Enthusiastic crowd drives Coppa's girls to victory

Malta 64 Cyprus 42
(12-12, 9-8, 25-7, 18-15)

The ecstatic crowd that thronged the University Sports Complex last night was witness to an historic sporting feat for Malta as the basketball women's team atoned for their male counterparts' poor showing this week by claiming a first-ever GSSE gold medal.

Santino Coppa's girls had started the tournament with a bronze medal as their target but in yesterday's decisive match against Cyprus the gold medal was at stake and the locals were up for the occasion with a fine display that had solid play and cohesion at its core.

The Cypriots started favourites but were always second best on the night as the only time they managed to take the lead was midway through the second session 19-18. But Malta were soon in the driving seat again, going in for the break 21-20 in front.

Coppa's half-time pep-talk left its effect as his players' second-half burst was tremendous to say the least.

The team, roared on by the fans, were doing all the running now, leaving Cyprus to chase shadows all the way. Before the last session got underway Malta were leading 46-27, a good-enough advantage which Malta administered to the wild cheers of the crowd.

"This is all the fruit of our hard work and dedication at the association," an elated MBA head Antonio Mizzi was quoted as saying after the match.

"Santino Coppa did a wonderful job and deserves credit for what he has achieved. We hope this is only the beginning of greater achievements. The atmosphere was great... this is a memorable moment indeed."

Coppa was also delighted with the outcome.

"This was not an easy match, I can assure you," he said.

"It was this crowd that kept us going. The girls were tense at first but then they settled down pretty well, never giving Cyprus a chance to adopt their style of play."

Malta: R. Tryon (2), D. Galea (15), S. Schembri Wismayer (4), L. Bezzina, E. Jetcheva (8), M. Zammit, D. Parnis (3), D. Aquilina, M. Vella (1), E. Farrugia (19), J. Grima (10), C. Fenech (2).

Semi-finals (men): Cyprus vs San Marino 76-61; Iceland vs Luxembourg 77-60.

Play-off for fifth place: Monaco vs Andorra 68-69.

Play-off for third place (women): Luxembourg vs Iceland 56-60.