Astounding result for national team in Luxembourg championship

The women's national team wrote a new chapter in the National Basketball Association annals last week after winning the FIBA Europe Division C Championship which was played in Luxembourg.

Coach Santino Coppa and assistant Sandro Farrugia led the Maltese team to a perfect 100 per cent record at the Coque Gymnase arena in Luxembourg City. The result was astounding and an MQS for the team to join the MOC contingent for next year's GSSE in Cyprus.

The eight teams in the championship were divided in Group A and B with the top two qualifying for the semi-finals.

Malta had the better of Albania, Scotland and Wales in Group B before beating Andorra 58-37 in the semi-finals to book a place in the final where they met Albania again. The latter were no match for the Maltese girls on Saturday as they were outclassed for a second time in a space of a few days.

In the group stages Malta had beaten Albania 80-55 and last weekend they repeated the show for a deserved 81-61 victory. With the wily Coppa encouraging his girls from the sidelines and the influential Loretta Ellul, Josephine Grima and Rebecca Brincat Thoresen leading the charge on court, there was little doubt where victory was heading to in the final.

Ellul, Grima and Brincat Thoresen left their mark in all matches. They were nominated in the team of the tournament and the top five selection. Brincat Thorsen, who plays in the German league, was also voted as the Most Valid Player in the championship and top scorer with an average of 22.8 points per game.

Luxembourg were looking to make this tournament a memorable one for them as the country's basketball federation was marking its 75th anniversary.

However, their plans were foiled by Albania in last Friday's semi-final (73-61). On Saturday, Luxembourg partially made up for that upset by beating fellow GSSE hopefuls Andorra (55-45) in the play-off for third place.

The women's national team has figured regularly in the European Division C Championship lately and obtained positive results in this competition. The best one, before last week, was that of 2004 when a third place granted the Maltese girls participation in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The contingent in Luxembourg was led by MBA secretary general Frank Camilleri. Apart from his duties for the national team, Camilleri also attended a meeting of FIBA Europe for the small states in the continent.

Success for the women's team came as a bit of a surprise for Camilleri even though he was convinced there would be an improvement over the 2006 performance.

"We knew we could improve on the fourth placing of two years ago, but winning the championship was something we never imagined it could really happen," he told The Times.

"In 2004 we finished third and qualified for the Commonwealths. We thought that was the best result we could have ever achieved but, it seems, coach Santino Coppa and his players had other ideas in mind.

"The gold medal in the 2003 GSSE was another remarkable result for this team but winning the Luxembourg competition is more prestigious. Now, we have to decide whether to compete in Division B next time or stay in Division C. It's still premature to talk about the issue but we're keeping all our options open."

Camilleri said the success achieved in Luxembourg was the fruit of hard work and all-round commitment of those involved.

"I would like to thank the girls for their contribution to this success," he said.

"They gave their all and followed all instructions to the book. Coppa and his staff did wonders once again. We hope to have Coppa with us for many more years... he has an open contract at the MBA.

"I would also like to show my gratitude to those who are not involved in any MBA board or committee but still give a sterling contribution to the sport. At this moment of glory I cannot forget about people like Costantino Axisa, among others. His research work is of great value to the association."

Coppa's squad
Rebecca Brincat Thoresen, Joselle Cardona, Loretta Ellul, Caroline Fenech, Josephine Grima, Christina Grima, Kirsten Micallef, Doreen Micallef, Leanne Sciberras, Amanda Sciortino, Beverlee Zammit.

Malta's results
Group stage: vs Albania 80-55; vs Scotland 75-50; vs Wales 60-41.
Semi-final: vs Andorra 58-37.
Final: vs Albania 81-61.

Final positions
1. Malta
2. Albania
3. Luxembourg
4. Andorra
5. Scotland
6. Wales
7. Azerbaijan
8. Gibraltar