Cremona's wins help CS Reggiana reach final

Massimo Cremona, Joseph Mifsud, Hansel Mallia and Mark Gauci were among the 200 participants in the Major of Mons tournament, organised last weekend by Belgian club AS Hennuyer.

In Saturday's team event, CS Reggiana reached the final where they lost 4-0 to Napoli. Cremona figured in the seven matches played by CS Reggiana, winning six before losing the final game. Cremona's three wins from the last 16 stage till the semi-final were crucial for CS Reggiana's progress.

In the last 16, Cremona beat Roufoss 6-3 as Reggiana edged Vervier 2-1. Also at this stage, Mifsud did well to help Hennuyer defeat Hitdorf 3-1 while Mallia, playing for Hennuyer's second team, helped them reach the last 16 where they were outgunned by Bologna 4-0.

In the quarter-finals, Cremona had a tough time beating Jean Einsle 3-2 as Reggiana knocked out Hennuyer 2-1.

In the semis, Cremona's 4-0 victory over Heider inched Reggiana past Austrian side Mattesburg by the odd goal in three. CS Reggiana thus made it to the final of this prestigious event for the first time but they failed to take the title after their defeat to Napoli. Cremona lost 2-0 to Hanotoiux in the final.

The individual event, played on Sunday, turned out to be a disappointing experience for the four Maltese players.

In the last 64, Mifsud was eliminated by Frenchman Gorgette 1-2 on golden goal, Mallia went down to Austrian Matzinger 0-1 and Gauci lost to Belgian Dejarden 0-2.

Cremona made it past the last 64 stage, needing a golden goal to dismiss Spanish Gomes 2-1 but the Maltese player's run was halted by Reggiana team-mate Lamberti (2-1) in the last 32 round.

Guimares of Portugal was the winner of the event thanks to a 3-2 defeat of Spain's Flores in the final.

This weekend, Cremona will travel to Bologna where he will be making his debut in the Italian Serie A clubs' league.