Malta 6
France 20
(1-6, 2-2, 3-6, 0-6)
For France this was supposed to be a cooling off match. Or so one thought.
Their task of proceeding to the finals of the LEN Euro 2014 at the expense of the Maltese had been virtually accomplished two weeks ago in Montpellier after their very comfortable 20-8 victory.
In this scenario Malta’s priority was restricted to restoring some sort of pride after their creditable results in the earlier rounds and their subsequent seventh placing out of 16 teams in November’s qualifiers.
It was a question of whether Karl Izzo’s team had the mental and physical ability to put up a commendable fight.
However, it turned out to be another mauling as our boys were again submerged under an avalanche of goals against strong opponents who could well aspire for a high-ranking place in the continental order of merit come summer.
Frankly, it was too much to expect a positive result, even if we should lament an error-strewn outing by our players, compounded by the definite dismissal of two of our top players in the third session.
The visitors were off to a ruthless opening. They were 6-1 up as Mickael Bodegas opened his account – he eventually reached a nap-hand of goals – and Malta were already up against it and unable to shake off France’s very stringent press.
At least the loose covering in front of Alan Borg Cole was partially remedied in the second quarter as Malta shared four goals with their opponents.
Malta’s goals until then had been netted by Steve Camilleri (penalty), his brother, Jordan, and Matthew Zammit.
Malta were again undone in the third session, especially when Niki Lanzon was red-carded for dissent after Steve Camilleri had been pulled up for his second personal fault.
Camilleri himself was caught on a third major foul moments later.
The third quarter had closed on 14-6, with Lanzon, Steve Camilleri and Jerome Gabarretta scoring our goals. Malta now had a big rock to push up the hill in terms of limiting the damage.
Further misery was heaped as the French kept up their uncompromising momentum to strike six more times against the increasingly faltering hosts.
Malta: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, J. Gabarretta 1, M. Stellini, M. Meli, M. Zammit 1, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 1, J. Brownrigg, T. Sullivan, C. Mercieca, D. Zammit, R. Sciortino.
France: J. Moriame, R. Saudadier, A Jablonski, E. Khasz 1, R. Blary 3, T. Simon 2, M. Peisson 1, M. Laversanne 2, M. Marzouki 2, M. Bodegas 5, L. Jeleff 1, A. Camarasa 3, R. Garsau.
Referees: P. De Jong (Netherlands), A. Brosovszki (Romania).