Take it to the hole!

My friend Cikku and I were watching one of our favourite programmes on television... Flog it!

For those of you who haven't had the chance to watch this simple programme, it is all about the evaluation and eventual sale of antiques at an auction.

People bring in old things they don't really want and the experts tell them what they could get from selling them.

Obviously the experts are not always right and sometimes their estimates do appear to be a bit enterprising.

Cikku and I often try to give our own price in the brief glimpse that we get at the items and more often than not I get closer to the eventual selling price than he does!

It is all about instinct, as I explained to Cikku, sometimes the minute you see something you have a feel good moment that tells you, you are on to a winner!

Full Marks?

As I write this, Mark Micallef has been on the island for about 23 hours and thirty-six minutes.

Not a very long time. Moreover I only saw him for about half an hour, however, in that short time he has given me that feel good feeling!

Oh yes, let me make it clear from now that I am talking about basketball!

Micallef is a 30-year-old basketball player who plays for the Toowoomba (Believe me it its not a derivative of to woo MBA) Mountaineers.

The MBA had been looking into Maltese citizens who play abroad and Mark's name was one of several that popped up.

Eventually it was decided that he would join the team preparing for the GSSE and on Wednesday, he arrived after a long haul from 'down under'.

Despite the fatigue of such a long journey, Micallef joined the national team for a training session in the evening and left a very good impression.

He managed to fit in with the team in a matter of minutes and displayed good fundamentals and, more importantly, great court savvy.

It is hard to judge someone in such a short time but there is no doubt that he will strengthen Malta's front court. Watch this space for more info about the new addition to the national team.

Hot weather? Still warming up!

As the GSSE get closer, preparations of both the women's and men's national teams are in full swing.

The women's team will have a tough test this weekend when they play a quadrangular tournament featuring England, Scotland and an Italian Selection hailing from Sicily. This competition will enable coach Santino Coppa to fine-tune the preparations for June's tournament.

A good level of basketball can be expected with England probably favourites to win the tournament on paper. The quadrangular can also allow everyone out there to practise shouting "Malta! Malta!" so why not give our girls the support they deserve.

Today's games will be played at University with England tipping off the tournament against the Italian Selection (6 p.m.) while Malta face Scotland at 8 p.m. A full programme of the tournament may be found at http://www.mba.org.mt

Your very last chance!

Voting in the Maltahoops Player of the Year Poll is almost over. Tomorrow the polls close and next week the results will be published. Would you like to cast your vote? Join Maltahoops at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/maltahoops/

A coaching clinic is being organised in connection with the quadrangular tournament being held this weekend. If you haven't already applied the MBA can be contacted on 21-430950. Pick up the phone now!