The Malta water polo national team etched their name into the history books in Belgrade after clinching their best-ever finish at a European Championship finals, defeating Slovenia 14โ13 to secure 13th place overall.
Milan Cirovicโs side once again demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience, fending off a determined Slovenian challenge to complete a perfect run in the positional play-offs, registering three wins from three matches.
Ivan Nagaev and Liam Galea were instrumental in Sundayโs success, with Nagaev leading the scoring with five goals and Galea adding four. Captain Stevie Camilleri delivered another inspirational performance, notching a hat-trick, while Alec Fenech and Matthew Zammit also found the net.
The achievement came amid off-pool distractions following media reports that several players were under investigation for alleged match-fixing related to the tournament opener against Montenegro. Despite the outside noise, the Maltese players deserve immense credit for remaining focused and producing when it mattered most.
Malta made a bright start, opening the scoring through Nagaev, who converted the first man-up opportunity of the match. Slovenia responded through Enej Potoฤnik, but the Maltese quickly regained the lead thanks to a powerful drive by Galea, before Camilleri extended the advantage to 3โ1 with a clinical central effort.
Slovenia hit back through two close-range strikes by Vukaลก Stefanoviฤ to restore parity. Maltaโs efficiency in front of goal then dipped, allowing Potoฤnik to give Slovenia a 4โ3 lead at the end of the first session.
The Maltese regrouped in the second quarter, with Galea levelling the score with a long-range shot. Potoฤnik once again put Slovenia ahead, but Camilleri capitalised on a man-up situation to make it 5โ5. Nagaev then struck a powerful drive to give Malta a 6โ5 lead, only for Stefanoviฤ to respond from distance. Fenech restored Maltaโs advantage with a thunderous effort, but Slovenia continued to threaten, Potoฤnik making it 7โ7.
The end-to-end nature of the contest continued as Matija Canc edged Slovenia ahead once more, before Galea ensured the teams went into the long break level at 8โ8.
In the third session, Nikolai Zammit showed great awareness to regain possession after hitting the post and then set up club teammate Matthew Zammit to put Malta 9โ8 ahead. Slovenia replied immediately through Nace Stromajer, and the sides continued to trade goals. Further strikes from Camilleri and Nagaev saw the teams enter the final quarter locked at 11โ11.
Nagaev once again stepped up to put Malta in front, before Galea handed his side a crucial two-goal cushion at 13โ11. Slovenia refused to surrender, with Stromajer pulling one back, but Nagaev restored the two-goal advantage with a six-metre shot.
Although Jaลกa Kadivec gave Slovenia late hope, Malta held firm in the closing moments, defending resolutely to seal a famous victory and a landmark 13th-place finish at the European Championships.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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