MALTA 13
SLOVENIA 10
(4-4, 2-3, 5-1, 2-2)
It was a mission accomplished for Malta on Sunday.
It was the first international success for the waterpolo national team since their success in the EU 8 Nations Tournament in Limerick in 2014.
The way, Milan Cirovic’s men negotiated the last hurdle against Slovenia augurs well for the national team’s upcoming commitments in Istanbul where Malta will play Singapore and Germany in Division 2 of the World Cup 2025.
The success in the SportMalta Christmas Cup turned out to be an exceptional feat which has further consolidated our high position in the continental middle order, playing against teams in the Top 16 such as Slovenia and Slovakia.
The only blemish for the Maltese team in this tournament was the unexpected 18-17 defeat at the hands of Portugal after a penalty shoot-out.
On Sunday, Malta fired on all ammunition in the third session to dismiss Slovenia and effectively put a stronghold on the Christmas Cup.
Goals at both ends brought the first session to a close with a pyrotechnical 4-4 scoreline.
Malta edged in front most of the time but Slovenia fought back each time to level the score on every occasion.
A quick brace from Steve Camilleri initially swayed the game the hosts’ way but Slovenia fought back to make it 3-3.
Zack Mizzi scored a great backhand to nose his team 4-3 in front Matija Canc converted a last-gasp shot to end the first session on level terms.
Early in the second session, Camilleri squeezed the ball in to make it 5-4.
However, Malta’s aggression went slightly on the wane at this juncture. Enej Potocnik profited from these circumstances to put Slovenia in front for the first time 6-5.
Camilleri addressed the situation immediately but Juris Siljak allowed the visitors to change ends 7-6 ahead.
In the third part of the game, the Maltese administered the same medicine on their opponents as they upped their game to score five times through the hard-working Matthias Azzopardi, Nikolai Zammit, Jerome Zerafa Gregory, Jake Bonavia and Liam Galea to take a commanding lead.
So, it was 11-8 for Malta with eight minutes left.
Two goals apiece in the last session kept Slovenia at arms’ length. It was a solid performance backed by an unyielding rearguard whose extreme defender Benji Busuttil oozed confidence among his colleagues.
Zammit and Mizzi scored for Malta for a final 13-10 scoreline.
MALTA: B. Busuttil, Z. Mizzi 2, L. Galea 2, R. Caruana, S. Gialanzè, B. Cachia, S. Camilleri 4, J. Bonavia 1, J. Abela, N. Zammit 2, D. Zammit, M. Azzopardi 1, M. Bonello DuPuis, J. Zerafa Gregory 1.
SLOVENIA: J. Beton, V. Stefanovic 1, M. Santak 2, E. Potocnik 2 , L. Gilgoroviski, J. Seljak 1, N.Stromajer , A. Paunovio 1, J. Voncina , N. Miletic, A. Troppan 1, M. Canc 2, B.Udovic, B. Stromajer.
Refs M. Angilleri, S. Licari.
