Dowling's team edges closer to top placings

Turks top group with three wins

Malta 11
Belgium 8
(4-2, 3-0, 3-3, 1-3)

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Dirk Dowling's Malta national waterpolo team edged closer to a top three berth in the qualifying group from the European B Championships in Sweden yesterday morning with a remarkable performance in a comprehensive 11-8 win over Belgium.

This was the second successive victory for Malta in the group after a 10-6 win over Denmark in the national team's opening match on Saturday at the same venue in Eriksdalsbadet, Stockholm.

Malta now stands a good chance of figuring in the top placings of the championships and play in the quarter-finals with an outside chance of earning one of the automatic berths for next year's championships and avoid the qualifying round.

The Maltese yesterday started very strongly against a very physical Belgian side, seeking to win its first points.

Playing some perfect tactical waterpolo with exceptional teamwork, Dowling's lads established a five-goal lead (7-2) by the end of the second session.

In the third period Matthew Pisani and a Belgian opponent were excluded without substitution. This was a hard blow for the team but from that point onwards, Malta just contained their rivals to preserve their lead.

Late in the game the Belgians hit a couple of quick goals to make the score sound even more respectable but at that point Dowling's team was already home and dry.

It was the second successive upset for the Belgians after they were narrowly beaten 9-8 by Turkey on Friday.

The goals for Malta yesterday came from Paul Privitera (3), Jonathan Valletta (2), John Paris (2), Niki Lanzon (2), Charlie Zammit and John Soler. Valletta is the team's top-scorer so far with five goals.

This evening, Malta plays against Turkey in a crucial match for group positions.

The Turks are favourites to top the group after beating Belgium in their opening match on Friday and strong contenders Belarus 6-4 on Saturday. Yesterday, they were made to fight harder than expected by a sprightly Danish team who lost 3-6.

Other results: Sweden 6 Poland 9 (Saturday); Poland 13 Finland 3; Israel 6 Bulgaria 5; Denmark 3 Turkey 6.

Group A: Turkey 6; Malta 4; Belarus 2; Belgium, Denmark 0.

Group B: Poland 6, Ukraine, Israel 4; Sweden 2; Bulgaria, Finland 0.

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