Switzerland 4
Malta 10

(0-1, 1-2, 1-2, 2-5)

Malta rounded up their commitments in the third round of the qualifying tournaments to the European Championship with a fine 10-4 win over Switzerland, in Porto, yesterday.

There was no doubt as to where victory was heading as the national team were physically, technically and tactically superior to their opponents.

Six-goal Steve Camilleri provided most of the punch in attack while zone marking in defence only allowed the Swiss to take their chances from the distance.

Malta coach Karl Izzo utilised all players available.

The team finished in third place in the standings behind Georgia and Slovakia and ahead of Portugal, Belarus and Switzerland.

ASA president Joe Caruana Curran was present for the match yesterday.

He congratulated the team for their victory and thanked the players and coaching staff for their commitment especially in what has been a particularly long season of waterpolo.

Late Saturday, Malta were made to fight hard to shrug off the strong opposition coming from a much improved Portuguese side.

The hosts, backed by a vociferous home crowd, were determined to avenge their defeat against Malta in Denmark earlier this year but in the end Izzo’s men prevailed 8-6 with Jordan Camilleri contributing with four goals.

The national team players will now take a deserved break and re-assemble in January ahead of next year’s commitments.