Malta Squash has selected the players who will form part of this year's national team for the forthcoming international tournaments.

In Poznan, Poland, Malta will be taking part in the European Nations Challenge Cup in which 16 teams are expected to compete.

The Maltese women's team, who have won this tournament in Latvia 2007, will consist of former Malta champions Annabelle Olivieri Monroe and Theresa Camilleri, winners of the Malta title in 2008 and 2009 respectively, a very fit Johanna Rizzo and current under 15 champion Colette Sultana.

The team looks strong and the players are hoping to regain the title after last year's absence.

The men's national team selection will include professional player Brad Hindle Deguara, presently ranked number 64 in the world and winner of the Malta Open this year, former Malta Open winners Mike Fiteni and Bernard Bugeja and Carl Camilleri.

This will be Camilleri's first ever call-up to the national team.

In a Malta Squash statement, national coach and team manager Ivan Balzan said he is hoping for medals in both categories.

"This will be a good starting point for preparation ahead of the Commonwealth Games in India next year and, more importantly, the Games of the Small States of Europe in Liechtenstein in 2011 where squash is expected to boost the medals tally for Malta as we did in 2003," Balzan added.

The men's national team will also take part in the European Small Nations tournament at the Marsa Sports Club in mid-October.

For this competition, the squad will also include Mark Lupi, Steve Schranz, James Bonello Ghio and Steve Rizzo.

The men's team have not won the gold medal in this tournament since 1997 in Hungary. However, with Deguara playing at number one, Malta's chances are very good, Malta Squash said.