A steadily improving Malta ended their Euro Junior Championships commitments when they tasted their first success in a tournament which definitely served to enhance their learning curve.

This 14-12 victory over Belarus in a match valid for 15th place provided evidence that the Maltese do have some promising talent emerging.

More than that, this match was a test of character for the boys, if anything for the fact that they overcame the mental handicap of having an 11-7 lead nullified towards the end of the normal time, only to bounce back in the extra mini sessions.

All the boys with no exception deserve credit for their effort, even if they could not compete against the elite teams in Europe.

Malta were off to a tottering start when conceding three goals in the first session.

The team changed gear in the second quarter as they shifted to tighter press. Within three minutes, three goals from Mark Grech levelled matters before the impressive Andrea Galea put Malta ahead.

However, Belarus made it 4-4 before the four-minute interval.

The transformation in the Maltese side was kept up in the third session. Galea reached his hat-trick with two quick goals, John Napier and Michele Mifsud netting once each for an 8-4 lead.

Belarus pulled two goals back before a backhand from Galea and a lob from Michele Mifsud on the stroke of time brought the third session to an end with the Maltese 10-6 in front.

It was the turn of Belarus to go for all-pitch press. Anthony Farrugia’s boys grew hesitant and apprehensive after taking an 11-7 lead with five minutes left.

Suddenly the team collapsed and suffered four goals in succession, even contriving to lose a penalty when 11-10 in front less than two minutes from the end.

Into extra-time and the Maltese were a revived lot. They opened a 14-11 lead in the first mini-period through goals from Nicky Paris, Ben Plumpton and Grech (his fifth).

At this point the team was not to be outdone.

They managed to administer their advantage admirably, conceding a 12th goal to finish 14-12 winners amid the satisfaction of the Maltese supporters.

Yesterday’s other results determined the placings in the bottom half of the contestants’ list. Greece finished in the ninth position, one above Romania whom they beat 9-7 in the last match.

The 11th place went to Germany, winners over France.

Georgia preceded Ukraine in the 13th spot while Malta finished in the penultimate position ahead of bottom-placed Belarus.

Summary

Belarus 12
Malta 14

(aet; 3-0, 1-4, 2-6, 5-1, 0-3, 1-0)

Belarus: S. Tsybulka, P. Khrypachou 4, V. Velichka 1, I. Rabzko, P. Shapurau 1, A. Turkin, K. Palavinets 1, H. Kavaliov 1, I. Tumas 4, K. Averka, K. Martynenka, I. Myzheuskikh, Y. Babkov.

Malta: Z. Sciberras, M. Lanzon, A. Galea 4, M. Mifsud 2, M. Grech 5, B. Plumpton 1, N. Paris 1, G. Mizzi, J. Napier 1, M. Zammit, A. Mifsud, N. Bugelli, D. Spiteri.

Refs: S. Galindo, I. Kikalishvili.

Classification matches

Ukraine 8
Georgia 12

(0-4, 3-1, 2-4, 3-3)

Germany 11
France 8

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

Romania 7
Greece 9

(1-2, 3-1, 3-4, 0-2)