Maltese teams leave for Gent tomorrow

Malta's national team will leave for Belgium tomorrow ahead of their participation in the European Teams Snooker Championships, to be held in Gent between next Sunday and March 5.

The Maltese selection is composed of Simon Zammit, Duncan Bezzina and Clint Grima.

Alex Borg is not in the team as he will be taking part in the qualifiers for the World Championship in Prestatyn, Wales. Veteran Joe Grech is also unavailable.

After winning the first two championships in 2004 and 2005, Malta's bid to make it three in a row ended in the semi-finals at last year's tournament.

This year, Malta were drawn with Belgium, France, Iceland and Finland in the group stages. Twenty nations will be taking part in these championships.

Also in Gent, Tony Mifsud and Frans Mintoff will team up for Malta in the Masters event (over 40). This will be the 13th consecutive year that Mifsud has participated in the European Masters.

Mifsud and Mintoff were also eliminated in the semi-finals last year. Malta's Masters team will face Belgium, Ireland, Holland and Iceland in the group stages.

Paul Galea will accompany the Maltese teams as delegate but he will also referee some matches from the European Championships.