Unbeaten Malta top group

Malta 11
Georgia 5
(4-3, 4-1, 2-1, 1-0)

Having already gained a berth in September's 'B' European finals in Lugano, Malta and Georgia were locked in a prestige tussle to determine the winner of this qualification group.

A splendid collective showing from the Maltese, sparked mainly by the irresistible Steve Camilleri, earned the hosts a deserved win and a morale booster ahead of the 12-team finals during which Malta will again face a possibly re-shaped Georgia.

Camilleri was again the mastermind behind this solid victory for his country. His six goals, bringing his tally to a staggering 22 in three matches, must have earned him the unofficial accolade of player of the tournament. He was simply head and shoulders above all the other players, including yesterday's match.

However, victory also came courtesy of an excellent collective game which had the Maltese yielding very little in defence, where goalkeeper Josie Cachia stood out, only to pounce with clinical precision when in possession.

The sizeable crowd must have felt satisfied with the progress of the team. It was a brisk start as Malta netted four times on their man-up sets with Georgia responding with three goals to stay one goal in arrears at the end of the first session.

Sergio Afric's team clearly held the upperhand in the second quarter, mostly courtesy of three goals from the powerful hands of Camilleri.

The basis for this second session's superiority was the locals' very good blocking and their ability to exploit openings in the offensive phase.

The third session developed into a tighter scoring affair. Nevertheless, Camilleri kept distinguishing himself as a top-class player with two more goals, one of which splendidly engineered with John Soler. That made it 10-5 with one session to go.

With the hosts comfortably in the lead, Malta's star player was given a well-deserved rest for the initial part of the fourth session. Meanwhile, the visitors' complement was drained as three of their players had been fouled out.

With time running out and the locals more intent on utilising the possession period to the full, victory was secure for Malta.

The chanting from the terraces was a fitting climax to this qualification group, even if a skirmish at the end of the match between the Georgian players and a section of local supporters, who reacted to the foreign players' apparent abusive gestures, was soon defused.

Malta: J. Cachia, N. Lanzon, M. Zammit, P. Privitera 2, M. Meli, J. Soler 1, S. Camilleri 6, J. Brownrigg, J. Borg, J. Valletta 1, M. Pisani 1, M. Stellini, N. Gouder.

Georgia: Z. Shumburidze, V. Kenkadze, G. Kotarvia, N. Rapava, G. Laitanze 1, I. Tutikashvili, G. Khvedeliani 1, I. Tatishvili, Z. Rurva 1, K. Gegelashvili, P. Nikoleishvili 2, P. Japarigzi, N. Asatiani.

Other result: Finland vs Ireland 2-4 (0-1, 0-1, 2-1, 0-1).

Standings: Malta 6; Georgia 4; Ireland 2; Finland 0.