Squash ladies win gold again

Another classy performance from the ladies' squash team secured Malta another gold medal yesterday. After Dianne Desira and Michael Fiteni struck gold in the singles, Malta's dominance was again in evidence yesterday as the ladies' team had a straight 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein to seal their golden success, a feat they had achieved in the 1999 Games.

Needing to win six games to assure themselves of the top prize, Therese Camilleri and Annabelle Diamantino quickly accomplished the mission with identical 3-0 successes over Nicole Rothmund and Isabelle Sele respectively.

There were jubilant scenes as the rejuvenated Camilleri finished her match with Rothmund 3-0 to rubberstamp Malta's success. A few minutes earlier, Diamantino completed her match against Sele in similar emphatic fashion.

Desira's match against Angelika Hoch only had academic significance but Malta's no. 1 seed did not disappoint, brushing aside her opponent 3-0.

The women's team success rounded off an excellent GSSE for Desira who has landed two gold medals without losing a match.

"I enjoyed every single match here and I am extremely happy to win another gold medal," Desira said.

Camilleri said she found it hard to come to terms with her upsets in the singles.

"I am feeling a bit better now. It's great to be part of this team that has won gold," she said.

Men's team beaten

Meanwhile, the men's team yesterday succumbed to a first setback in the team tournament when they lost to Liechtenstein 4-1. Our only point came from Fiteni who beat Marcel Rothmund 3-1.

Today, the last matches will be played at the Marsa Sports Club. Liechtenstein should make sure of their gold medal with another win against Monaco while Malta and Cyprus will fight it out for the silver medal.