Luxembourg retain Euro title

Luxembourg maintained their dominance in the girls' junior category after winning the European Small Countries Division on home court last weekend.

This follows Luxembourg's triumphs in 2006, in San Marino, and two years ago in Liechtenstein. Cyprus were again the runners-up, repeating the placing obtained in the last two editions while Liechtenstein settled for third to confirm the top three of Vaduz in 2008.

Following the victory over Ireland in the first match, the Maltese girls were unable to win other matches in the tournament, succumbing to three 0-3 upsets which left them in fourth place in the standings ahead of bottom-placed Ireland.

The Maltese team, assisted by Kunsill Malta għall-Isport, was made up of Raissa Abela, Lara Caruana, Roxette Caruana, Daniela Ellul, Anna Grech, Daniela Grech, Leanne Spiteri and Sarah Spiteri.

Of great satisfaction to the team and the MVA contingent in Luxembourg were the nominations of some Maltese players in individual awards.

Best server: Alejandra Maldonado (Liechtenstein), 4. Roxette Caruana.

Best receiver: Alejandra Maldonado (Liechtenstein), 3. Lara Caruana, 4. Denise Grech.

Best setter: Michele Breuer (Luxembourg).

Best spiker: Liz Alliaume (Luxembourg).

Best blocker: Betty Hoffmann (Luxembourg), 5. Leanne Spiteri.

Best libero: Ioanna Lapa (Cyprus).

Best scorer: Manolina Constantinou (Cyprus), 5. Roxette Caruana, 9. Anna Grech.

MVP: Nathalie Braas (Luxembourg).

Final standings: 1. Luxembourg, 2. Cyprus, 3. Liechtenstein, 4. Malta, 5. Ireland.