Malta 57
Scotland 39
(16-15, 13-8, 12-9, 16-7)

Malta's national women's team yesterday chalked up their third successive victory in the Promotion Cup group matches, currently being played in Andorra, after beating Scotland 57-39.

The win moved Santino Coppa and Carlo Farrugia's team within sight of an unprecedented place on the winners' rostrum this weekend.

The Maltese are still unbeaten so far but today they face a mighty task in their bid to gain a place in tomorrow's final when playing against favourites Iceland in the last match from the round robin phase.

The top team in Group A will play the Group B winners for the gold medal. The two runners-up will figure in the play-off for third place. Cyprus, Luxembourg and Armenia are in the running for the top two places in Group B.

Today, Iceland will be seeking revenge for last year's GSSE upset at the University Sports Hall. On that occasion, the Maltese beat their Nordic rivals 59-47 in the opening match on their way to an historic gold medal. In the end, Iceland had to settle for third place.

Meanwhile, Malta's victory yesterday also meant that the national team has now made it to next year's qualifying phase for the 2006 Commonwealth Games which will be held in Melbourne.

A triangular tournament will be played in England, involving the hosts, Malta and either Cyprus or Scotland. The two best-placed teams progress to the finals.