Malta waterpolo edge past Israel to bag first win at Euros, stay on course for 13th-place finish

MALTA           15

ISRAEL          14

(5-5, 4-2, 3-4, 3-3)

The Malta waterpolo national team secured its first win at the European Championship finals following a thrilling 15-14 win over Israel in Belgrade.

The match turned out to be a nail-biting contest with the Maltese seemingly in control when surging three goals ahead in the third session.

But Israel fought back strongly and managed to turn the game around in the last session, taking a one-goal lead, which left the Maltese fearing the worst.

However, Ivan Nagaev came to the team’s rescue when he grabbed his sixth goal of the match to tie things up before Nikolai Zammit slammed home the winner that keeps the team still on course to finish in 13th place.

Malta will now be back in action on Saturday when they face Slovakia in another must-win match.

There was little separating either side during the first session, with both teams excelling in attack, but defensively, they lacked the necessary composure.

It was Israel who led the way for the opening part, taking the lead three times, but each time the Maltese managed to fight back as goals from Jayden Cutajar, Stevie Camilleri, and Benjamin Cachia levelled matters at 3-3.

Nikolai Zammit gave Malta the lead for the time, but the Israelis hit back strongly, scoring twice through Ori Buzaglo and Amir Shafrir.

However, a Camilleri penalty left the two teams locked at five-all at the end of the quarter.

A swift break early in the second session enabled Ivan Nagaev to put Malta back in front, 6-5.

Vlad Beglin equalised for Israel, but Nagaev was soon again on the mark again with a six-metre shot to put Malta 7-6 ahead.

The Russian-born forward continued to be decisive as his fine lob gave Malta a two-goal cushion – 8-6.

Israel were looking in disarray, particularly in attack, where they were struggling to conclude their attacks due to the stringent Maltese defence.

Stevie Camilleri further rubberstamped Malta’s authority with a firm drive to stretch the lead to three goals – 9-6.

Yoav Rendler pulled one back for Israel to change ends two goals behind – 7-9.

A Camilleri penalty in the third session stretched the lead to 10-7 before Buzaglo pulled one back.

But the Maltese continued defend solidly, and in a quick break, Nagaev made it 11-8.

Israel refused to throw in the towel, and successive goals from Shafrir and Or Schlein bridged the gap to just one goal – 11-10.

Nagaev made it 12-10 but soon after Gil Gvishi beat Tanti to keep the game wide open ahead of the final session.

The match turned out to be a real thriller as Igo Goldschmidt restored equilibrium.

It was tit-for-tat as Camilleri put Malta back in front but two consecutive goals from Ronen Gros put Israel ahead with less than four minutes to go.

Nagaev here came to the fore as his sublime lob levelled matters and at the other end Nicky Grixti produced a smart save on Itai Roth to leave the team with the opportunity to go on and win it.

The Maltese charged forward and Jake Bonavia set up Nikolai Zammit fire home and secure Malta’s first win at the Euros and keep them on track to finish in 13th place.