Brave Maltese girls eclipsed in final stages

A last-gasp surge by Luxembourg put paid to Malta's hopes of contesting the final of the Promotion Cup after the hosts finished on the receiving end of a 60-65 defeat in yesterday's first semi-final.

Cheered on by a sizeable crowd at the Ta' Qali pavilion, Malta took the first session 18-15 but Luxembourg managed to level the score at 30-30 until half-time.

Santino Coppa's girls continued to perform bravely to start the fourth and final quarter only one point adrift of Luxembourg, 38-37. The contest remained balanced in the final session but Luxembourg secured the game and a place in the final with a three-pointer and a shot in the dying stages.

Josephine Grima was once again Malta's top scorer with 21 points. Dorianne Galea and Beverlee Zammit were next in Malta's scoring charts with 15 and 14 points respectively.

Malta will today contest the third/fourth place match against Moldova. The latter yesterday lost 68-48 to Scotland who will play Luxembourg in today's final match.

Today's programme: 3.15 p.m. Malta vs Moldova; 5.30 p.m. Scotland vs Luxembourg.