After three fine displays in the tournament at Tal-Qroqq, Malta could not maintain their un-beaten streak when facing Great Britain on the final day, yesterday.

The Maltese had to bow to opponents who finished with a clean sheet to win the event.

Needing a victory to finish at the top of the standings, the local side knew that they had a difficult task when confronting a team that has shown marked improvement in recent years.

They were almost on a par with their opponents until late in the second session, with the opportunistic Jerome Gabarretta having reached a hat-trick.

In an eventful third session two players from each side (M. Meli and M. Zammit for Malta) were excluded with substitution after a flare-up. Both coaches were also red-carded.

The score was then 7-6 for the visitors. A galvanised Malta then scored twice through Niki Lanzon and the reliable Jordan Camilleri before Britain drew level with a fourth goal from James Ciaran.

It was an anti-climax for Izzo’s team as they conceded the last session 4-3.

Earlier, Israel beat Sette Scogli 16-15.

Malta 11
Great Britain 12

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

Malta: A Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, J Gabarretta 4, T. Sullivan 1, M. Meli, M. Zammit 1, J. Spiteri Staines, J. Camilleri 2, J. Brownrigg 1, A. Attard, J.C. Cutajar, D. Zammit 1, R. Sciortino.

Final standings: Great Britain 12; Netherlands, Malta 7; Israel 3; Sette Scogli 0.