shared with Schembri again hitting the target, and Nevise Agius also put her name on the scoresheet, as both teams changed ends, level at six-all.

In the third session, the Czechs stepped up their game, scoring four goals without reply as the hosts struggled to keep abreast.

Ella Miceli pulled a goal back but the Czechs were clearly on top as they headed for the final session with a commanding 11-7 lead.

The final quarter saw the Czechs administer their lead despite the home side’s efforts to try and claw themselves back into contention.

The Maltese girls managed to score four times through Holly Camilleri, twice, Chloe Amato, and Kaylen Cutajar, but it was the Czechs who came out on top with a 16-11 win.