The Malta waterpolo national team delivered a commanding display to defeat Slovakia 20โ11 at the European Championship finals in Belgrade, moving a step closer to securing a historic 13th-place finish.
It was a powerful response from Milan Cirovicโs side, who set aside the distractions of the previous 24 hours to produce their most complete performance of the tournament. Focused, disciplined and ruthless in attack, the Maltese outplayed Slovakia in all departments and now need at least a draw against Slovenia on Sunday to confirm their best-ever placing at a European Championship.
ASA president Karl Izzo praised the teamโs character and performance following the final whistle.
โThis was without doubt Maltaโs best display at a European Championship,โ Izzo said. โAfter all the speculation and reports leading into the match, the players showed tremendous mental strength to outclass a strong Slovak side. Our defence was excellent, and we were extremely efficient going forward. This first-ever European Championship win against Slovakia shows we are closing the gap on nations just above us.โ
Maltaโs captain Stevie Camilleri led by example with six goals, while Alec Fenech added five and Liam Galea contributed four. Elijah Schembri netted twice, with Nikolai Zammit, Ivan Nagaev and Ben Plumpton also getting on the scoresheet.
The opening session was a stern test of Maltaโs resolve. Slovakia raced into a two-goal lead through Adam Furman and Maros Tkac, before Camilleri reduced the deficit from the penalty spot. Samuel Bala restored Slovakiaโs cushion, but Malta responded through Camilleri again. Marco Mihal kept Slovakia in front until late goals from Fenech and Zammit brought Malta level at 4โ4.
Malta then seized control of the match in the second session. Camilleri converted a man-up opportunity, Nagaev scored from the penalty spot, and further goals from Schembri, Galea and Fenech saw Malta surge ahead. By half-time, Camilleri and Fenech had added to the tally as Malta turned ends with an 11โ8 advantage.
The third session further underlined Maltaโs authority. Galea struck from long range, while the Maltese defence tightened, limiting Slovakiaโs scoring chances. Nagaev sparked a swift counter-attack that ended with Galea making it 13โ8, before Fenechโs penalty gave Malta a comfortable 14โ9 lead going into the final quarter.
Any lingering doubts were quickly dispelled in the fourth session. Galea won an early penalty that Camilleri converted, and Malta continued to pour forward. Goals from Schembri, Plumpton and Camilleri stretched the lead to 18โ9, with Galea and Fenech adding further strikes to complete a dominant performance. Late goals from Matej Caraj and Tomas Bielik proved little more than consolation for Slovakia.
With momentum firmly on their side, Malta now turn their attention to Sundayโs clash against Slovenia, knowing that a win or a draw would secure a landmark 13th-place finish at the European Championship finals.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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