The women’s national handball team is currently in Bulgaria to take part in the IHF/EHF Challenge Trophy which comes to a close on Sunday.
This is the side’s third official appearance in this competition after playing in Cyprus (2008) and Israel (2010).
Malta will face tough opponents in the qualifying stage as they have been drawn in Group B along with Israel, Faroe Islands and Estonia. Bulgaria, Latvia, Moldova and Armenia make up Group A.
Group matches get underway today with Malta taking on Israel who won the previous two direct encounters 38-17 and 35-9.
Classification matches are scheduled for next Sunday.
The national team, mainly composed of newcomers, is under the guidance of coach Joe Tanti and his no.2 Anthony Xuereb. Accompanying the squad in Bulgaria are team manager Anne Naudi and physio Analise Cassar.