Malta men’s national team outlast Andorra to win gold at FIBA Championship for Small States

The Malta men’s basketball national team emulated their female counterparts when they won the gold medal at the FIBA Championship for Small States.

Paul Ferrante’s team had to dig hard before overcoming Andorra 90-76 at the Tercentenary Sports Hall, Gibraltar to complete a perfect week for the men’s selection.

Jordan Tucker was Malta’s leading scorer with 25 points while Michael Sjoberg potted 18.

Malta and Andorra gave life to a real thrilling encounter as neither team could be separated for long spells during the match.

In the first quarter, both teams were glued to each other with the lead changing several times.

However, in the final two minutes, the towering Samuel Deguara and Matthew Tucker scored crucial points to hand the Maltese a four-point cushion – 18-14.

The second quarter maintained the same script with the Maltese administering their advantage before Michael Sjoberg hit a triple to extend the team’s lead to 28-17.

The Andorrans, however, fought back as they made the most of Malta’s failure to score easy points, as they managed to turn the match around and lead by just one point at the half-time interval 35-34.

The third quarter preserved the same script with the Andorrans managing to surge five points clear early on – 41-34.

But the Maltese soon regrouped and Sjoberg tied the match at 46-all with just over five minutes to go.

Andorra again stepped up a gear to open a five-point cushion with less than three minutes to go.

But the Maltese players kept fighting, and Aaron Falzon scored crucial points late on to put the team one point ahead with one session to go – 54-53.

The final quarter was a real battle of wits with a Tucker triple handing Malta a six-point lead – 67-61.

But the Andorra side fought back to make it a four-point gap with less than five minutes to go – 72-68.

An Aaron Falzon three-pointer put Malta firmly in command as they surged nine points clear with four minutes to go.

Malta seemed firmly in command when Tucker converted a quick transition to slam dunk the ball and put the team 83-73 ahead.

Andorra looked dead and buried, and Tucker converted four late free throws to seal a famous victory for Malta.