Malta fought bravely to uphold their pride when they met Ukraine in yesterday’s last match.

After leading for most of the proceedings they unfortunately threw in the towel at the end of an exciting contest to finish on the losing side by ten goals to eight.

It was a match in which the Maltese lost some concentration at the end and that coincided with a brave comeback from the visitors for whom Maxim Ratkov and Tymur Shylin shone with five and four goals respectively.

For Malta, Matthew Zammit stood out with a poker but the team effort was undone in the end.

The Maltese went for press right from the start, a ploy that stifled their opponents. Niki Lanzon and Steve Camilleri gave Malta a 2-0 headstart before Shylin reduced the deficit.

Michele Stellini converted a man-up to make it 3-1 at the end of the opening session.

Efficient cover at the back limited the Ukrainians’ options to conclude from ideal position. Meanwhile, the extra-man set-pieces were being exploited fairly well.

Lanzon netted his second and Matthew Zammit, his first, for a 5-1 lead midway through the second session.

In between two missed man-up sets for Malta, Ratkov reduced the gap to 5-2.

Ukraine revved up in the third session, especially after Matthew Zammit made it 6-3.

Shylin and Ratkov (twice) levelled the scores at 6-6.

It was getting to be quite nervy for Malta but Zammit drew cheers from the local when he scored his third goal to make it 7-6.

More of the same was expected in the last session.

After Shylin’s equaliser, Zammit grabbed his fourth for an 8-7 lead. Ratkov equalised as excitement continued building up.

Malta were awarded a penalty but Steve Camilleri missed amid frustration for the hosts.

In a grandstand finish. Ukraine failed to convert a man-up but they still went ahead for the first time with just over 100 seconds left.

Malta squandered their fourth numerical advantage 40 seconds from time. But not Ukraine who converted their last to make it 10-8.

Early in the day Georgia lived up to their tag of group favourites when they cantered to a 15- 8 victory over Ukraine.

Apart from a brief moment in the first session when Ukraine pulled back to 4-3, the gap between the two sides was underlined courtesy of Georgia’s well-timed swimming and spot on shooting.

Five-goal Marko Jelaca distinguished himself in this respect.

In the subsequent match, Israel put their error-strewn game against Malta on Friday completely behind them when they surprisingly cut Belarus down to size after their clearcut 16-3 victory.

Severe damage had already been inflicted on the losers in the opening two sessions when Israel took a 9-0 lead.

Yahel Murvitz Lahav, scorer of a nap-hand of goals continued to lead his team to an emphatic win.

In the evening session, Georgia eased their way to a comfortable win over Belarus.

At times, the Georgians did not go beyong cruising mode but all their outfield unit managed to insert their names on the scoresheet. Their opponents were several cuts below them.

Summaries

Belarus 3
Israel 16

(0-3, 0-6, 1-6, 2-1)

Belarus: K. Kavalevski, P. Khrypachov, R. Kapatsevich, A. Kharlap 1, T. Shapurav, S. Mihutski, V. Ivanov, I. Tumas, M. Chupryna 1, D. Charbashan, A. Fedaruk 1, V. Shantur.

Israel: G. Katzir, O. Polatsek 1, I. Keren, G. Strugo 1, I. Goldschmidt 2, O. Keren 1, D. Eros 2, E. Shotham, R. Yuval 2, Y. Murvitz Lahav 5, Y. Zonanstern 1, I. Peled 1, N. Cohen.

Refs: K. Dvoracek, L. Krol.

Georgia 15
Ukraine 8

(5-3, 3-0, 4-2, 3-3)

Georgia: Z. Chumburidze, M. Jelaca 5, D. Tsrepulia 2, M. Elez 2, G. Laitadze, B. Kavtaradze 1, G. Khvedeliani 1, M. Baghaturia, Z. Rurua 1, K. Gegelashvili 1, T. Nikoleishvili 2, M. Franichevic, B. Kapanadze.

Ukraine: V. Petrov, O. Tsvirkun, T. Shylin 1, M. Ratkov 1, O. Dyaduyura, S. Hrishyn 1, O. Abramov, D. Alyek-syeyev, V. Sytnyk 2, V. Voitenko 2, Y. Obedinskyy 1, V. Babaienko, D. Volonchuk.

Refs: L. Santos, D. Rozman.

Belarus 7
Georgia 24

(2-6, 1-6, 2-6, 2-6)

Belarus: K. Kavaleski, P. Khrypachov, R. Kapatsevich, A. Kharlap 1, T. Shapurav, S. Mihutski, V. Ivanov, I. Tumas 1, M. Chupryna 2, D. Charbashan 3, A. Fedaruk, V. Shantur.

Georgia: Z. Chumburidze, M. Jelaca 2, D. Tsrepulia 4, M. Elez 3, G. Laitadze 1, B. Kavtaradze 1, G. Khvedeliani 2, M. Baghaturia 2, Z. Rurua 2, K. Gegelashvili 4, T. Nikoleishvili 2, M. Franichevic 1, B. Kapanadze.

Refs: L. Santos, K. Dvoracek.

Ukraine 10
Malta 8

(1-3, 1-2, 4-2, 4-1)

Ukraine: V. Petrov, O. Tsvirkun, T. Shylin 4, M. Ratkov 5, O. Dyadyura, S. Hrishyn, O. Abramov, D. Alyeksyeyev, V. Sytnyk, V. Voitenko, Y. Obedinskyy 1, V. Babaienko, D. Volonchuk.

Malta: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, J. Gabaretta, M. Stellini 1, M. Meli, M. Zammit 4, S. Camilleri 1, J. Camilleri, J. Brownrigg, S. Gravina, T. Sullivan, D. Zammit, D. Camilleri.

Refs: D. Rozman, L. Krol.

Today’s fixtures
Israel vs Ukraine - 9.30am
Malta vs Georgia - 10.45am

Standings

  P W D L F A Pts
Georgia 3 3 0 0 52 23 9
Ukraine 3 2 0 1 31 28 6
Malta 3 1 0 2 29 25 3
Israel 3 1 0 2 28 27 3
Belarus 4 1 0 3 26 63 3

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