Sliema and San Ġiljan both cruised into the Top 8 of the European Aquatics Challenger Cup after securing emphatic victories in their opening matches of the second qualifying stage of the continental competition.
With two teams from each group progressing to the Top 8, both Sliema and San Ġiljan needed a win to book their place in the final stages of the competition.
In Lithuania, Sliema ASC proved too strong for Finnish side Cetus Espoo as they cruised to a 23-14 win.
After a rather balanced opening two sessions, Sliema stepped up a gear in the final two quarters, as they completely outplayed their opponents to secure a crucial victory.
Jayden Cassar was Sliema’s leading scorer when netting four goals while Benjamin Cachia grabbed a hat-trick.
The other scorers for the Blues were Liam Galea, Niccolo Gitto, Elijah Schembri, Aleksandar Ivovic, Jake Cachia, and Julian Chircop, who all netted a brace, while Dino Zammit also put his name on the scoresheet.
On Sunday, Sliema will battle for top spot when they take on last year’s Challenger finalists EVK Zaibas on Sunday morning.
The Lithuanian side progressed with a 21-11 win over Cetus Espoo on Friday.
In Slovenia, San Ġiljan were in a class of their own as they overwhelmed Bosnia and Herzegovina side VK Banja Luka.
The match turned out to be a no-contest as the Saints raced into a commanding 13-2 win after the opening two sessions, and from then on San Ġiljan kept piling the goals without conceding any.
Russell Caruana netted five goals, while Matthew Zammit and Gabriel Bonavia scored four. Alika Naone and Nikolai Zammit grabbed a hat-trick while Nico Schiavone, Shailon Cutajar, and Luigi Dimech grabbed a brace. Darren Zammit and Dean Bugeja netted the other goals for the Malta champions.
San Ġiljan will eye top spot when they face Slovenias Branik Maribor on Sunday morning.
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