Plucky Malta succumb to RN Sori
Malta 6RN Sori 16(3-6, 2-5, 1-3, 0-2) It was to be expected. The gulf between full-time, professional waterpolo players and those who indulge in the game on a part-time basis was there to be seen as Malta met their Waterloo in the 2008 Comen Cup when...
Malta 6
RN Sori 16
(3-6, 2-5, 1-3, 0-2)
It was to be expected. The gulf between full-time, professional waterpolo players and those who indulge in the game on a part-time basis was there to be seen as Malta met their Waterloo in the 2008 Comen Cup when they succumbed to the strong Italian top division team Rari Nantes Sori.
The Italians' skills could never be matched by an otherwise plucky Maltese team who could only fight an uphill battle against the visitors. RN Sori netted almost every time they had possession early in the match and also had a perfect man-up card.
Not so the Maltese, who did find the net on their first three extra-man sets but thereafter went to tatters when they missed all the other seven occasions they were a man up, including a penalty.
Nevertheless, they tried hard, encouraged by a good turnout on the stands which was complemented by the organised supporters of South End Core fame.
The first part of the opening session was evenly-balanced as Malta responded every time they went in arrears, capitalising on their man-up occasions. However, after equalising for the third time, the Maltese were overran by the Italians' overdrive.
Heiko Nossek, six goals, and Pietro Figlioli, five goals, tormented the Maltese rearguard with accurate potting from every position, especially beyond the five-metre mark. The efforts of Jonathan Valletta, once more the pick of the local team, and the very much improved Michele Stellini only worried the Italians in spasms.
At the end of the match, Dimitris Diathesopoulos, president of the Comen Cup committee, vice-president of LEN and FINA bureau member, presented the cup to RN Sori's captain Robert Dinu.
Malta
J. Cachia, N. Lanzon 2, E. Aquilina, P. Privitera, M. Meli, J. Soler, J. Borg, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono, J. Valletta 2, A. Grech, M. Stellini 2, M. Pisani.
RN Sori
R. Dinu, H. Van der Meer, D. Giorgi, P. Figlioli 5, A. Temellini, F. Cotella 1, H. Nossek 6, L. Marziali, M. Lapenna 1, E. Rezano 1, A. Nora 1, D. Parisi 1, C. Washburn.
Referees: D. Alban (France), I. Dorin (Switzerland).
Other results
Cyprus vs FNC Douai 2-18 (1-7, 0-5, 1-4, 0-2)
G. Britain vs CN Chania 6-10 (2-2, 1-3, 0-0, 3-5)
Final classification: 1. RN Sori; 2. Malta; 3. CN Chania; 4. Great Britain; 5. FNC Douai; 6. Switzerland; 7. Cyprus.