Coach Milan Cirovic wants more from Malta players in crucial France match at Euros

­Milan Cirovic, the coach of the Malta water polo national team, has issued a rallying cry to his players ahead of a crucial group match against France at the 2026 European Championship finals in Belgrade on Monday (start: 12.45 pm).

Malta opened their European Championship campaign with a 21-12 defeat to powerhouse Montenegro.

However, their biggest focus has always been the

match against France, a country that could potentially provide the Maltese a glimmer of hope of securing a win that could earn them a top-three placing and a historic top 12 placing in the continental finals.

Although the defeat to the former Olympic medallists Montenegro was somewhat expected, coach Milan Cirovic was not happy with his team’s performance and is demanding more.

“No, I’m not satisfied with today’s performance against Montenegro,” Cirovic told the Times of Malta after Saturday’s match.

“I know that the team can and must do much better. We had that big drop in the second quarter, even then we created some good chances in attack, but we didn’t finish them as a team, and we were punished for that against a quality side like Montenegro.”

Malta and France were in the same qualifying group and in the final match of that campaign, the French only prevailed over Cirovic’s boys courtesy of a penalty shoot-out, inevitably raising the prospects of a closer showdown this afternoon.

France opened their championship campaign with a 15-7 defeat to group favourites Hungary on Saturday and Malta coach Cirovic believes his team must show better organisation if they are to upset the French.

“For the game against France, we have to improve our organisation and communication, both in attack and defence,” Cirovic said.

“I am sure that my players will give their maximum, we must be focused to carry out our game plan from start to finish.

“The match against France is a great chance for us to enter the top 12. It won’t be easy, but I’m sure we have chances and quality. Each of us has our own role in the team; if we fulfill it, we hope for the best.”