Youth team in Budapest training camp

The youth waterpolo national team (picture) has set off to Budapest for a week-long training camp in preparation of the European Youth Championships which will be held in Malta between September 8 and 15.

In Hungary, the 15 players selected to form part of the squad will be training with the BVSC waterpolo team.

The championships will see the participation of 16 teams. As hosts, Malta qualified automatically.

The teams will be divided in four groups. Malta is in Group B together with Greece, Italy and Spain. Group A is made up of the Netherlands, Slovenia, Hungary and France. Group C consists of Poland, Belarus, Serbia and Slovakia while Turkey, Montenegro, Romania and Croatia form Group D.

Robert Ebejer, president of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, said:

"We thank Wilkinson Sword for sponsoring Maltese waterpolo and making professional training, including camps abroad, possible through their constant support.

"This is helping the association and the national teams achieve their aim to improve standards and be able to compete with other foreign players renowned for their professionalism and technique."

In the group stage, Malta will play against Italy on September 8 (6.45 p.m.); vs Spain on September 9 (6.45 p.m.) and vs Greece on September 10 (6.45 p.m.).

The first two teams in each group will proceed to play for the first eight placings.

The rest will figure in classification matches.