With last week’s LEN Euro Cup giving an indication that the improvement curve of the national team is on the rise, it will again be testing time for the Maltese as they are set to play four matches in as many days in a high-profile international tournament at the National Pool, Tal-Qroqq, between today and Saturday.

Great Britain, Israel, the Netherlands and a Sicilian Selection will provide opposition in what will be the last preparatory outings for Malta before they travel to Portugal for the Euro Championship 2014 Qualification Tournament III between November 7 and 10.

Coach Karl Izzo will be able to assess further the technical and physical levels of our players who will do their best to overcome the handicap of playing out of season, unlike our opponents, in the next jam-packed schedule which envisages nine matches in 12 days, including five in Portugal.

From what could be seen in the LEN Cup, when the team played under the name of Valletta WPC, there was adequate improvement.

A well-knit rearguard has been a base for forceful driving when in possession, while improved passing when approaching the opposing goal and man-up set play were also evident.

A revelation has been the striking form of powerhouse left-hander Matthew Zammit, who netted nine goals from three matches, while the impressive playmaking of captain Niki Lanzon in what could be regarded as an unusual role assigned to him by Izzo, was another high point.

Goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole was also a source of inspiration with a series of instinctive saves, while all the others were able to contribute to the team who were unlucky not to at least obtain two draws from the three matches played.

Programme

Today: 18.30 Great Britain vs Israel; 20.00 Malta vs Netherlands.

Tomorrow: 18.30 Great Britain vs Netherlands; 20.00 Malta vs Sicily.

Friday: 10.30 Great Britain vs Sicily; noon Netherlands vs Israel; 18.30 Netherlands vs Sicily; 20.00 Malta vs Israel.

Saturday: 16.00 Israel vs Sicily; 17.30 Malta vs Great Britain.