Malta opened their 2026 EuroHockey Championship II qualifier campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Greece.
After a goalless opening quarter, the Greeks took a two-goal lead in the third quarter thanks to a brace from Paris Welzel, putting them in a commanding position.
However, the Maltese refused to give up. Thomas Degiovanni pulled one back from a penalty corner before the same player converted another penalty corner in the final quarter to level the scores at 2-2.
With just three minutes remaining, Redeemer Rapinett led a swift attack and found Joe Ellul-Turner, who finished clinically with a powerful hit to score the winning goal and earn Malta three valuable points.
It was a performance full of determination and character from the Maltese side, who kept believing until the final whistle and were rewarded with a memorable victory.
Malta return to action on Friday in their second match in Helsinki, where they will face Finland at 4.30pm.
Malta: Marvin Grixti, Shawn Dimech, Xandru Mifsud Bonnici Weiss, Thomas Degiovanni ©, Nicolai Runza, Redeemer Rapinett, Christ Agius, Keith Calleja, Joseph Ellul-Turner, Alexander Kirton, Luca Fsadni.
Substitutes: Karl Chircop, Charlo Sammut, Nathan Pace Gasan, Neil Spiteri, Lukas Brincat, Kieran Borg, Aaron Spiteri.
Author
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 hour agoUS star Pulisic fractured leg in Belgium loss: team
Star forward Christian Pulisic fractured his leg during the United States' crushing 4-1 World...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 hours agoHaaland relishing ‘special’ World Cup showdown with England
Erling Haaland said facing England, the land of his birth, in the World Cup...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 11 hours agoMbappe strikes again as France beat Morocco to reach World Cup semi-finals
Kylian Mbappe recovered from having a first-half penalty saved to score a magnificent opener...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 15 hours agoEngland’s Quansah handed two-game World Cup ban
England defender Jarell Quansah will miss Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Norway, and the...
By AFP