The Malta Handball Association hosted the 2025 edition of the Women’s Louis Borg Cup, delivering a series of competitive games featuring teams from both the Premier and First Divisions.
Swieqi Gasan Mamo Phoenix claimed the prestigious title after a series of dominant performances, capped by a decisive win in the final match of the tournament.
FINAL MATCH – Kavallieri RS2 vs Swieqi Phoenix – 21–39
Top Scorers:
Kavallieri: R. Ciantar 10, M. Saliba 7, J. Ellul 2
Phoenix: E. Schiavone 11, A. Gałązka 11, I. Drugovic 6
The final match of the Women’s Louis Borg Cup between Kavallieri RS2 and Swieqi Phoenix proved deciscive in determining which Club took the Cup home. Kavallieri, who were without several key players throughout the competition, showed determination but found it difficult to match Phoenix’s steady and composed play over the course of the competition.
Although Phoenix opened the tournament with a loss, they quickly recovered, going on to win all their remaining fixtures with consistency and control. Phoenix’s depth, tactical discipline, and ability to handle high-pressure moments played an important role in the team securing the return of the Louis Borg Cup to their club for another year.
In the meantime, the men’s divisions delivered a highly competitive set of Knock Out quarter-final clashes.
HMS vs Swieqi Gasan Mamo Phoenix – 25–35
Top Scorers:
HMS: C. Magro 7, N. Grupetta 6, S. Petrovski 3
Phoenix: B. Spiteri 12, I. Vella 6, M. Wypych 6
First Division leaders HMS opened strongly, surprising current Premier Division champions Phoenix with an energetic first half. However, Phoenix’s experience and depth proved decisive as they took control after the break, cruising to a confident 10-goal victory.
Valletta vs La Salle Karrettun – 27–48
Top Scorers:
Valletta: E. Ciappara 7, B. Galea 7, R. Mayurama 5
La Salle: N. Grupetta 12, A. Portelli 6, S. Ukai 5
La Salle’s seasoned squad dominated from start to finish, securing a comfortable win over Valletta. Despite the defeat, Valletta continued to showcase promising young talent, a positive sign for their long-term development.
Żebbuġ Wurth Malta Phoenix vs Kavallieri RS2 – 24–49
Top Scorers:
Żebbuġ: M. Milojevic 10, S. Bracken 4, O. Ben Nasr 4
Kavallieri: J. Zammit 11, P. Calvo 10, B. Galea 7
Kavallieri delivered one of the tournament’s most one-sided results, capitalising on fast breaks and clinical finishing. With the match firmly in hand, Kavallieri also provided valuable court time to their younger players.
Shooting Stars vs Ħamrun ESS Phoenix – 28–38
Top Scorers:
Shooting Stars: L. Spiteri 4, J. Grech 4, A. Vella Sargent 4
Ħamrun: I. Vella 17, J. Spiteri 9, M. Galea 7
Shooting Stars kept the match tight until the 40-minute mark, but a standout performance from Isaac Vella, who scored an impressive 17 goals, propelled Ħamrun to a strong finish and a well-earned place in the semi-finals.
The Men’s Knock Out Semifinals will be held on December 20 at 2pm and 3:30pm, featuring two exciting matchups: Swieqi Gasan Mamo Phoenix vs La Salle Karretun, and Kavallieri RS2 vs Hamrun ESS Phoenix.
National Coaching License
In the meantime, Malta Handball Association will be launching its National Coaching Licence System in Line with EHF Master Plan, a key milestone within the Association’s long-term Technical Master Plan submitted to the European Handball Federation (EHF).
This initiative forms part of the technical and structural work required to meet the KPIs outlined in the EHF Master Plan, supporting the ongoing professionalisation and development of handball coaching in Malta.
The licensing structure aligns with international standards and addresses the needs of Maltese handball across all levels – from Mini Handball to Master Coach All qualified coaches are now invited to register for licensing. This process is mandatory for coaches wishing to remain active within the national handball structure for the 2025/2026 season and beyond.
Registration is to be completed online via the link provided here.
Registration Deadline: December 17, 2025
Coaches will be required to list their coaching engagements for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons, and to detail their participation in relevant meetings, seminars, and courses.
To retain their licence, coaches must also attend Continuous Professional Development (CPD) sessions appropriate to the level of their academic and handball coaching qualifications.
“The introduction of the Coaching Licence System reflects the Association’s commitment to raising coaching standards, enhancing pathways, and ensuring sustainable technical growth within Maltese handball,” said Daniel Tabone, president of the Malta Handball Association.
