Malta storm to victory

Malta 15
Belgium 8
(3-2, 4-1, 4-3, 4-2)

Malta stormed to victory in their opening Group A match of the LEN European Nations Trophy, at the Manchester Aquatics Centre, following a convincing triumph over Belgium yesterday.

John Soler, with five goals, and Steve Camilleri, with four, starred for Malta, who dominated proceedings with a physical performance.

Soler scored the opening goal of the tournament in the first quarter, before Malta captain Paul Privitera and Camilleri added two other goals and Cedric Grammens scoring twice for Belgium.

Four unanswered goals in the second quarter handed the initiative to Malta. Belgium's Thomas Delorge had opened the second period with an extra-man goal, but the remainder of the session was all Malta, with Matthew Zammit scoring twice. Soler and Camilleri added further goals.

Belgium scored first in the third when De Boever converted an extra-man opportunity. But Camilleri notched his third goal of the game from a man-up at the other end.

Soler, then, scored twice in quick succession before the Maltese conceded a penalty, which Belgium's captain Tom Van Oost converted.

Samuel Gomez reduced the deficit to four (10-6), but Privitera scored his second of the game to restore the five-goal advantage.

Van Oost conceded a penalty early in the fourth, which Camilleri executed, before the Belgian skipper pulled a goal back. Belgium then forced an exclusion and the coach called a time-out in a desperate attempt to galvanise his side to claw back five goals.

De Boever scored from the extra man, but Malta pressed again, with Michele Stellini, Karl Montfort and Soler adding further strikes.

Malta: J. Cachia, N. Lanzon, P. Fava, P. Privitera 2, M. Meli, J. Soler 5, S. Camilleri 4, J. Borg, K. Montfort 1, M. Zammit 2, C. Mercieca, M. Stellini 1, I. Bugeja.

Today: Malta vs Montenegro.