Malta’s U-17 team rounded up their Euro Junior Championship qualifying commitments on an uplifting note yesterday after beating the Czech Republic 15-5 in their final match in Kiev.

After three straight defeats at the hands of Israel (7-8), Russia (8-30) and hosts Ukraine (6-14) in the Group D tournament, the Maltese youngsters produced their best performance of to dominate their game against the Czechs, winning all four sessions 5-1, 2-1, 4-2, 4-1.

Captain Dino Zammit, son of former player Mario Zammit, scored five of Malta’s 15 goals yesterday. Nicholas Portelli hit three and Luke Caruana and Marc Grech notched a brace each.

Kyle Debattista, Aleandro Mifsud and Michael Paris were the other scorers for the Maltese team that was under the guidance of coach Karl Izzo and his assistant Anthony Farrugia.

Zammi’s tally of 12 goals made him joint top-scorer of the tournament with Abramov of the Ukraine.

Russia were in a class of their own in Kiev, topping the group with a maximum of 12 points from four games. Ukraine suffered only one defeat, 15-7 to Russia, to finish second on nine points, three ahead of Israel (6) and six above Malta (3). The Czech Republic had no points.

Russia and Ukraine have qualified for the finals to be held in Croatia in September.

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