Malta national coach Karl Izzo yesterday named a provisional squad of 17 players ahead of the European Championship semi-final play-off tie against France.
The national team are set to step up their preparations for the two-legged semi-final play-off against the French which gets under way with the opening leg in Montpellier on Saturday, Feburary 15.
Malta champions Neptunes are the most represented team in Izzo’s squad with seven players, including their prolific goalscorer Steve Camilleri, who is also on the books of Serie A1 side Bogliasco.
Clint Mercieca, of Neptunes, is the only new face in Izzo’s selection while his club team-mate Michele Stellini is back in the squad after missing the last qualification tournament played in Portugal late last year.
The ASA yesterday said that the national team will start with daily training sessions as from next Monday. National coach Izzo will then trim his squad to 13 players ahead of the team’s departure to France on Friday, February 14.
Malta will host France in the return leg on March 1 with the winner progressing to the European Championship finals which will be held in Budapest in July.
The squad
Exiles: J. Spiteri Staines.
Neptunes: T. Agius; J. Camilleri; S. Camilleri; A. Borg Cole; M. Stellini; N. Lanzon; C. Mercieca.
San Giljan: D. Camilleri; D. Zammit; M. Zammit.
Sliema: A. Attard; J. Brownrigg; J. Gabarretta; M. Meli; T. Sullivan.
Valletta: R. Sciortino.